BURUNDI :
RWANDA
Rwanda Genocide: Lessons For Human Rights Advocacy By Amii Omara-Otunnu /blackstarnews.com/February 2, 2010 [Issues Of Principle] On April 7, politically conscious human rights advocates all over the world will join the people of Rwanda to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the most intense genocide in known human history. It was in the aftermath of the genocide, for which the international community was found more than wanting, that the General Assembly of the United Nations designated April 7, as the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda. On the Day people all over the world are supposed to at least observe a minute of silence at noon local time in each time zone. As we prepare to commemorate the grotesque inhumanity of human beings to others, what lesions, if any, have we learnt from the genocide? Before we attempt to draw lessons from what happened during the genocide, it is necessary first to recall the basic facts about the human catastrophe. In April 1994, within the space of one month, close to one million Rwandans, mostly of Tutsi identity, were slaughtered in cold blood in broad day light. During the killing spree, which was broadcast on television every day all over the world, the international community and in particular the great powers that had the capacity to act, maintained If we are to commemorate the Rwanda genocide in any meaningful manner, we must ask why the international community maintained a thunderous silence, when 50 years earlier the world had said “never again,” following the holocaust of the Jews. Was it because, as Hegel observed, that “What experience and history teach is this, that nations and governments have A review of human rights history shows that a fundamental problem with human rights advocacy is twofold. The first is, a definitional problem, namely, who is accepted or included in the category of “human.” Here, the Orwellian double-speak language in Animal Farm captures the gist of the problem at best: some people are more human than others. In the worst case A few notable examples will illustrate the point. In 1957 in the USA in the case of Dred Scott, the Supreme Court ruled that a slave who was seeking freedom, was not entitled to human rights or legal redress afforded by the Constitution because the writers of the Constitution did not consider a Black human being a juridical person. There is some truth to the assertion, because at the time slaves were regarded by their White masters as chattel property. Similarly, after World War II, when Mahatma Gandhi was mobilizing Indians to claim their legitimate right of self determination, Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister otherwise renowned as champion of freedom, told his Secretary of State for the Colonies that the right to self determination enunciated in the Atlantic Charter of 1941 was not meant to be applicable to Indians, African or Arabs. Why? According to Churchill, Indians, Arabs and Africans were somehow not “people” enough, qualified to exercise the right. The dehumanization of the “other” occurs often in situation of wars, whereby people on the opposing side are not regarded as quite human. It is the psychology of dehumanization, for whatever reason, that allows military ruthlessness against other people. Without the psychology, without military people dehumanizing the “other”, it would be difficult to kill at will other people who are just as human. In the case the Rwanda genocide, as a prelude to the despicable atrocities, the Tutsi were first dehumanized. For the perpetrators of the genocide, the Tutsi were referred to as cockroaches and not as fellow Rwandans. Could it be that for different perverted historical rationale, the great Western powers that had the capacity to intervene and prevent the genocide, did not act because they did not regard the lives of Rwandans –Africans– as worth defending because they were not quite human? Couched as a question, could the Western powers have tolerated a genocide of that magnitude in Europe or against European people? The second component of the problem of human rights advocacy is the fetish of self-interest. More often than should be acceptable or reasonable, human rights Western advocates and governments tend to take action only when their interests coincide with those of people whose human rights are being violated. The obverse is the case: they shy away from acting when Here, we seem not to have learnt from history. Take the case of the Jewish holocaust. The fact of the matter is that persecution of Jews that was set in train in the 1930s and was to lead obscenely to the holocaust was not secret to most Western powers. Most if not all maintained deafening silence and did not act robustly against Hitler because they were keen to protect their self-interests. By the time they decided to act, arguably out of self-interest, millions of Jews had been gassed to death. Put Similarly in 1994, it would seem that the lives of thousands of Rwandans were sacrificed on the same altar of self-interest. Here again, the plain fact is as clear as the tropical high noon. From the beginning of the genocide, Western news media –television– brought the gruesome killings to our rooms every day. Yet the great powers with the capacity to make a positive difference did not intervene, most likely because they deemed it was not in their self-interest, however self-interest is defined. As if we have not learnt the lesson of history, more recently, a number of Western human rights groups and the media, have sought to disproportionately direct a search light on the plight of homosexuals in the continent. Although homophobia should be tackled in Africa, it cannot properly be dealt with without taking into account the entire spectrum of human rights in the continent or in a particular country. Without prejudicing the case for the human rights of homosexuals in Africa, it would seem that Western human rights groups and the media have embarked on relentless mobilization on the issue because it coincides with their self-interests. Otherwise, how can these same groups and the media explain their relative silence on graver human rights violations, such as the ones that occurred in Northern Uganda for two decades, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in Ethiopia under the current regime? Unfortunately, with a twist of irony, some of the same human rights groups and the media which did not act with vigor during the genocide have recently alleged that the government of Rwanda is intolerant to homosexuals. Having just returned from Rwanda where we conducted a 10-day human rights forum for young human rights leaders from all over the world, during which time we asked President Paul Kagame directly whether the government was going to cri In fact, on December 19, 2009, Tharcisse Karugarama, the Minister of Justice made an unambiguous statement on the issue that government had no intention to criminalize homosexual acts, saying that sexual orientation is a private matter not a state business. Both the statements by President Paul Kagame and by Justice Minister Karugarama can easily be verified. The tarnishing of the record of the government of Rwanda on human rights with the allegation is particularly sad given the manifold achievements the government has registered. The achievements of the government of Rwanda speak far more eloquently than any malicious allegations aimed at scoring political points. A few examples can illustrate the facts. Probably no government in the world can boast of empowerment of women on the scale achieved by the government of Rwanda. The figures are simply astounding. For example, more than 56% of legislators in the lower chamber of Parliament are women and well over 30% of Cabinet Ministers are women. The Government of Rwanda’s fight against corruption is second to none, and would be the envy of governments the world over. It is fair to say that few, if any governments, in the world have vigorously campaigned against corruption and done all that is humanly possible to ensure transparency and accountability than the government of Rwanda. Equally significant is the government of Rwanda’s record on decentralization and involvement of people in decision making at the grass roots, as well as consolidation of post-conflict governance. Indeed, Rwanda has put in place practical and tested solutions to conflict management and prevention that should be supported and admired by all who care about the welfare of the people. Indeed, based on knowledge of contemporary African history, it is fair to conclude that if Africa had about 10 leaders of President Kagame’s focused commitment to the welfare of people, intolerance to corruption and discipline in building durable institutions, the continent would realize it potentials for human security and investment. In short, on balance, the people of Rwanda, under enlightened leadership committed to the service of society and grounded in the African communitarian ethics of ubuntu, have from the ashes of the genocide risen like a tidal wave to write a new chapter in the annals of peace and reconciliation, in which all humanity should take pride. Given the progressive strides made following the genocide, the people of Rwanda deserve our solidarity rather than selective moralizing on issues that pale in significance when compared with the actual achievements of the government and people in the context of otherwise very difficult set of circumstances. As we approach the 16th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide, a great lesson of the genocide is that rather than opportunistically sacrifice human rights on the altar of self interests or definition that excludes other people from the category of humanity, we should train ourselves to transcend the various provincial caves we find ourselves in. The allegorical caves could be caves of racism, ethnic chauvinism, national jingoism, patriarchy, homophobia, classism, or adhoc interests. If we are to realize the vision and notion of human rights as universal, indivisible and interdependent and if we are to properly pay tribute to the indomitable spirit of the Rwandan people, we should stand in principled solidarity with them. With the memory of the genocide in the background, we should extend hands of solidarity and support to the people of Rwanda who are doing their mighty best to scale the odds to fashion a new dawn for the reconciliation and renewal of society in which people can find space to live in peace and harmony. Only with demonstrable and principled solidarity with the people of Rwanda can we do some justice to the Day of Reflection in April, and in the process expand the frontiers of human rights rather than undermine its practical ideals and appeals. Dr. Amii Omara-Otunnu is the UNESCO Chair in Human Rights and Professor of History, University of Connecticut, USA Africa: Kagame Attends AFDB/WB ICT Roundtable Kigali — On the second day of the ongoing AU summit in Addis Ababa, President Paul Kagame, along with other Heads of State, participated in a discussion on ICT on the continent, co-organized by the African Development Bank and the World Bank. The working breakfast chaired by AfDB President Donald Kaberuka and WB President Robert Zoellick, focused on ways ICT can have an impact on the continent beyond infrastructure and how the two institutions can increase their support in improving interconnection between African countries. It was also revealed that the East African Centre for Excellence for ICT is to be set up in Rwanda, and that the project is already well under way. President Kagame later in the day participated in a luncheon organized by the Alliance of African Leaders against Malaria (ALMA) where the Heads of State discussed the current situation of Malaria on the continent. Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo who was at the lunch said: “This event drew many Heads of State whose countries have been active in implementing preventive mechanisms for malaria. Rwanda of course is one of the countries that have registered significant success with relatively easy mechanisms, including the use of insecticide impregnated nets and some level of control of social and municipal structures. This meeting was a way to ensure that the momentum in this anti-malaria program continues.” In addition to the events held today, President Kagame also met with US Assistant Secretary of State, Johnnie Carson, where among other issues they discussed the much-improved relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and ongoing efforts to develop economic cooperation such as joint extraction of methane gas in Lake Kivu. On the situation in Darfur, President Kagame pointed out the need to reinforce UNAMID to improve the effectiveness of the peacekeeping mission in which more than 3000 Rwandan troops deployed. Also discussed was climate change and the concerns as well as potential contribution of African countries in fighting the threat of global warming.
UGANDA
Uganda Parliament To Discuss Heritage Oil Asset Sale Thursday online.wsj.com/FEBRUARY 2, 2010 Steven Mukitale Birahwa, head of the parliamentary committee on the national economy and a member of the natural resources committee, said that Hilary Onek, the minister of energy and minerals development, would address lawmakers on the current transactions in the sector on Thursday morning. “We have invited the minister and as parliament, we believe we should put our input in the process at this stage,” he said. UK-based Tullow Oil PLC (TLW.LN) announced on Jan. 26 that it had signed an agreement to buy Heritage’s Ugandan stake in blocks 1 and 3 A for as much as $1.5 billion, pre-empting Heritage’s previous deal with Italy-based Eni SpA (ENI.MI). The Ugandan government is supposed to endorse the deal, and a final decision is expected to be announced later this week. However, some lawmakers have accused the government of acting secretly in dealings with oil companies over the matter, a situation they say could eventually turn the resource into a curse. Kasiano Wadri, the opposition chief whip, said parliament has been “left in the dark” over the transactions, and there is a likelihood that the deals may not be in the best interests of the country. In December last year, Onek presented a ministerial statement to parliament about the proposed entry of Eni in the sector and said that government wants bigger companies to develop the downstream oil industry. Since then, however, the government hasn’t updated parliament on the transactions in the sector. -By Nicholas Bariyo, contributing to Dow Jones Newswires; 256-75-2624615 bariyonic@yahoo.co.uk Official Denies Uganda Troop Presence in Congo Peter Clottey/ www1.voanews.com /02 February 2010 An official of Uganda’s government has denied reports that its troops have entered into Beni town in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s formerly restive Kivu province. Uganda’s information minister Kabakumba Masiko says there is no need for residents in the Kivu provinces to panic. “There are no Uganda soldiers in DRC and I think there is no cause for alarm. What I know is around Christmas, we normally deploy some soldiers to patrol our borders. They could have strayed in Congo, but definitely, as we talk now there are no Ugandan soldiers in Congo, and there is no need for them to worry,” she said. Recently, the governments of Congo, Uganda, and Southern Sudan launched a joint offensive against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), an insurgent group out of northern Uganda, whose leaders have outstanding arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Analysts said, however, the offensive failed to arrest or kill the notorious LRA commander Joseph Kony. Masiko says the joint military offensive against armed groups in the region will continue. “The arrangement in the Great Lakes region is for all these countries not to host troops or rebels or whoever are hostile to a sister government. If you are talking about the old story, that was long ago when we were chasing Kony in DRC,” Masiko said. But residents of Beni, a town in the northeast of the DRC, report they have seen a battalion-size regiment of Ugandan troops in the area since December. Omari Kavota, a leading civil society activist in Beni town says residents are expressing skepticism about why the Ugandan troops are in their area. “I must tell you that there was a move of Ugandan soldiers in Congo. It was about one battalion composed of 560 persons. We are afraid, and the people are afraid (of the Uganda troop presence),” Kavota said. He said the leaders in the Beni community have alerted President Joseph Kabila’s government about the Ugandan troop presence. Kavota says residents want to be assured of their safety. “We have told the authorities that they should take troops to the border so that (the) people will be assured,” Kavota said.
TANZANIA:
CONGO RDC :
KENYA :
Cornell Students Bring Light to Kenya School
Thanks to a fundraising project led by 20 University students, these children, however, are no longer limited to learning during daylight hours. The project raised over $8,500 to bring solar-powered energy to the Mbaka Oromo Primary School, according to Prof. Cindy van Es, applied economics and management, director of the Business Opportunities in Leadership Diversity (BOLD) program. Eighteen of the students involved in the fundraising project are members of BOLD’s two-year Leadership Certificate Program (LCP), which requires them to complete a substantial community service project during their time at the University. This is the first community service project to be completed since the program’s establishment back in 2007. “There’s nothing in the world like seeing people get light for the first time and seeing the opportunity in their eyes,” said Marlene van Es ’11, who was there when the first light switch was turned on in the school. “You could see these people dreaming of all the things they could do now that they had [electricity].” Marlene is involved in the Partnership for African and Lansing Schools (PALS), which works to raise money for the Mbaka Oromo Primary School and promote the formation of cultural and personal ties between the students in Lansing and the students in Kenya. Since 2004, the PALS program has built a library, 10 new classrooms and an administrative office at the school in Mbaka Oromo. The school — located on the outskirts of Kisumu, one of the biggest cities in Kenya — is one of the poorest in the country. About 40 percent of the children who attend the school have been orphaned by the AIDS epidemic and many cannot afford lunch or even shoes. Despite the unfortunate circumstances of many of the children and the lack of resources the school had to offer them, Mbaka Oromo is the top performing school in its district, scoring better than 1,000 other schools on the 8th grade assessment exam even before the intervention of the BOLD and PALS programs, said Prof. Cindy van Es. “The principal of the school wouldn’t let the students say ‘oh we’re orphans and we’re poor,’” said Marlene. “He kept telling them, ‘if we are the best in the world then people will notice.’” It was this resolve that motivated Cornell’s LCP students to find a way to bring electricity and new computers to Mbaka Oromo. The LCP students teamed up with alumnus Darragh Caldwell ’04 and Christopher Clark, the founder of Sunflower Solutions — a company that provides a more efficient and less expensive method of harnessing solar energy — to facilitate their goals. After hearing about the LCP students’ project, Caldwell offered to donate the solar installation system that Clark had created if they could raise $8,500 for the cost of the panels and installation. Had the students opted for a regular rooftop solar panel system rather than Clark’s ground-based system, it would have cost them an extra $5,000, according to van Es. In order to raise the money, the students broke up into three teams, each dedicated to a different aspect of the project. One of the teams held a silent auction in New York City, attended by over 100 Cornell alumni. Another team entered and won a competition called the True Hero Contest, which awards money to different community service projects on the basis of how many votes they receive from the general public. These combined efforts ultimately met the students’ fundraising goals and allowed the procurement of five refurbished computers from the University libraries. Once the money and computers had been collected, Marlene, along with her friend Peter Kelly ’11, spent six weeks in Kenya last May to make sure the installation of the solar panels by Sunflower Solutions went successfully. The two devoted time and labor to help improve the school. They worked on an erosion control system involving a series of dams and trenches, which would prevent the flow of run-off water from flooding the school and eroding the building’s foundation as it had done in the past. They also interacted with the teachers, sat in on lessons, set up the computer lab, taught the students and teachers how to use the computers and helped the people adjust to the new technologies available to them, Kelly said. Although the LCP students, who will be graduating in May, are done with their community service project, PALS is continuing to work with the people of Mbaka Oromo to make sure their children have the resources to match their determination to learn. “This trip to Kenya has changed me forever and I look at the world we live in now and feel much more fortunate and gracious for the cards I’ve been dealt,” said Kelly, “Not everyone is as fortunate as all of us and it is essential that we continue to help these people in any way we can.”
ANGOLA :
Egypt Celebrates 3rd Straight African Title Egypt enhanced its reputation as one of the continent’s best sides by winning the title for a record seventh time after a 1-0 victory over Ghana in the final Sunday in Luanda, Angola. But for all its mastery at the African cup, Egypt has consistently failed to qualify for world soccer’s showcase event. Its last appearance at the World Cup came in 1990 in Italy. Egypt’s most recent qualifying flop came in November, when it was beaten 1-0 in a playoff by Algeria to miss out on the finals in South Africa. Its World Cup failure contrasted starkly with its dominance in Angola, a performance that led to coach Hassan Shehata calling his side the greatest ever in African soccer on Sunday. When asked about the World Cup disappointment Shehata gave only a shrug of the shoulders. Egypt’s success in Angola, however, did have something of a World Cup feel to it. It thumped Algeria, 4-0, in the semi-final in Benguela and beat three other World Cup-bound teams — Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria — en route to the title. “This makes our success even better because it was the most difficult competition for us, having to beat four teams who have qualified for the World Cup,” Shawki Gharib, an assistant coach, said. Earlier in the tournament, captain Ahjmed Hassan, named player of the tournament for a second time, insisted that winning three African titles was more impressive than going to the World Cup. “It is true to say that every player dreams of playing at the Word Cup, but I think three Nations Cup titles is better than the World Cup, where you probably play three games and go home,” he said. Reuters Togo government to fight ‘insulting’ Nations Cup ban 2 February 2010/news.bbc.co.uk The Confederation of African Football (Caf) suspended the Hawks and fined them $50,000 for withdrawing after a gun attack on the team bus in Angola. On Sunday, Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor called the decision “outrageous”. Government spokesman Pascal Bodjona did not confirm what action Togo will take. Two members of Togo’s delegation were killed in the ambush on 8 January, two days before the tournament began. Following the attack there followed a period of confusion, but the players were ultimately called home for three days of national mourning by their government. But Caf deemed that move amounted to political interference, leading to Saturday’s sanction. Bodjona said the team asked to come home after the attack. However, Adebayor said they wanted to stay for the tournament, but were ordered home. “This [Caf’s] decision is outrageous,” Adebayor told French newspaper L’Equipe on Sunday. The Manchester City striker claimed Caf’s Cameroonian president Issa Hayatou had “completely betrayed” the Togo squad. “Mr Hayatou has served Africa extensively, but now he must be released [from the post],” added Adebayor. However, 25-year-old Adebayor retorted: “They do not care about the voice of the world. “It was our head of state (Faure Gnassingbe) who sent us to the African Cup of Nations to defend the colours of our country. “He said the threat surrounding our squad had not gone and told us to return to our country. We are only ambassadors. We were obliged to return, and there was nothing we could do.” Togo’s French coach, Hubert Velud, has also expressed astonishment at the decision, saying he wants to know whether Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa chief Michel Platini support the ban. “I am curious to know if Blatter and Platini will endorse this decision,” said Velud. “If they let this go, it is the gateway to completely dysfunctional football. I officially launched an appeal to international bodies to see their reaction.”
SOUTH AFRICA:
Imperial, Murray, Vodacom: South Africa Equity Market Preview Feb. 2 (Bloomberg) — The following is a list of companies whose shares may have unusual price changes in South Africa. Stock symbols are in parentheses after company names and prices are from the last close. South Africa’s FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index fell 188.47, or 0.7 percent, to 26,487.48 in Johannesburg, bringing the year’s total decline to 4.3 percent. Bidvest Group Ltd. (BVT SJ): The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa releases January’s vehicle sales data, having said last month that South African vehicle sales may rise in 2010 for the first time in four years. Bidvest, the auto dealer, lost 1.17 rand, or 0.9 percent, to 130 rand. Imperial Holdings Ltd. dropped 45 cents, or 0.6 percent, to 79.69 rand. BHP Billiton Ltd. (BIL SJ): Copper climbed from a 10-week low in Shanghai, as recent declines lured buyers from China, the world’s largest consumer. BHP, the world’s largest mining company, fell for a third day, sliding 2.90 rand, or 1.3 percent, to 225.10 rand. First Uranium Corp. (FUM SJ): The government of South Africa’s North West province has withdrawn its environmental authorisation for First Uranium’s new tailings storage facility. If the decision is not reversed the company’s financial position may be “severely compromised,” it said. First Uranium was unchanged at 16.15 rand. Murray & Roberts Holdings Ltd. (MUR SJ): South Africa’s largest construction and engineering company was raised to “overweight” from “equalweight” at Morgan Stanley, which cited the company’s growth outlook and valuation. Murray & Roberts climbed 68 cents, or 1.7 percent, to 40.20 rand. Sasol Ltd. (SOL SJ): Crude oil rose for a second day in New York after manufacturing in the U.S. increased at the fastest pace since August 2004, adding to signs that fuel use in the world’s biggest energy-consuming country may gain. Sasol, the world’s biggest maker of motor fuel from coal, climbed 3.01 rand, or 1.1 percent, to 290.01 rand. Shoprite Holdings Ltd. (SHP SJ): South Africa’s largest retailer by market value, was cut to “sell” from “hold” at Cadiz Securities by equity analyst Shamil Ismail. Shoprite rose 60 cents, or 0.9 percent, to 70.45 rand. Vodacom Group Ltd. (VOD SJ): The largest provider of mobile-phone services to South Africans said its mobile customers rose 9.5 percent to 40.5 million. The stock rose 24 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 54.74 rand. Woolworths Holdings Ltd. (WHL SJ): The food and clothing retailer was cut to “hold” from “buy” at Cadiz Securities by equity analyst Shamil Ismail. Woolworths fell 8 cents, or 0.4 percent, to 18.20 rand. Shares or American depositary receipts of the following South African companies closed as follows: Anglo American Plc (AAUKY US) rose 4.7 percent to $19. AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (AU US) climbed 3.8 percent to $37.04. BHP Billiton Plc (BBL US) advanced 4.4 percent to $61.18. DRDGold Ltd. (DROOY US) rose 7.4 percent to $5.97. Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI US) increased 6 percent to $12.10. Harmony Gold Mining Co. (HMY US) added 6.4 percent to $9.76. Impala Platinum Holdings Co. (IMPUY US) was little changed at $25.50. Sappi Ltd. (SPP US) rose 1.5 percent to $4.21. Sasol Ltd. (SSL US) climbed 5.9 percent to $38.76. ANC defends Jacob Zuma over ‘love-child’ claims 2 February 2010/news.bbc.co.uk The ANC said Mr Zuma had broken no laws and that there was “nothing shameful” in a relationship between two people. Opposition parties and newspapers have accused Mr Zuma of setting a bad example in a country battling an epidemic of HIV and Aids. One member of parliament urged him to seek treatment for “sex addiction”. Kenneth Meshoe said Mr Zuma should get help like “Tiger Woods did”. ‘Disingenuous’ South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper reported that the president, who has three wives and is engaged to a fourth, had fathered a girl born on 8 October 2009 with Sonono Khoza, 39, the daughter of the 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee boss Irvin Khoza. Mr Zuma, 67, was said to have paid compensation for the pregnancy, suggesting that he was not denying paternity. In several South African cultures, the father of a child born out of wedlock pays damages known as Inhlawulo to the family of the baby’s mother. Mr Zuma has so far not commented, but on Monday an ANC spokesman issued a statement tacitly confirming the president had fathered a child and asserting that it considered the matter private. “We are of the view that the media and some political commentators are making a mountain out of nothing,” Jackson Mthembu said. “Why should a relationship between two adults be made an issue? Why should it make headlines? Why is it characterised by some media as a ‘Shame to the nation’?” he asked, referring to the headline of an editorial in the Sowetan newspaper. Mr Mthembu said the criticism of the president was “disingenuous”. “There is nothing wrong that the president has done. There is nothing ‘shameful’ when two adults have a relationship,” he said. “By being involved with any other person, President Zuma is not guilty of any offence and he has not breached our constitution or any of our laws,” he added. The spokesman also said the ANC saw no links between its policies on HIV/Aids and Mr Zuma’s personal life. ‘Sending a message’ South Africa has the highest number of HIV infections in the world – more than 5 million people. Mr Zuma was praised last year when he announced major changes to the country’s Aids policy, which included increasing the roll-out of Antiretroviral drugs. But opposition parties now say his behaviour contradicts the government’s stance on HIV prevention – for example preaching regular condom use and faithfulness. “He is the one who is always preaching responsible sexual behaviour, but it seems he is sending a message which says ‘Don’t do as I do, do as I say’,” Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille said. This is not the first time that the president’s sexual life has been under the spotlight. In 2006, while being acquitted of rape, Mr Zuma admitted that he had made a mistake by having unprotected sex with a woman he knew to be HIV-positive. She was also the daughter of a family friend. Mr Zuma has been married five times in all, most recently in January, and is also engaged to another woman. He has 19 children according to his office, but it is not clear if that includes baby Thandekile Matina Zuma. Honda recall: 4,000 hit Authorised Honda agent Kah Motor said yesterday that the affected cars were manufactured between 2002 and 2004. It said it sold about 4,000 such cars here, but is unsure how many are still on the road. Singapore car owners often trade in their rides once they hit five years old. Many of these trade-in vehicles are then scrapped or re-exported to other countries. Honda Motor’s global safety campaign affects close to 650,000 cars in North America, South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia, but not Japan. The recall is for Honda to fix a design flaw in a power-window switch. Honda said moisture could get into the current switch, which may cause a short-circuit and, in extreme cases, fires. There were three reported cases of fires as a result of this defect – two in the United States and one in South Africa. UPDATE 1-S.Africa mines nationalisation not policy-minister Feb 2/ Reuters * Debate on nationalisation of mines healthy Stocks * Militant ANC youth wing pushes for nationalisation (Adds background, details) CAPE TOWN, Feb 2 (Reuters) – Nationalisation of South Africa’s mines is not government policy, although there is healthy debate on the issue, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said on Tuesday. The militant youth wing of the ruling African National Congress reiterated on Monday it would push for the nationalisation of local industries starting with mines, saying investors afraid of the process were not welcome. “Nationalisation of mines is not government policy. In my lifetime there will be no nationalisation of mines,” Shabangu told a media briefing at a mining conference. ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema has been one of the most vocal campaigners for a more leftist economic policy under President Jacob Zuma. His demands include that the state should assume majority ownership of mines. South Africa is the world’s biggest producer of platinum and one of the top producers of gold, although the influence of mining on GDP has declined, particularly as gold reserves become exhausted. But any talk of nationalisation of mines is likely to unnerve investors already worried that Zuma could give in to pressure from labour union and communist allies who helped him to power last year. These allies are demanding a swing to the left, away from existing pro-business policies, as payback. Mining shares on the Johannesburg bourse were not affected by Shabangu’s comments, traders said. Mining stocks such as the world’s number two platinum producer Impala Platinum (IMPJ.J) and gold producer Harmony (HARJ.J) were sharply higher after global resource stocks rallied stronger. (Reporting by James Macharia; Writing by Marius Bosch; Editing by David Stamp)
AFRICA / AU :
Somalia’s Al Shabaab to Ally With Al Qaeda FEBRUARY 2, 2010/online.wsj.com In a statement Monday, the group said it had agreed, among other things, “to connect the horn of Africa jihad to the one led by al Qaeda and its leader Sheikh Osama Bin Laden.” The statement, written in Somali and Arabic, is believed to be the first explicit confirmation of what U.S. and Somali government have long suspected: Militants in one of Africa’s least stable places are sharing resources and merging agendas. It isn’t clear whether this new resolution will result in funding or training from al Qaeda, or even if it will lead to an official endorsement from the global terror group. At the very least, the statement signals a tightening embrace with foreign fighters who have been supporting al Shabaab’s efforts to topple the Somali government. The cooperation also could spur Somali militants to assist al Qaeda elsewhere. Al Shabaab has sent fighters to Afghanistan to train with al Qaeda, according to the Somali government. Al Shabaab recently pledged to send fighters across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen, where al Qaeda is active. Al Shabaab made its announcement a day after Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed marked his first year in office. The past year has offered little respite from the violence that has rocked Somalia for nearly two decades. In the short term, a combined threat is likely to increase pressure on Mr. Sharif’s tenuous government and those trying to stave off its collapse. The U.S supports Mr. Sharif and is the biggest backer of an African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia, for which it has provided training and equipment. That support reflects concerns that al Qaeda is attempting to establish a base in Somalia to attack Western targets. Overall, the Somali government has been frustrated with the lack of foreign support. Thus far, Western donors have provided only a fraction of the $213 million pledged in 2009 to the Somali government and the African Union mission. A Somali government spokesman declined to comment on the statement from Al Shabaab. An African Union official dismissed the statement as a “non-event,” given that the AU already assumed the two groups were working together. Still, the announcement shows how the Somali militant group’s identity is evolving, analysts say. Al Shabaab, which already controls much of the country, is increasingly split between Somali nationalists who oppose foreign leadership and want to establish Shariah law in their country, and those who seek a bigger role in the global terror network, these analysts say. Some warn too much foreign influence could backfire. “The thing that gives Al Shabaab its punch is its national agenda,” said Roger Middleton, an analyst who focuses on the horn of Africa, at London think-tank Chatham House. “That’s key for it, in terms of recruiting and being able to control areas of territory. If they fail to respect that nationalist element of Shabaab, they’re going to be in trouble.” Al Shabaab has struggled to hold the support of a population wearied by war in part by claiming not to kill civilians. But foreign fighters have introduced more vicious tactics, including suicide bombs and attacks on civilians. After a suicide bombing in December killed at least 19 people, most of them civilians, Somalis took to the streets in protest. Al Shabaab initially denied any involvement. It later admitted the bomber had been an al Shabaab fighter, and a foreigner. —Abdinasir Mohamed in Mogadishu contributed to this article.
Let’s take a fresh look at black history Feb. 2, 2010/www.jsonline.com Black History Month still feels pretty much the same, but it has changed in recent years. Last February, the election of the first black president gave the month an added glow, which was sorely needed. Frankly, I had detected a curious Black History Month fatigue in previous years due to the sometimes numbing regularity of most local celebrations. Every year, it seemed, the usual suspects were trotted out to be saluted in schools, libraries and community centers. A litany of familiar names includes Harriet Tubman, Mary McLeod Bethune, Thurgood Marshall, W.E.B. Dubois, Booker T. Washington and other legendary figures who together formed a rich tapestry of African-American achievement and contributions to society. (If you’re not familiar with all of those names and what they represent, a good Black History Month assignment would be to get on the Internet and check them out.) In the age of President Barack Obama, it’s time to update the old Black History Month quiz for a new generation of children. After all, it’s not your father’s Black History Month anymore. Is Barack Obama the first black person to run for president? No, in the modern era, black politicians Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Alan Keyes and Lenora Fulani have all run for U.S. president. Obama is the first one to win. Why does Barack Obama consider himself “African-American” if his mother is white? Like millions of biracial Americans, Obama has chosen to identify himself with a specific group due to his personal connection with that demographic. Other prominent African-Americans of mixed race backgrounds such as Halle Berry, Lenny Kravitz, Walter Mosley and Derek Jeter have done the same thing. Why was it wrong for Harry Reid to refer to a “Negro dialect” in recently published comments about Obama? According to reports, Reid’s comments weren’t meant to be malicious but appeared out of touch; most people don’t say “Negro” anymore when referring to black people. The accepted term is “African-American,” which denotes a cultural background that began in Africa. Yes, there are white Africans who become U.S. citizens, too. Commonly, they don’t refer to themselves as African-Americans, even if, technically, it’s correct. Why is Haiti important to black people in America? Most Haitians are African in background, meaning their ancestors came to Haiti as slaves much the same way black Americans with ties to Africa first came here in slavery. There are descendants of black slaves from Africa all over South America and the Caribbean, including Cuba. In that sense, we are all connected. Are race relations improving? Recent surveys say many black Americans feel much more positive about the state of race relations even during the recession. Some attribute that optimism to the election of Obama, but others see it as another sign that continued attempts to address racial inequalities in society have been acknowledged and appreciated. Black History Month is usually meant to acknowledge the past, but these days it’s more about watching history change while we’re alive. What makes Black History Month more special than ever these days is the idea there’s no need to see black history as somehow separate from American history. It’s all one and the same. AFRICAN LEADERS CHOOSE MALAWI’S PRESIDENT AS NEW AU CHAIRMAN, REJECT GADDAFI’S BID FOR 2ND TERM By Margaret Kalekye ADDIS ABABA, Feb 2 (NNN-KBC) — African leaders have elected President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi as the new chairman of the African Union, rejecting a bid by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to win a second term. Gaddafi, who was elected chairman of the 53-nation AU at last year’s ummit in the face of opposition from some African leaders, had wanted to stay on in the post which is usually rotated among the different regions of the continent. It was the turn of southern Africa tp be AU chairman this year, The African leaders, who are holding their 14th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Fovernment at the AU headquarters here from Sunday to Tuesday, elected the Malawi president as chairman on the first day of the meeting to succeed Gaddafi. Addressing the summit, Gaddafi said: “The world’s engine is turning into seven or 10 countries and we are not aware of that. The EU (European Union) is becoming one country and we are not aware of it. We have to get united to be united. Let’s be united today.” Gaddafi also said he would continue to promote his vision of a “United States of Africa” and added that he did not need to keep the title of AU head. “My brother president of the Republic of Malawi will replace me and take over,” he added. “There is no need for any title, I’ll remain in the front struggling.” President Mwaki Kibaki ofKenya is among African leaders attending the summit. — NNN-KBC Cooperation with Africa Iran’s “strategic goal”: president February 02, 2010/ english.people.com.cn “We are completely ready to reinvigorate our cooperation with the members of the (African) Union in all fields,” Ahmadinejad said in a message to the AU summit being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, according to the report. Referring to Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki’s participation in the summit, Ahmadinejad said that the presence of Iran at the summit as an observer shows Tehran’s firm inclination to continue the close relations with the African countries. Iran has taken many steps to promote cooperation with the AU in recent years and has set up special committees to pursue the policy, he was quoted as saying. The 14th African Union Summit of Heads of State kicked off in Addis Ababa on Sunday, under the theme of “Information and Communications Technology.” In December, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African affairs Mohammad Reza Baqeri said the Islamic Republic is mulling over a long-term presence in the African continent. “The ground is prepared for expansion of mutual ties” as Africa enjoys rich resources and the continent is a suitable hub for Iranian-made commodities, he was quoted by Fars as saying. Source: Xinhua Nigeria Elected into AU Security Council Nigeria has been elected to represent West Africa in the15 members of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU). Others elected to serve for a period of three years as from March 2010 are: Republic of Equatorial Guinea – Central Africa; Republic of Kenya – East Africa; Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya – North Africa; and Republic of Zimbabwe – Southern Africa. The other ten members of the African Union Peace and Security Council were elected for a term of two years, as from 1st April 2010. They are: Republic of Burundi – Central Africa; Republic of Chad – Central Africa; Republic of Djibouti – East Africa; Republic of Rwanda – East Africa; Republic of Mauritania – North Africa; Republic of Namibia – Southern Africa; Republic of South Africa – Southern Africa; Republic of Benin – West Africa; Republic of Cote d’Ivoire – West Africa and Republic of Mali – West Africa.
UN /ONU :
Southern Sudan says vote on independence is off-limits for United Nations www.washingtonpost.com/By Barney Jopsonin/ Financial Times /Tuesday, February 2, 2010 MALAKAL, SUDAN — A surprise intervention in Sudan by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has drawn warnings from senior officials here, who say any outside efforts to influence a referendum on independence next year could lead to further conflict. At an African Union summit over the weekend, Ban said he would “work hard” to avoid the secession of southern Sudan following the referendum. Southern Sudan’s regional government quickly decried that as an attempt to influence the outcome of a referendum that the United Nations is meant only to administer. “It is not the responsibility of the U.N. to help the people of the south to take either decision,” said Luka Biong Deng, minister of presidential affairs in southern Sudan’s regional government. Ban’s views have been echoed by others. Diplomats fear that a vote for independence in southern Sudan would resonate in Nigeria, Congo and elsewhere. Sudan’s north-south civil war ended with a peace deal in 2005, and the country is preparing for two watershed events: next January’s referendum on southern independence and this April’s national elections. But here in Malakal, the dust-blown riverside capital of Upper Nile, one of the south’s oil-rich states, relations remain tense between the two armies that live on either side of a dividing line. The Sudanese Armed Forces of Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Sudan’s Islamist president, and the mainly Christian former rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army were supposed to merge under the 2005 deal ending a 22-year war that left 2 million people dead. But Malakal is a glaring example of how mistrust on basic issues — politics, religion, tribe — is preventing some of the so-called joint integrated units from working. Twice since 2006, the area has been shaken by gunfire between the two armies, sparked by visits to the town by Gabriel Tang, a northern general and wartime nemesis of the SPLA. Clashes last February killed 30 civilians, and as many soldiers, according to Human Rights Watch. Some in Malakal fear that the next flash point will be the April elections, Sudan’s first in 24 years. Most Sudanese are enthusiastic about the elections. But Western diplomats say that the process will be too messy — millions of illiterate people will vote in areas where safeguards against fraud are limited — and that it is not worth the risk of added violence so close to the independence referendum. Others argue that Bashir, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region, will let the referendum take place only if the elections give him legitimacy. The vote is important for diplomats who want to negotiate a deal between elected officials in northern and southern Sudan that would give the south de facto independence. — Financial Times Gaddafi seeks relocation of UN head office to Italy Tuesday, 02 February 2010/Nigerian Compass Gaddafi, who berated the composition and the structure of the UN, which he described as faulty, argued that Italy, because of its central position in the world’s geography, was more suitable to accommodate the UN head office. He also expressed regret over the snail speed of integration in the contunent, more than a decade after the formation of the union. His words: “There have been no remarkable achievements in the movement toward integration since 1999; I and many other Africans have not seen tangible results. “We have been having problems with the establishment of the Authority of the Union, its calendar and schedule.” Citing China and united Germany as examples, the Ligyan leader said that the level of development attained in the two countries was a justification for the calls for a USA. He noted that the European Union (EU) now had 27 member-countries. On Somalia, he said that the problem was that Somalis were not patriotic, adding that those fueling crisis in Somalia were only acting out a script written by foreign powers. He said that the Somali sea had become a dumping site for nuclear waste, while pirates operating in the country’s territorial waters had compounded the problem. On the world order, Gaddafi said that the AU was not satisfied with the state of affairs, adding that the composition and the structure of the UN was faulty. He said that the seat of the world body should be relocated to a country like Italy because of its central position in the world’s geography.
JERUSALEM — The Israeli military confirmed Monday that it had reprimanded two senior officers, a brigadier general and a colonel, for the firing of artillery shells that hit a United Nations compound during the Gaza war last winter. It was a rare admission of high-level wrongdoing at a time when Israel is battling accusations of possible war crimes. But the military maintained ambiguity about a more contentious issue, whether the artillery shells that struck the compound contained white phosphorus, as the liberal daily newspaper Haaretz reported Monday. The chemical can be used to illuminate battlefields or cause smoke screens, but can also burn flesh. The military has acknowledged using smoke shells containing white phosphorus nearby, and a military spokesman said it was possible that the shells that struck the compound contained it, but said that was not a factor in the reprimand. “Their punishment had nothing to do with white phosphorus,” said Capt. Barak Raz, an Israeli Army spokesman, “but with the firing of artillery shells in a built-up area.” The Israeli news media identified the senior officers as a division commander, Brig. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg, and the former Givati brigade commander, Col. Ilan Malka. Neither was demoted, but Captain Raz said the reprimand would remain on their personal records and could affect their chances of promotion. Neither the military nor a government report that first disclosed the disciplinary action specified when it had taken place. Israel waged a three-week offensive against Hamas in Gaza after Palestinian militant groups there fired thousands of rockets at southern Israel over the span of several years. The war left up to 1,400 Palestinians dead, including hundreds of civilians, and caused widespread property damage in Gaza, prompting a severely critical report by a United Nations mission led by an experienced international jurist, Richard Goldstone of South Africa. The Goldstone report, issued in September, accused Israel and, to a lesser extent, Hamas, of possible war crimes. Israel rejected it as biased and distorted, saying that while mistakes were made in what was a complex battle zone, they were not intentional and did not constitute war crimes. The Goldstone report called on the Palestinian Authority and Israel to carry out independent investigations into the allegations it raised. So far, Israel has carried out a series of military investigations, though many critics at home and abroad argue that the military cannot adequately investigate itself. The reprimand of the two senior officers first surfaced deep inside an Israeli government report that was sent to the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, on Friday. The 46-page document, Israel’s first official response to the Goldstone report, was devoted mostly to explaining the Israeli judicial system and defending the credibility of the military investigations. But it also outlined the findings of military inquiries into various episodes. In the case of the shelling of the United Nations compound, a headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency that assists Palestinian refugees, the document stated that Israeli forces had “fired several artillery shells in violation of the rules of engagement prohibiting use of such artillery near populated areas,” and that the brigadier general and colonel had been disciplined “for exceeding their authority in a manner that jeopardized the lives of others.” The Goldstone report determined that the United Nations compound had come under shelling with high-explosive and white phosphorus munitions, and that the attack was “extremely dangerous” given the compound was offering shelter to up to 700 civilians and contained a huge fuel depot. It added that at least seven white phosphorus shells hit the compound, setting ablaze a warehouse located there. White phosphorus munitions are typically employed to illuminate and mark battlefield areas and create smokescreens, and the Israeli military has acknowledged using them for those purposes in Gaza. While they are not prohibited under international law, they have proved to be dangerous when used in civilian areas, because white phosphorus is highly flammable and can burn flesh like napalm. Israeli and international human rights groups have accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions improperly during the Gaza war. The Goldstone report found that the Israelis were “systematically reckless” in their use of white phosphorus munitions in built-up areas. The Israeli military says its investigations have shown that the munitions containing white phosphorus were used in accordance with international law. In the case of the shelling of the United Nations compound, the Israeli military said Hamas antitank crews had been positioned adjacent to the compound, so it created a smokescreen to protect an Israeli tank force near there. It said the smoke shells, which contain felt wedges dipped in white phosphorus, were fired at an area some distance from the compound, and were not intended to hit the United Nations facility. It added that the explosive shells were fired “at military targets within the battle zone.” The Israeli human rights group Btselem released a statement Monday accusing Israel of covering up details of the shelling of the United Nations compound and called for criminal prosecutions of the reprimanded officers. The military says it has investigated, or is currently investigating, more than 150 allegations of violations of international law in Gaza. Heavy mortar shelling kills 12 civilians, wounds ‘scores’ www.arabtimesonline.com/Agencies/Feb 2 MOGADISHU, Feb 1, (Agencies): Heavy mortar fire between African Union peacekeepers and Islamist insurgents killed at least 12 civilians and left scores wounded in the Somali capital, officials and medics said Monday. “The terrorist fighters fired mortar shells at the palace and the African Union peacekeepers responded targeting where those mortars were coming from,” he added. One witness, Moahmed Aban Ilbir, said around 20 heavy artillery shells hit his the district of Suqaholaha. Since their onslaught last year, the hardline rebels have massively reduced the government’s control of the war-torn Mogadishu. African leaders were to discuss Monday the conflict in Somalia on the second day of the 53-member AU bloc summit at its Addis Ababa headquarters alongside other trouble spots in the continent.
USA :
Remarks by the honorable María Otero U.s. under secretary of state for democracy and global affairs To the organization of African first ladies against HIV/AIDS Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Remarks by the honorable María Otero U.s. under secretary of state for democracy and global affairs To the organization of African first ladies against HIV/AIDS Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 01 February 2010 Thank you to the Organization of African First Ladies for inviting me to be here with you today. It is an honor to be with such distinguished women. Since the first time I came to Africa—many, many years ago—I have been struck by the power of strong, courageous women across this continent. From Ghana to South Africa to Botswana to Ethiopia and many countries in between, it has been my privilege to meet and work with African women on the great challenges of this region. Today, I want to thank each and every one of you for your leadership and personal dedication in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The United States is proud to be partnering with the women and men of Africa to support this effort. In 2003, we launched the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). It is the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in history. Under PEPFAR, the United States has already committed approximately $25 billion to the fight against global HIV/AIDS. And President Barack Obama reaffirmed our strong commitment to this work in his recent State of the Union address. When PEPFAR was announced seven years ago, approximately 50,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa were receiving antiretroviral treatment. Today, PEPFAR directly supports life-saving treatment for more than 2.4 million people worldwide, the vast majority of whom are in in sub-Saharan Africa. Just last year, PEPFAR directly supported essential care for nearly 11 million people. And we provided testing and counseling—both crucial elements of prevention and rehabilitation—for nearly 29 million people. And we are working to prevent mother-child transmission for hundreds of thousands. But as you in this room know, this is not just about the numbers. This is about the future of Africa and the women who carry this great continent on their backs. We must continue to walk forward, into the tempest that is HIV/AIDS. And in moving forward, we will make all the more progress if we walk together. The United States is committed to working closely with all of you—and your governments—to mount a coordinated response to the global burden of this disease. So, allow me to tell you how: First, we are going to begin transitioning from an emergency response to a sustainable one through greater engagement with and capacity building of governments. PEPFAR has already started this with Partnership Frameworks, which are five-year strategic plans developed in collaboration with our partner governments, including many in Africa. Second, we are going to focus on prevention. We are going to scale up highly effective prevention interventions like male circumcision and prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and we have set a goal of providing antiretroviral treatment to 4 million people. And as we talk about expanding our fight against this terrible scourge on Africa, I want to encourage you to open your eyes to another, related challenge. And that is the terrible problem of human trafficking—especially of women and girls. This is when women and men are in situations of forced labor or sexual abuse, without escape or refuge. Trafficking still exists today—around Africa and around the world—and it is a problem that merits the highest levels of attention. I had the honor of meeting with the Honorable Azeb Mesfin two days ago, and we had a very productive conversation about this challenge. So today I not only want to thank you for the work you are already doing to combat HIV/AIDS, but also encourage you to take on this additional challenge in your own countries, knowing that the United States is standing ready to support your efforts. The history of the fight against HIV/AIDS has demonstrated what can happen when we dare to think big. And on behalf of Michelle Obama and Secretary Hillary Clinton, I am here today to say that we are with you. [Applause] Thank you for your ongoing leadership. You are leading your respective countries as you address key challenges of peace and development. And as Secretary Clinton says, one cannot develop a country without empowering its women first. So I thank you for your work and for allowing me to share this time with you today. Thank you.
CANADA :
Bluffer’s Guide to Black History Month So what’s happening? Don’t you know? It’s Black History Month, starting today. We look back at contributions that black people have made throughout history and honour those who fought for equal rights, or the abolition of slavery. I know we have this every year, but was it always a full month? Not always. It started in 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson proposed an observance to honour the accomplishments of black Americans. He called it Negro History Week, and it was called that right up to the 1970s, when it was renamed Black History Week. He chose the second week of February because it marks the birthday of renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14) and U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12), who abolished slavery. In 1976, it was changed to Black History Month in the U.S. Although Canadians marked the month, the House of Commons only officially recognized Black History Month in 1995 when Jean Augustine, the first black female MP, introduced the motion, which was unanimously adopted. Is it only celebrated in the U.S. and Canada then? No, Britain also has a Black History Month, although it’s the month of October. Am I the only one who thinks it’s a bit funny that we celebrate Black History Month, when no other cultures get a Month dedicated to their histories? In fact, you aren’t. Many black people believe it’s demeaning to devote a month to black history, because it sends the message that black history is separate from the history of everyone else. In fact, noted actor Morgan Freeman said it well when he once told journalist Mike Wallace: “You’re going to relegate my history to a month? … Which month is White History Month? … I don’t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.” That’s a good point. But is there a White History Month or a Hispanic History Month? Actually, Hispanics do have their own month now in the United States, but they call it Hispanic Heritage Month to not sound too similar. It was started in 1968, as a week-long event, but then expanded. Now it runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. As for White History Month, such a thing doesn’t yet exist, but like everything, it’s a political issue. Some people are advocating for such an animal, saying white people should be treated the same as minorities. They have an online petition that has garnered more than 3,600 signatures. So you have members of minorities saying they shouldn’t be singled out, and you have people in the majority saying they should have their culture celebrated, too. So there’s quite a bit of controversy around Black History Month in the U.S. What do people say about it in Canada? Canada seems to have the opposite problem as the U.S. It seems Black History Month is a bit unknown here. A recent survey conducted by TD Canada Financial Group showed that only 32 per cent of the Canadian population is aware that Black History Month falls in February. Obviously, those statistics will change dramatically as a result of this Bluffer’s Guide, but it seems the debate is much more tame north of the border. But I guess you can’t blame Canada for that. In the U.S., the civil rights movement produced heroes such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. We still have our own share of Black heroes, like Jackie Robinson, the first black Major League baseball player, who got his start playing for the Montreal Royals. We also have Willie O’Ree, the first black player in the National Hockey League. Those Canadian heroes are sports figures. I’m not saying sports aren’t important, but did Canada have any sort of rights movement of its own? Canada actually has its own version of the Rosa Parks story. Parks, you remember, was arrested in 1955 for violating segregation laws after she refused to give up her seat on a bus for a white man in Montgomery, Ala. Like Parks, Canada’s Viola Desmond sparked a civil rights movement when she bought a ticket to a movie in 1946 at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, N.S. Instead of sitting in the balcony, she took a seat in the downstairs whites-only portion of the racially segregated theatre. She was arrested, thrown in jail, and later charged and sentenced to 30 days in prison and a $20 fine. Her supporters then challenged the Nova Scotia government, which finally repealed the law of segregation in 1954. Open ended question: Do you think most Canadians are knowledgeable about the history of black people and their fight for equal rights in this country? Sources: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Newsweek, Petitiononline.com, Washington Post No harm or benefit to restricting food, drink while in labour: review But what if the contractions drag on and on, and it’s been hours since her last meal? Prof. Joan Tranmer of the Queen’s University School of Nursing, and colleagues in Britain and South Africa, explored the issue of food and drink for women in labour by analyzing previous studies. Their results have been published by the Cochrane Collaboration, an independent, not-for-profit health-care organization. The work consisted of an analysis of five studies looking at women allowed to eat and drink, and women restricted from doing so, to determine if there were differences in outcomes for babies and mothers. The more than 3,000 women enrolled were all at low risk of complications. “We turned the question around and said, ‘Is there any benefit to restricting food and fluids during labour?”‘ Tranmer said Monday in an interview from Kingston, Ont. “So what we found out, based on our analysis was that there was no benefit to restricting, nor was there any harm.” “What we recommended is given that there’s no benefit or harm, women should be given the choice about what they want to consume during labour.” The restrictions dated back to the 1940s, she said, and responded to findings that during general anesthesia, there was an increased risk of the stomach contents entering the lungs. There was high morbidity and mortality in women under general anesthesia for caesarean births who inhaled liquids and food from the stomach. But times have changed, and so has the practice of anesthesia for women in labour. “Given the choice and given the time, the preferred way to provide an anesthetic to women in labour is with an epidural, but at times the anesthetist has to do a general anesthetic, and if he or she does, they have techniques that they apply just in case there is contents in the stomach,” explained Tranmer. Dr. Andre Lalonde, executive vice-president and CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, said most women who need a C-section can have an epidural and don’t need to be put to sleep – “and that’s another very big bonus.” “Our position at the SOGC is that fluids and light food should be offered to women who want them during labour in Canada,” he said. Food and drink were offered at a hospital he worked at in Montreal almost three decades ago, and it’s also the situation at many obstetrics wards across Canada, said Lalonde, who is based in Ottawa. But not everywhere. There are still anecdotes about food and fluid restrictions in some places, he noted. “I don’t think women want a whole big meal because, you know, the fact is that contractions and pushing probably would make them sick,” he said. “But if the labour is long, women need their fluids – fluids and light foods.” Examples of light foods are crackers, soup that is easily digestible, a bit of protein, he said. “I wouldn’t go to very heavy fried foods and big spaghetti (meal) just before labour – it may be safe, but it would certainly render you sick during labour.” However, he said a medical team would need to evaluate someone with a high-risk pregnancy about the advisability of food intake. Tranmer said there’s no data on how widespread the practice is of withholding food and fluids from women in labour in Canada. But a U.K. survey in 2003 showed 47 per cent of women had access to food and drink while in labour. Lalonde said women should work with their physicians and ask questions about food and fluids at hospitals across Canada. “If it’s not on their policy, they should push to get it on their policy.”
AUSTRALIA :
S.Africa’s rand near 10-day highs vs dlr, futures up JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa’s rand eased against the dollar on Tuesday but hovered close to 10-day highs touched overnight, supported by strong U.S. manufacturing data that lifted risk appetite. At 0645 GMT the rand traded at 7.50 to the greenback, just 0.23 percent weaker than Monday’s close of 7.4825, the local currency’s strongest level since January 21, according to Reuters data. “Equity markets have stabilised after that ISM data, so that encouraged a little bit of risk,” a trader in Johannesburg said. The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing index showed U.S. factory activity grew in January at a faster rate than expected, following similar surveys from China, Australia and the euro zone. “Gold rallied off its lows, so dollar-rand, once it touched 7.54/55, started to test through 7.50. I think we’ll find some resistence now at 7.55 and we’re looking for support around 7.47/48,” the trader added. Government bonds were a tad firmer, with the yield on the 2015 note subsequently shedding 3 basis points to 8.305 percent while that for the 2036 bond was down 2.5 basis points at 9.00 percent. The Johannesburg stock exchange’s blue-chip Top-40 March futures contract was up 1.01 percent, pointing to a stronger open for the JSE bourse at 0700 GMT.
EUROPE :
Imperial Tobacco says it started the year well despite challenging conditions “Our emphasis on cost optimisation and synergy delivery will continue and further advances in productivity will help in offsetting further world leaf inflation”, said Imperial Tobacco chief executive, Gareth Davis. Imperial Tobacco also responded to the UK government’s new Tobacco Control Strategy, which endorses the plain packaging of tobacco products. The company said that it remains strongly opposed to the strategy and that it believes there is no credible evidence that young people start smoking or adult smokers continue to smoke because of tobacco packaging. According to Imperial Tobacco, making all tobacco products available in the same generic plain packaging will further fuel the growth in illicit trade and undermine the government’s plans to increase investment in tackling smuggling and counterfeiting. In the three months ended 31 December, the UK cigarette market grew by 1% whilst the fine cut tobacco volumes increased more substantially with a 21% increase to 4,650 tonnes. The company said it achieved strong volume growth in the value segment, with the ‘Gold Leaf’ and ‘Golden Virginia Yellow’ brands continuing to perform well. The consumer’s shift towards hand rolled tobacco was also reflected in Germany and Spain, where the trend appears more pronounced, the company said. For the year to December, German cigarette market volumes declined by 2% to 85.5 billion whilst other tobacco products grew by 11% to 37.8 billion cigarette equivalents. During the same period, Spanish cigarette market volumes declined by an estimated 10% to 80.7 billion, and similarly fine cut tobacco market volumes grew 30% to 5,150 tonnes. Despite the difficult economic backdrop, elsewhere in Europe, volumes increased for both cigarettes and fine cut tobacco, the company said. Performance in the EU accession countries in Central Europe was particularly strong with cigarette and fine cut tobacco share increases in the majority of markets. Although the ‘Rest of the World’ regional volumes were temporarily affected by supply chain disruptions in the Middle East, Imperial Tobacco continued to build sales and achieved cigarette share gains in the majority of its markets. In Africa and the Middle East, Imperial Tobacco grew cigarette share in almost all markets. Fine improved volumes in the region with the ‘Gauloises Blondes’ brand performing well in Morocco. Similarly in Eastern Europe, cigarette market share improved in most regions with Davidoff performing particularly well and Maxim continuing its positive momentum in Russia. Imperial Tobacco said its overall performance and financial position for the financial year to 30 September 2010 is currently in line with the board’s expectations. Obama to Skip EU Summit, Scale Back Foreign Travel As part of a scaled back travel schedule, the White House said the president would skip an annual summit with the European Union this summer, according to The Wall Street Journal. It was not announced what, if anything, might replace the U.S.-EU meeting, which has been held since 1991. The summit could be rescheduled for fall or the Obama administration might invite Europeans to Washington. Obama had a record-setting year of foreign travel in 2009. He made a total of ten trips to 21 nations, more than any previous president in his first year, according to CBS News. Administration officials said the president would consolidate travel when possible in 2010 and make trips to places he hasn’t visited yet. He’s expected to travel to Asia this spring, to South Africa this summer and to Portugal for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in the fall, the Journal reported.
CHINA :
South African Equities: BHP, Impala, Kumba, Murray & Roberts By Janice Kew/Bloomberg/Feb. 2 The following are among the most active stocks in the South African market today. BHP Billiton Ltd. (BIL SJ), the world’s largest mining company, snapped three days of declines, rising 4.40 rand, or 2 percent, to 229.50 rand. Anglo American Plc (AGL SJ) advanced 7.60 rand, or 2.7 percent, to 288 rand. Copper climbed from a 10-week low in Shanghai, as recent declines lured buyers from China, the world’s largest consumer. Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (IMP SJ), the world’ second- largest platinum producer, rallied 7.02 rand, or 3.7 percent, to 196.02 rand, paring its 6.9 percent decline in the previous three days. AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (ANG SJ), Africa’s largest gold producer, climbed 6.07 rand, or 2.2 percent, to 280.17 rand. Both the precious metals rose in London. Kumba Iron Ore Ltd. (KIO SJ) rose 4.50 rand, or 1.4 percent, to 327 rand, its biggest intraday gain in four days. Citigroup Inc. raised its share-price estimate on Africa’s biggest producer of the steelmaking ingredient to 300 rand, from 250 rand. Murray & Roberts Holdings Ltd. (MUR SJ) added 40 cents, or 1 percent, to 40.60 rand, extending yesterday’s 1.7 percent slide. South Africa’s largest construction and engineering company was raised to “overweight” from “equalweight” at Morgan Stanley, which cited the company’s growth outlook and valuation. Davos 2010: Jacko Maree, CEO Standard Bank 02 February 2010/ www.moneyweb.co.za Will we see changes in bank regulation outside of the US and Europe? JACKO MAREE: No I had actually had big gaps when I haven’t come – I think it’s one of those occasions to come to when there’s really interesting stuff going on in the world, and of course last year and this year have been sort of defining times for the world so really interesting. But every year for me is a bit much. ALEC HOGG: You talk about interesting stuff happening – Russell Loubser in one of the panels was saying ‘enough with this bank bashing now’. There wasn’t any cheer from the audience when he suggested that, but I guess you would be able to tell us what the temperature is like amongst the bankers here in Davos. JACKO MAREE: Well certainly – I’ve just come from a panel with various finance ministers of the world and bank regulators and bankers talking about ‘where to from here’. There was enormous public anger in the developed world certainly aimed at banks and remuneration policies and the crisis which perhaps unfairly but is really being blamed on banks entirely. It’s completely different of course when you talk to the big banks from other emerging – very few Asian banks have problems. The Brazilian banks, South American banks didn’t have problems – of course we didn’t have problems in South Africa so you’ve got this complete split between the view of the developing world bankers and the developed world bankers of course, and my worry is that we get caught in the side-wash a little bit because there clearly are going to be some major changes in regulation and so forth of banks around the world, as a result of all of this. ALEC HOGG: Is it possible that the regulations will be changed in Britain, America and Europe and then not be changed in South Africa, China, and Brazil where you’re very strong in your operations? JACKO MAREE: It’s hard to see that you wouldn’t have some degree of harmonisation or at least minimum flaws. Now the good thing is that on things like capital and liquidity the South African banking system is probably already above the floors that are likely to be set I suspect but banking is such an interconnected business that you can’t really aspire to be a true player in the world, if you don’t comply with the minimum standards. But there is no doubt, that if we’re not careful you could have unintended side effect of financing in developing markets becoming more expensive. ALEC HOGG: Why would that be? JACKO MAREE: Well if you layer on more capital requirements and banks have to pay into insurance funds in the event of a future crisis and so on – all of those costs are there to be borne in the price of money. So it’s quite simple, all regulation, all capital requirements have a cost and therefore that will be reflected in the price of money to businesses, to individuals eventually and so we have to try and make sure that the voice of the developing world really is strong in these sorts of gatherings, because it tends to be dominated by the established players. ALEC HOGG: The opening address – President Sarcozy of France was saying that bankers should stick to doing what they were established to do which is lend to entrepreneurs and hive off investment banking operations, hive off their private equity and so on – repeating what Barack Obama said in the United States. If that were to happen, surely it would change the complexion of Standard Bank quite considerably. JACKO MAREE: Yes I think we’ve got a long way to go and a lot of those proposals are politically appealing, but practically unlikely to happen in the form in which they mention because of course those activities will still happen – they’ll just suddenly happen outside the regulated entities which could create bigger problems. If you look at Lehman’s – that was the beginning of the crisis and it wasn’t really a big bank. It was an investment bank outside of the system. So this thing still has a long way to go and a lot of politicians are obviously tempted to say things that the public want to hear, but whether practically some of these ideas can be implemented, I have my doubts. ALEC HOGG: So the discussion is in its early stages, a bit of moderation likely to come in as it always does, down the line. JACKO MAREE: Absolutely, and that’s what’s good about a place like this, is it does bring together politicians, business people for four or five days and there are lots of discussions going on and that really is the value. So, I am thrilled that I was here this year. ALEC HOGG: What about our own politicians, are they being influenced at all by talk from those in other countries on this subject? JACKO MAREE: I think Davos has played a role in the development of the South African economic and political landscape over many years where many of our politicians have been to Davos, have been on platforms, have been exposed to very critical questioning and so forth, and I think that’s healthy because as you share these thoughts and ideas with other leaders and if questioned, it forces all of us to focus our minds and our thoughts with great clarity and it’s a benefit. ALEC HOGG: Certainly no easy ride here, as we saw with Jacob Zuma being asked about his many wives. So nothing seems to be sacred when you’re on these platforms. But as far as Standard Bank is concerned you’re in an admirable position right now, we know that the emerging markets are the ones that are going to be dragging the world economy out of recession – that’s the theory that the economists are talking about. You’ve got very strong ties in China and in Russia – are they starting to have any concrete effect yet? JACKO MAREE: Absolutely – wherever you go here, China comes up in virtually every discussion because of the incredible role that it is playing and clearly we, through our transaction with ICBC and our involvement with China for many years, are well positioned to try and play a limited role – clearly when it comes to financing the transactions across the African continent in particular – we’re in a very strong position to play a role and hopefully to make some good money for our shareholders in the process. But it’s interesting that increasingly there is this inter-connectedness going on between different emerging markets and so it’s not just China-Africa – we’re seeing opportunities between China and Russia, and China and Brazil for example, in the banking sector. ALEC HOGG: I’ve heard a number of times, reference being made to BASIC, which is Brazil, South Africa, India and China rather than BRIC, which was Russia, in for South Africa. It’s interesting to see that there seems to be that swing coming out of what happened at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Are you finding, with your South African scarf that you’re walking with, perhaps more people are tapping you on the shoulder and more people are interested in finding out more about Standard Bank, more about South Africa. JACKO MAREE: Absolutely – there’s no question that South Africa punches above its weight. If you just look at the absolute sizes of these economies, South Africa isn’t at the size really that we can be included with the likes of India and China and Brazil and so forth. But at a political level and at many of these global policymaking forums and so on, the IMF – we’ve played very big roles – like Trevor Manuel for example played an incredible role over many years and that has created platforms for South Africa to really influence policy and we saw that in Copenhagen. Why would South Africa ALEC HOGG: Have you had much discourse with the ICBC people here? JACKO MAREE: Not this year – ICBC have not sent a big representation to Davos, but I’m meeting with them all the time. We have an office with 50 professionals in Beijing and constant interaction with them on a range of issues, but they’ve chosen not to send a big delegation to Davos – they were here last year in force, but this year not. ALEC HOGG: Do you have any ideas or any thoughts on why, because last year also the Chinese premier was here – this year the vice premier came. ICBC – I also spoke to Sizwe Nxasana earlier and he said that their connection – China Construction Bank also didn’t send a big delegation this year. Have things changed – are they not that keen on Davos any more? JACKO MAREE: No I don’t think it’s that – they are in such demand at events and occasions around the world that they have to pick their spots and it does seem they’re pretty well coordinated, so they tend to move not only one bank, but the business movements go to different gatherings and they obviously slightly downplayed this Davos I would think. ALEC HOGG: Team South Africa hasn’t – this has been a very big year for our country… JACKO MAREE: Yes, for obvious reasons, it was a proactive movement a year or two ago knowing that 2010 was coming to really say lets make sure that everybody in Davos this year is fully aware of South Africa and use it as a marketing opportunity which I think a great job has been done. There’s been a South African bar every night that’s been open – tons of people have been popping in, so South Africa has really taken centre stage at Davos this year which is appropriate given it is 2010. ALEC HOGG: And surely will help your efforts as well with shareholders around the world. Often we’re told that when you do speak to foreign investors, you first have to sell the country and then your company. JACKO MAREE: We don’t find that any more. Certainly in the banking world South Africa and Standard Bank are very well known now. But it is because over a long time, we come to gatherings like this. We do participate in many global meetings of financial institutions and as you all know, the World Competitiveness Report puts the South African banking systems, banking regulation right up there, so we again as an industry, punch above our weight compared to the size of the South African economy. ALEC HOGG: The South African banks ranked sixth in the world in that Competitiveness Report – we’ve been talking to the leader of one of the South African banking groups, Jacko Maree from Standard Bank.
INDIA :
India capitalises on stronger trade ties Robust manufacturing data for India published yesterday show the sector’s growth is becoming more sustained, Amy Kazmin reports from New Delhi . Merchandise exports in December grew 9.3 per cent over last year, the second consecutive monthly rise. They were fuelled by strengthening trade ties with Asia and Africa, and a surge in manufacturing industries hard hit by the global slowdown. The HSBC Markit purchasing managers’ index for January, also released yesterday, hit its highest level for 17 months, showing rising production and purchasing at 500 companies surveyed. “Any lingering concern that India’s manufacturing recovery was tailing off should be well and truly put to rest,” said Robert Prior-Wandesforde, an HSBC economist. India’s sale of $14.6bn (€10.5bn, £9.2bn) worth of goods overseas, which follows its 18 per cent jump in exports to $13.6bn in November, suggests that Indian exports have bottomed out, and that industrial recovery is firmly under way. In the first nine months of the current April-to-March financial year, exports fell 20 per cent compared with the year before, while imports fell 23 per cent. India does not release specific details of exports by product groups very quickly. But Tushar Poddar, chief economist at Goldman Sachs, said corporate data suggested the bounce in overseas sales had come from China-related exports such as iron ore, the pharmaceutical industry, and a surge in the number of Indian-made cars sold to south-east Asia and Africa.
Telecom Roundup: Essar Eyes African Telecom, 3G Auction Postponed Essar Eyes African Telecom It seems that Africa has become a de facto ground for any Indian Telecom company that is planning to invest abroad and why should it not be? African nations are undergoing a development phase and major changes and naturally become a sweet spot for the investment in various avenues. The average mobile penetration for the continent is 37 per cent, expected to rise to 61 per cent by 2012 which again attracts the Telecom Industries. We have already told you about MTNL’s plans of entering Nigeria and Airtel’s ventures in Africa. And now Essar has joined the race too. According to a news report The Essar Group The Essar Group has prepared a telecom blueprint for Africa under which it would invest $2 billion to get 20 million customers and more, spanning six to seven countries in the region and also is in talks with the South African government to set up a power plant. With so many Indian players entering the African Telecom Atmosphere conflicts are bound to arise back home and competition is going to get fierce. Let’s hope these telecom players do not compromise on quality in India in order to expand their operations abroad. 3G Auction Postponed After creating a lot of Buzz in the mobile ecosystem in India, the 3G Auctions have now taken a deep slumber! Yes, the 3G auctions have now been postponed to a later date. We had told you earlier that the 3G auction is planned to take place on the 25th of February 2010. The Department of Telecommunications is now facing a problem of shortage of 3G slots and plans to auction only those slots which can be allotted by September this year. Since the government will charge upfront payment for auction of 3G spectrum from the operators within 15 days of auction, a failure to allot the spectrum to the auction winners might lead the private telecom players to drag the DoT to court and the auction winners may ask for compensation. DoT currently has two slots for auction, a third slot will be available by September 2010 and the fourth slot will be vacated by the Defense Ministry in 2013. UPDATE 1-Tupperware profit up 28 pct on sales growth Reuters/ Feb 2 * Q4 adjusted EPS $1.22 vs Street’s $1.04 Stocks * Sales up 20 pct as reported, 10 pct constant currency * Sees adjusted 2010 EPS $3.41 to $3.51. * Shares close at $43.38, up 2 percent SAN FRANCISCO, Feb 1 (Reuters) – Tupperware Brands Corp (TUP.N) reported a 28 percent rise in quarterly profit on Monday, boosted by double-digit sales increases in a number of emerging markets. Tupperware, known for its food storage containers, said net income rose to $84.1 million, or $1.31 per share, from $65.8 million, or $1.05 per share, a year earlier. On an adjusted basis, earnings were $1.22, above the $1.04 expected, on average, by analysts, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. Net sales rose 20 percent to $626.0 million, boosted by currency translations. On a constant currency basis, sales rose 10 percent. Emerging markets, which make up over half of total sales, posted double-digit sales increases in such countries as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Venezuela, the company said. The company, which also sells personal care products under names including NaturCare and Fuller Cosmetics, said it expects 2010 earnings to range between $3.25 a share and $3.35 a share, with adjusted earnings between $3.41 a share to $3.51 a share. Tupperware closed at $43.38, up 2 percent, on the New York Stock Exchange. (Reporting by Alexandria Sage; editing by Carol Bishopric)
BRASIL:
Analysis: The many, many questions around Sheryl Cwele It’s a very different situation to South Africa, but I was reminded of it by the arrest of Sheryl Cwele, the wife of state security minister Siyabonga Cwele. Here we have the wife of the man who runs SA’s spies, being arrested for allegedly trying to recruit drug mules. But here’s the kicker. She wasn’t granted bail straight away. She, the wife of a cabinet minister, actually spent three nights in some kind of cell, with more to come. That’s pretty amazing. Usually it seems just about anybody can get bail immediately, and in this case there is money for a good lawyer or four. But even at the best of times it’s suspicious when the cops arrest someone on a Friday, because that ensures the person spends at least two nights in the clink, until a judge is available on Monday. The cops know full well an awful lot can happen to someone who is in jail for 48 hours. So far Cwele’s defence is remarkably similar to that of Jackie Selebi. Selebi claims his alleged corruptor was just a friend. Siyabonga Cwele’s supporters claim no one can prove he knew anything about anything, even if his wife did it. Of course, that raises the spectre that the man who runs the National Intelligence Agency is so incompetent, he didn’t know what was going on right under his nose. It was Napoleon who was first quoted as saying, and we paraphrase, that if you have to choose between conspiracy and cock-up, it was probably a cock-up. Time will tell, and we stress that she hasn’t been found guilty of anything, yet. Though to quote Bheki Cele, Selebi’s successor, “The friend of a criminal is a criminal”. However, we now have to start pondering the loaded questions. Have the crooks actually taken over? Are they running the show? Are they in charge of the state? Have we now gone from a situation where people who get into power become corrupted once there, to one where those who get into power were corrupt in the first place? Then there are the details of the case. It seems the police, or the Hawks or the Scorpions or whoever, had already started poking around Sheryl Cwele in March last year. Yes, that was before the election, and before Siyabonga Cwele became a minister. Surely, someone could have whispered in Zuma’s ear that there was a problem here. If they didn’t, someone needs firing. If they did, we have a far bigger problem. Let’s presume for a moment that she’s completely innocent. We know that all kinds of things can be said by young women caught with drugs, who find themselves in a difficult position under interrogation in a small dark room. It is entirely possible there was a grudge, or they reached for the most powerful person they knew and tried to drag them into it all, on the basis that anyone with influence is a potential lifeline. But after that, surely, there would have been some kind of communication between Sheryl Cwele and the Hawks. If she was completely innocent, then why not arrange an arrest, pop in to the local police station at a time that’s mutually convenient and sort it all out? Answer the questions, with your lawyer, and see how it goes. Also, generally speaking, if your life partner is in court, don’t you go to be with her? If not, why not? And if your life partner is not going to be your life partner for much longer, you can find a way to say that, surely. If not directly, then through someone else – a friendly journalist, perhaps? The silver lining to all of this is that the wife of a high-ranking cabinet minister can still be arrested in this country. After everything that’s happened to our justice system over the last few years, that’s something to celebrate. Or is it? What if this is just someone else using the Hawks for their own games, their own agenda? Cwele must have a political enemy of some sort, most politicians do. So far, thankfully, there hasn’t been the usual ritual of support from the ANC and the alliance partners. We hope that’s because even they are indeed shocked at this. Here’s one of their own, arrested by their own (the Hawks are not the Scorpions, remember), on allegations of dealing in something most people can’t condone. Frederick Forsyth has made a fortune from wonderful, detailed, but just-this-side-of-far-fetched plots. What’s scary is that it’s not far-fetched in this country to think that our intelligence service is being abused. It’s not over-imaginative to think that someone could be recording conversations of law enforcement officials and using them to get someone off the hook. And it’s not out of the ordinary to think that a husband, impossibly upset about the prospect of his wife going to jail, would use all the resources at his disposal to help her. Of course, he should step down temporarily. But, of course, he won’t. By Stephen Grootes (Grootes is an EWN reporter)
EN BREF, CE 02 février 2010… AGNEWS / OMAR, BXL,02/02/2010 |
BURUNDI – AFRICA / INTERNATIONAL : 02 FEVRIER 2010 [Somalia's Al Shabaab to Ally With Al Qaeda]
