By Own Correspondent – “We need change, and we are here to change the political system in this country. The APRC has been ruling for 16 years now, and I think Africa as a whole should consider changing our political situation, and make sure that no leader sits for more than two terms. Two terms is enough for every leader”, declared Gambian opposition leader Henry Gomez, in an exclusive interview with The Point. His comments came as the race to the 2011 presidential election inches closer. Henry Gomez, who is the party leader and Secretary General of the Gambia Party... Continue Reading
BY NANGAYI GUYSON IN KAMPALA UGANDA – ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast –The leaders of West African countries have given who is now believed to be former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo a last warning to hand over power peacefully or to be removed forcefully. . The demand was made late Friday but he has shown no interest in doing so. While doubts exist about whether the region could carry out such a military operation, residents remain fearful of the violence it could unleash if attempted. However , outside the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan , dozens of people gathered holding signs that... Continue Reading
By Own Correspondent – As the dust surrounding the political impasse in Ivory Coast is showing no sign of abating, Ousainou Darboe, leader of the opposition United Democratic Party, has condemned the hanging onto power by the incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, describing it as “unjustifiable and self-perpetuating rule”. Darboe spoke in an interview with this reporter, at the weekend, in which he dwelt on a wide range of issues both at the national and international level. In this interview, the Gambian opposition leader stressed the need for Gbagbo to concede defeat and cooperate with the Government of Alassan Ouattara, for the... Continue Reading
By Bai-Bai Sesay – President Ernest Bai Koroma, cabinet Ministers, diplomats and representatives of the international community recently held a one day 1st presidential workshop on Global Fund grants in Sierra Leone organized by the Country Coordinating Mechanism of the Global Fund Sierra Leone (CCMSL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation with support from the German BACKUP Initiative (GTZ) at the Njala Venue, Lumley Beach Road Freetown. In his keynote address, President Koroma told participants that Global Fund started in 2003 with two million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in the country. He pointed out that... Continue Reading
By Kizito Makoye, Dar es Salaam – A group of donors that provide general budget support (GBS) to Tanzania has once again criticized the government for its slow pace in fighting petty and grand corruption. Speaking at the National Policy Dialogue in Dar es Salaam recently, a minister counselor at the Royal Norwegian Embassy Mr. Svein Baera, who chairs the GBS group of development partners; expressed concern on lack of progress in key sectors despite massive donor support ostensibly due to corruption. Tanzanian people’s direct experience of corruption risks leading to a culture that becomes a vicious circle, he said.... Continue Reading
