ABIDJAN, 21 December 2010 (IRIN) – Gunshots at night, beatings, unexplained disappearances of ordinary civilians and makeshift barriers around homes have become commonplace in Côte d’Ivoire’s main city, Abidjan, in the chaotic aftermath of the presidential election. As violence threatens to spiral, Ivoirians say ethnic and regional divisions are sharper than ever. Both the incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara – a northerner – have claimed victory in the 28 November presidential run-off. Independent electoral commission results put Ouattara as the victor, but the Gbagbo camp rejected that, threw out poll results in seven northern departments – alleging mass fraud... Continue Reading
By Olusegun A. Ogundeji – The World Bank has today signed an agreement worth US$10 million with the Government of Sierra Leone in support of the Fourth Governance Reform and Growth Credit, a Development Policy Operation (DPO) – the first in a new three-year series. Aimed at helping the Government continue with the implementation of the country’s Agenda for Change priorities, the credit will, amongst other things, contribute to the Government’s efforts in maintaining poverty reducing spending and promoting private sector growth while safeguarding macroeconomic stability. “The measures supported by this credit are expected to have a positive impact on... Continue Reading
By Olusegun A. Ogundeji – According to a statement from the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) on yesterday, Chinese President Hu Jintao has appointed seven new ambassadors to foreign countries. Among them is a replacement for its envoy to Sierra Leone, Qiu Shaofang. The newly-appointed ambassador to Sierra Leone is Kuang Weilin.
By Own Correspondent – Security forces in Uganda have urged the citizens to stay vigilant after grenade attacks on a Ugandan bound Coach from Nairobi yesterday evening leaving two people dead and injuring over 26 people. Monday’s explosion went off as passengers checked-in to board the Coach. A scuffle ensued between security at the check-in point and three men carrying a box from which the explosion originated moments later according to eye witnesses at the scene. This comes 5months after the July bomb blast that rocked the country’s capital, Kampala as revelers turned out to watch 2010 World Cup finals.... Continue Reading
By Fredrick Mugira – You wake up a few minutes passed midnight because three green insects disabled in one way or the other are walking on the floor. Because they are fluttering around in the living room. They probably passed through a ventilator. And you hear a swam of similar insects fluttering on the corrugated metal sheets of your roof. And you wonder what is happening. So you switch on the lights. Open the window a little bit to see what is happening outside. Only to attract four more similar insects inside attracted by the lights. And you discover they... Continue Reading
