By Nangayi Guyson – Lagos -BBC- Nigeria’s government plans over mass evictions in the oil-rich Niger Delta has been criticized by the rights group Amnesty International warning that continued development may leave as many as 200,000 people homeless. In 2009, the Rivers State government began plans to rebuild parts of the city. They are demolishing slums on the waterfront as part of the “Greater Port Harcourt master plan”. But Amnesty says Plans for urban development and slum demolition have been a violently contested issue in Port Harcourt. Forced evictions regularly spark demonstrations there and police have even fired live rounds... Continue Reading
By Nangayi Guyson – THE HAGUE, Netherlands –The International Criminal Court has urged Kenya to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir if he visits for a summit this weekend. The tribunal announced Tuesday. Kenyan government drew international condemnation in August when authorities there failed to arrest al-Bashir a month after the Hague-based court issued an arrest warrant for him in July for allegedly masterminding genocide in Darfur, but Kenya hosted him in August without being arrested. Kenya’s refusal to arrest al-Bashir, who also is charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes, raised doubts about the country’s willingness to hand over... Continue Reading
MAU NAROK, 26 October 2010 (IRIN) – A water well, serving two different ethnic groups in Kenya’s Rift Valley province, has done more to bring them together than government and civil society efforts, say locals. “This well is an interaction point for the two communities, we always have a chance to meet as we fetch water for our households,” Ishmael Langat, a resident of Kirima village in Mau Narok, told IRIN. Langat is a member of the Kalenjin community, which, in early 2008, was involved in violent clashes with members of other ethnic communities following disputed presidential elections. The post-election... Continue Reading
By Own Correspondent – Balla Jarju, the third prosecution witness, on Friday told the Brikama Magistrates’ Court that he was charged D60,000 by the first accused person, Jerreh Jarju, for the conditional release of his brother, who was arrested for being in possession of cannabis in Foni. The witness was giving evidence in the ongoing trial involving Samba Camara, officer commanding the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) in the West Coast Region, and Jarreh Jarju, station officer, Sibanor Police Station. Balla Jarju, a native of Nyakoi Bintang village in the West Coast Region, appeared before Magistrate Nkea of the Brikama... Continue Reading
By Own Correspondent – The state has announced it is taking over the trial of 17 suspected rebels from Casamance from the police prosecutors, a case brought before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on 13th October 2010. The Director of Special Litigation at the Attorney General’s Chambers, Barrister D.O. Kulo, on Friday told presiding Magistrate Emmanuel Nkea: “We are applying for the charges against the accused persons to be withdrawn, and the case be struck out. We have filed a new indictment at the Special Criminal Court of the High Court in Banjul before Justice Ikpala.” Magistrate Nkea subsequently granted his... Continue Reading
