http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/africa/ en-us Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:35:38 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048114/posts HARARE, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- Zimbabwe's troubled central bank introduced new $100 billion banknotes Saturday in a desperate bid to ease the recurrent cash shortages plaguing the inflation-ravaged economy. The new bills officially come into circulation Monday, although they were already on the foreign currency dealers market Saturday. As high as they are, though, the new bills still aren't enough to buy a loaf of bread. They can only buy four oranges. The new note is equal to just one U.S. dollar Once-prosperous Zimbabwe has seen an unprecedented economic meltdown since it gained independence in 1980, with the official inflation rate... CNN http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048114/posts#comment Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:35:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048098/posts China's breathtaking transformation of their own country over the past couple of decades is accompanied by robust new Chinese enterprises all over the world. In this report on China's activities in Africa, the Chinese are seen to be involved in infrastructure projects across this vast continent. Everything about Africa is writ large - during the past twenty years, as China's economy exploded, Africa's population doubled. There are now over 900 million people living in Africa, and collectively the Africans have lower per capita wealth than the peoples of any other continent. But the potential in this vast land mass of... Eco World http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048098/posts#comment Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:03:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048044/posts FROM MATHIAS OKWE, ABUJA REPRIEVE may not be long in coming to the nation's pitiable infrastructure as China has promised to help out with about $50b (six trillion naira). The fund according to the Finance Minister, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman is to help rehabilitate the nation's contemptibly poor infrastructure. Already, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the Africa Finance Company (AFC) on the one hand; and the Managing Directors of Zenith Bank, Oceanic Bank and First Bank on the other on behalf of other Nigerian financial institutions with the Chinese Export Credit Guarantee Agency called SINOSURE for the... The Guardian, Lagos http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048044/posts#comment Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:11:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048079/posts The entire world may not have sat up and taken notice in the last week, and that is probably just fine with China, which has just made a major move into central Africa. With its agreement to lend $5 billion to Congo, what might have often looked like a grab-bag approach to the African continent by a country with only sporadic involvement there has finally taken on a distinct outline. .............................................. It must be said that China has chosen a daunting proving ground for its long-held ideas about engagement with the developing world, which could be summed up as "it's... International Herald Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048079/posts#comment Sat, 19 Jul 2008 18:05:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048065/posts SHANGHAI: Ernest Ndukwe, head of the Nigerian telephone regulator, had personal guides for shopping, sightseeing and dining when he visited Hong Kong this month, all courtesy of Huawei Technologies. Huawei, the biggest Chinese telephone-equipment maker, and rival ZTE, could be in joint control of more than half the Nigerian cellphone equipment market by 2007, four years after they started operating in the most-populous African nation, Ndukwe said in an interview this month. Their prices in Nigeria are 40 percent lower than those of companies like Ericsson and Alcatel- Lucent, he said.Huawei and ZTE, both based in Shenzhen, are courting officials... International Herald Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048065/posts#comment Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:25:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048039/posts By Lesley Wroughton WASHINGTON, July 10 (Reuters) - China is ramping up financing for power and transport projects in Africa, with the majority in four countries endowed with natural resources, according to a report by the World Bank on Thursday. The report, which looks at the growing role of the Chinese government as a financier of infrastructure projects in Africa, estimates China's funding for roads, railways and power projects peaked at $7 billion in 2006 from just $1 billion a year between 2001-03. The bulk of those commitments were to Nigeria, Angola, Sudan and Ethiopia and is welcome in a... http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1045770020080710 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2048039/posts#comment Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:00:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047735/posts Abdurrahman Ahmed, spokesperson from Ethiopian Telecommunications Corporation, says that ETC has signed a contract worth about US$2.4 billion with three Chinese companies to help upgrade and expand the African nation's telecom services. Eight companies, including Siemens, Nokia, Alcatel and Ericsson, participated in the bidding, but ultimately three Chinese companies, ZTE, Huawei and China International Telecommunication Construction Corporation, won the deal. According to their contract, these three will help ETC extend its fiber cable from current 4000 kilometers to 10000 kilometers before 2010. Among other strategic plans, according to Abdurrahman, are increasing the number of mobile subscribers from 1.5 million to... ChinaTechnews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047735/posts#comment Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:28:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047692/posts Full scale work by the Chinese begins to rebuild 2,050 miles of roads in the Democratic Republic of Congo, left to rot in the rainforest after the Belgian colonialists pulled out 48 years ago and further shattered by seven years of war. The vast project, which will triple Congo's current paved road network, is part of China's largest investment in Africa, a £4.5 billion infrastructure-for-minerals deal signed in January. As well as the roads, Beijing has promised to repair 2,000 miles of largely defunct railways, build 32 hospitals and 145 health centres, install two electricity distribution networks, construct two hydropower... The Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047692/posts#comment Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:13:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047631/posts In March, under the banner, ‘The New Colonialists?’ the Economist explored China’s role and impact in Africa. This followed a Forum for China-Africa Cooperation hosted by Beijing in November 2006, when 48 African heads of state signed deals worth billions of dollars. ................... But it is not Western governments that the Chinese appear to be upsetting. For years Western NGOs have sought to teach their domestic audiences that all that is required in Africa is small-scale, sustainable development. Oxfam encourages people to buy Africans a goat, some seed, condoms, a toilet, or even dung for Christmas. And all this comes... The Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047631/posts#comment Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:03:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047579/posts On June 5, 1873, in a letter to The Times, Sir Francis Galton, the cousin of Charles Darwin and a distinguished African explorer in his own right, outlined a daring (if by today's standards utterly offensive) new method to 'tame' and colonise what was then known as the Dark Continent. 'My proposal is to make the encouragement of Chinese settlements of Africa a part of our national policy, in the belief that the Chinese immigrants would not only maintain their position, but that they would multiply and their descendants supplant the inferior Negro race,' wrote Galton. 'I should expect that... dailymail.co.uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047579/posts#comment Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:15:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047401/posts LONDON — There was a time, not all that long ago, when he was the invisible man whose name was a battle cry, his appearance known to most people only from an out-of-date photograph, a hidden hero on a prison island off the coast of Africa. But as he celebrated his 90th birthday Friday, Nelson Mandela was anything but invisible, a figure of reverence whose nine decades have been marked and observed at a huge rock concert in London’s Hyde Park, a gala dinner for his children’s charity in the august, chandeliered Long Room at Lord’s cricket ground and a... New York Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047401/posts#comment Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:39:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047340/posts Sudan's Bashir 'masterminded' genocide: Prosecutor UN to withdraw staff as backlash fears grow Steven Edwards, Canwest News Service Published: Monday, July 14, 2008 UNITED NATIONS - The chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court formally accused the Sudanese president Monday of being the “mastermind” of what he called a genocidal campaign against three ethnic groups in Sudan’s western Darfur region.... They are expected to take about three months to review the evidence, which Moreno-Ocampo says shows al-Bashir used the Sudanese army and members of the Arab Janjaweed militias to escalate a conflict that has left 300,000 dead and driven 2.5... canada.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047340/posts#comment Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:34:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047072/posts DAKAR (Reuters) - Senegal's president said on Thursday George W. Bush told African leaders at one stage the United States might send troops to Sudan's Darfur if they did not act to halt what he saw as genocide there. President Abdoulaye Wade said Bush, who has lobbied strongly for robust international action to end the five-year-old conflict in Darfur, ... Commenting on the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor's move this week to seek a war crimes arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Wade said Bush had "always proclaimed loudly and clearly that the United States considered Bashir had... Reuters on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047072/posts#comment Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:17:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047050/posts The final vote was 80-16 with Senators Barack Obama and John McCain, both original sponsors of the bill, on the campaign trail and not available to cast a vote However, the $200 billion already spent by U.S. taxpayers on HIV/AIDS here and around the world has not resulted in any cures or a vaccine. On final passage, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky voted with Majority Leader Reid and the Democrats.In addition to spending $50 billion at a time of growing economic difficulties in the U.S., the bill lifts the ban on entry into the U.S. of AIDS-infected aliens,... AIM http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2047050/posts#comment Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:37:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2046857/posts Out of 33 million infected world-wide, 22.5 million live in sub-Saharan Africa. What is going on there that is resulting in such high numbers? Part of it could be the Bangui definition for AIDS. In 1985, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization met in Bangui, Central African Republic. It was here they created the Bangui definition, which was to be used to diagnose AIDS when HIV tests were not available. That's right, they are not even checking for HIV. The Bangui definition lists specific symptoms the health service provider should look for, such as: Weight loss... All American Blogger http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2046857/posts#comment Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:18:04 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046757/posts Only 16 Senators, all conservative Republicans, voted against the massive $50 billion global AIDS spending bill (S. 2731) when it came up for a final vote on Wednesday night. The outcome, which included the addition of water projects for Indian reservations, demonstrated the complicity of both major political parties in out-of-control spending designed to benefit a powerful special interest group. The final vote was 80-16 with Senators Barack Obama and John McCain, both original sponsors of the bill, on the campaign trail and not available to cast a vote on the Senate floor. Dr. Paul Zeitz of the Global AIDS... Accuracy in Media http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046757/posts#comment Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:27:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046694/posts LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and Nigeria said on Wednesday they would set up a security training force to help the West African country tackle lawlessness in its southern oil producing Niger delta region. The announcement coincided with an attack by gunmen on Nigerian security forces in their boat in the Niger Delta. Five people were killed and several wounded in the shootout, army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa said. He said about 30 armed men in speedboats had attacked a navy boat that was guarding key oil facilities in southern Rivers state. Nigeria is the world's eighth biggest oil exporter,... reuters.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046694/posts#comment Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:10:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046624/posts A genetic variant peculiar to Africans substantially raises their risk of infection with HIV, according to research that suggests evolved susceptibility may be helping to drive the continent’s Aids epidemic. The 90 per cent of Africans who carry the DNA variation are 40 per cent more likely to contract HIV than those without it, after similar exposure to the virus, scientists from Britain and America have found. As the genetic change is common among people of African ancestry but virtually unknown among other ethnic groups, it could explain in part why HIV-Aids is more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. The United... timesonline.co.uk http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046624/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:54:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046569/posts PRETORIA (AFP) — South Africa on Tuesday labelled as "unacceptable" suggestions by a US ambassador at the United Nations that President Thabo Mbeki was "out of touch" regarding Zimbabwe's political crisis. "The extraordinary and unacceptable statements made will be taken up through diplomatic channels," South African deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad said. "A British representative said South African mediation efforts had come to nought and we have achieved nothing," he added. "The US representative made remarks about Russia not being a worthy member of the G8 and suggested that President Thabo Mbeki is out of touch with his own country.... AFP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046569/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:17:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046521/posts   Private jets, Bugatti cars, a shark-filled aquarium and enough bank accounts to paper the new luxury yacht - the extraordinary capacity of some African leaders and their families for apparent self-enrichment has been laid bare in a French lawsuit over allegedly stolen state money. Following an inquiry last year by the French fraud body OCRGDF, an anti-corruption campaign group has accused a string of African politicians of plundering vast sums from the often struggling economies of their countries. (edit)The richest parts of France are teeming with homes, cars, boats and other expensive baubles belonging - in practice, at... The Telegraph (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2046521/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:33:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2046355/posts THE Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on Muslims to remain committed to Islamic principles of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. Apparently reacting to reports of growing religious tension in some parts of the country, especially in Lagos, Ibadan and Osogbo, MURIC in a statement in Lagos charged Muslims to resist the temptation to revenge, remain calm and ignore all forms of provocation. According to MURIC, the reports were related to preaching, singing and clapping inside public vehicles particularly the BRT buses recently introduced by the Lagos State government. It observed that Muslims who ride the BRT and other public... Nigerian Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2046355/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:54:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2046302/posts MORE than 40 members of the Deeper Life Church in and around Umuolighe in Alaoma community near Omoba in Isialangwa South Local Government Area of Abia State died mysteriously at the weekend shortly after a family deliverance prayer session. The incident, which occurred early Saturday morning, came to people’s knowledge on Sunday. Nigerian Tribune gathered that one Mr. Martin Iheukwumere, a zonal coordinator of the Deeper Life Bible Church, had organised the family deliverance in his newly-built house in the community and had invited other church workers and family members. Sources also said since he built the house, he had... Nigerian Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2046302/posts#comment Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:25:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2045520/posts ...Eloise and John, 70, had recently moved into their own house on a gated farm in Kenya, where they grow food for local children. They were working with the non-profit organization Hope for the Nations, based in Kelowna, B.C. The Bergens' lives have long focused on their faith. John said he first fell in love with Eloise after watching her perform with her family band at his church as a teenager. While in college, he befriended Eloise's professor parents, and before long, asked her hand in marriage. They became ministers together in 1962, and married in 1964. The retired couple... Ottawacitizen.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2045520/posts#comment Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:30:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2045544/posts Cha-Ching! After Friday's 65-3 vote to proceed, the Senate is finally coming to terms on one of the most expensive aid programs of the session, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Although the House passed PEPFAR overwhelmingly in the spring, the Senate bill has been delayed while conservatives strategized on how to remove some contentious language with global pro-abortion implications. As it now stands, the $50 billion reauthorization of the President's 2003 plan keeps in place the heavy emphasis on abstinence and fidelity in HIV/AIDS prevention, which have not only been the most ethical approach but, as many... Family Research Council - Washington Update http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2045544/posts#comment Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:36:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2045228/posts Leaders of several underdeveloped African nations came to the Group of Eight summit in Japan last week and requested more financial aid from G8 countries, says Erin Wildermuth, a Koch Journalism Fellow at the American Spectator. Thus far, only $3.9 billion of the promised $26.1 billion in aid to Africa has been dispersed, according to a report put together by the nonprofit ONE campaign. But when countries receive more aid, the effectiveness of this money is heavily disputed, says Wildermuth: Since the 1980s Africa has received over $450 billion in development assistance. In comparison, the Marshall Plan only designated $13... ncpa.org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2045228/posts#comment Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:12:54 GMT