A delegation of AfriForum, who returned from a weeklong fact-finding mission in Zimbabwe this week, said that human rights violations in Zimbabwe are continuing unabatedly under the Mugabe regime, in spite of the implementation of a unity government in this country. AfriForum’s delegation also found that the South African government does not lift a finger to assist South African citizens who fall victim to the Zimbabwe regime’s human rights violations. According to Kallie Kriel, executive director of AfriForum who was part of the delegation that went to Zimbabwe, discussions were held with people who fell victim to violent attacks and... Continue Reading
They do not talk about this in public. They talk about press freedom and perceived potential external threats to it from government, the ruling party and not threats from commercial interests. Therefore, the debate about “who pays for the news” must also be opened, in a constructive manner. Are editors under pressure to sell their papers at whatever cost, including at times relying on unchecked and unverified smears in order to boost sales? What protection does an ordinary citizen who cannot afford lawyers have when their rights have been violated? How can they compete with powerful business interests who control... Continue Reading
The former Fugees member arrived in Haiti from Belgium, where he held a concert possibly one of his last for five years if elected, he said. Jean, who appeared relaxed and was wearing a blue track suit and headphones around his neck, spoke at the main airport in Port-au-Prince. He touched on issues of security, former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide and on what being a celebrity has taught him about politics. “Celebrity has taught me that politics is ‘poli-tricks’,” he said. “The fact that I’m coming with this with fresh eyes but not naive ears, I think that’s a... Continue Reading
By Mark Oloo (Nairobi) – Barack Obama’s family has reached an agreement with the Kenyan government to construct a tourism centre in honour of the birthplace of the US president’s father. The planned tourism and cultural facility will cost Sh100,000 million ($8 million), Kenya’s National Heritage Minister William Ntimama said, after holding talks with the family. Mr Ntimama added a plot was identified and construction of the centre would continue in Nyangoma Kogelo, Western Kenya. The foundation stone has been laid. Obama’s father, Barack Obama Senior, is buried in Kogelo, where the rest of the family, including the US president’s... Continue Reading
Allan Ssempebwa Kyobe – Four Ugandans were on Thursday paraded by Uganda’s Intelligence agency, the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and confessed to the bombings that rocked Kampala last month. They included Mr.Isa Ahmed Luyima, Hassan Luyima, Edris Nsubuga and Mohammed Mugisha. The group’s coordinator, Isa Luyima revealed that he had connections to the Al-Shabab militia which trained him for four months in Mogadishu, Somalia in 2009.The Al-Shabab militia which operates in Somalia against the interim Somali government under President Ahmed Sharif is accused by the Ugandan government for sponsoring terror attacks to two of the country’s restaurants on July... Continue Reading
