Headlines

The summit of heads of states of the most important political body in Africa holding in Kigali, Rwanda's capital ends today without the shadow of Cameroon's ailing  President Paul Biya.

The 27th summit of the African Union (AU) opened last Sunday, July 17, 2016 in the Rwandan capital. Several heads of states from all over Africa took  part in this  annual event which had as its main objectives, the voting of  the president of the Commission, and the introduction of the new Diplomatic Passport to members.

Cameroon was unfortunately represented instead  by Foreign Minister, Lejeune Mbella Mbella. Mr Paul Biya, President of Cameroon, who has been in power for over 34 years is actually  one of the deans of the Union and his presence was of great significance, but the Cameroonian leader was once more out of sight at this year's summit. Mr Biya was notoriously  the only head of state absent from the  Central Africa bloc at the summit in Kigali .
At the ongoing summit, the outgoing Chairperson, Mrs Dlamini Zuma, issued the first two copies of the new African Union Passport  to the Chairperson of the AU,Chadian President, Idris Deby and Rwandan President, Paul Kagame.

Zuma said even though the initial plan was to issue the passport to heads of state, foreign affairs ministers and diplomats, the AU had been overwhelmed by calls from many who want to share in the privilege of holding the passport.

She said member-states should accept the challenge of issuing the passports to their nationals within their systems.
She said the commission had championed the rights of women, youth involvement in the continent’s development strides into the future and the launch of the African passport.

Mrs Zuma challenged the next commission to work towards achieving the 2063 agenda already set.

The AU is expected to choose a new chairperson to run the affairs of the commission for the next four years.

The electronic passport is proposed as an anecdote for dissolving border restrictions, thus building greater opportunities for trade within the continent, in hopes of boosting the overall economy.
Anyone with an A.U. passport would be allowed to travel freely within the union’s 54 countries without a visa. Government officials and heads of state at the A.U. headquarters in Ethiopia, will be the first to use the all-Africa passport, which is expected to expand to all citizens in 2018.
Despite the economic benefits, the passport could have an opposite effect

Details

Rita Akana

19.Jul.2016

Hits: 2388

Write comment (0 Comments)

The Organization of African First Ladies (OAFLA) who joined their husbands on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) summit in Rwanda, have recommitted to their fight to make Africa a continent free of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as well as maternal and child mortality.Conspiciously absent was Cameroon's  First Lady Chantal Biya who has been out of the country for over 2 months now.

The new resolve forms part of the recommendations from the 17th Assembly of the African First Ladies meeting in Kigali. The meeting asserted that OAFLA was committed to: stop HIV infection and reduce vulnerability among young women and adolescent girls.

It further stressed to continue to advocate for increased investment in the health system; accelerate advocacy for enhanced health education; and to support youth and civil society in policy and program initiatives that promote young women’s well-being as leaders and agents of social change in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) and national governments.

They also committed to continue to ensure the launch of the campaign to End Child Marriage in all their countries.

Kenyan First Lady, Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta, chaired the just ended session on behalf of the OAFLA Chairperson, First Lady of Ghana, Dr. Lordina Mahama.

In her opening remarks, she outlined some of the activities undertaken by OAFLA since the last convention in January 2016.

Africannews

Details

Rita Akana

19.Jul.2016

Hits: 1837

Write comment (0 Comments)

All candidates vying for the position of the African Union Commission eliminated and the elections suspended.

The three candidates Uganda’s former Vice President Specioza Kazibwe, Botswana’s Pelomi Venson-Moitoi and Equatorial Guinea candidate Agapito Mba Mokuy, scored 11, 16 and 12 votes.None of the three candidates has got 2/3 of 53

Details

Rita Akana

18.Jul.2016

Hits: 1892

Write comment (0 Comments)

Today 18 July marks the UN's Mandela Day. This is a day meant to honour the late former South African President and designed to encourage ordinary folk to follow his example in their own small way.

The day promotes the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world through their action in the service of others.

On Mandela Day, people around the globe are encouraged to do 67 minutes of good.

The former statesman spent 67 years fighting for freedom and making a difference.

Upholding Madiba’s legacy should not only be about the annual jamboree to perform humanitarian deeds for 67 minutes. It should also by about developing leadership in society that espouses his values and principles. At a time when the world is in distress, perhaps it needs some Madiba magic – if only to pass on his legacy of outstanding leadership to future generations.

Details

Rita Akana

18.Jul.2016

Hits: 1402

Write comment (0 Comments)

Cameroonian hostages held in Central African Republic  were freed on Sunday following 16 months of captivity, after having been abducted by a militia group according to  a statement from the Cameroonian presidency .

The hostages included a local mayor, Mama Abakai, and 12 others, but two died in captivity, said President Paul Biya in the statement, adding that the crime would not go unpunished.

It was not clear which militia abducted them or how they were freed.

They were kidnapped in March 2015 by heavily armed men while returning from a funeral in Cameroon's northern Gbabio district, and taken over the nearby border to the Central African Republic.

"The Cameroonian hostages were freed today and they are en route to Yaounde," Governor Grégoire Mvono told Reuters.

An upsurge of violence in the Central African Republic that began in 2013 has caused thousands to flee across the border and increased insecurity in parts of Cameroon.

Islamist militant group Boko Haram has also staged numerous cross-border attacks from Nigeria into Cameroon's Far North Region. 

Reuters

 

Details

Rita Akana

18.Jul.2016

Hits: 1764

Write comment (0 Comments)

Turkey ‘coup attempt’ underway – prime minister

The Turkish military has released a statement saying they have taken control of the country in the name of democratic order, although Prime Minister Binali Yildirim warns that it is wrong to refer to the events as a coup.

Military say they have taken control
PM confirms coup attempt underway
Istanbul bridges closed
Social media blocked

Binali Yildirim added that the military are acting outside the chain of command and security forces are working to resolve the situation.

“The government elected by the people remains in charge. This government will only go when the people say so,” he remarked earlier. He said those responsible for the attempted coup will “pay the highest price”.

YIldirim insisted that the government remained in power, although unnamed military sources said that it had taken over for “democratic order”.

The fate of a charity match organized by Cameroonian superstar Samuel Eto'o which was to go on tomorrow Saturday remains uncertain as all main airports into the country have been closed.All international flights cancelled.

Details

Rita Akana

15.Jul.2016

Hits: 1979

Write comment (0 Comments)