AU: Report says several AU decisions shelved

A total of 264 measures recommended by the Executive Board or the Conference of AU heads of state and government in several sessions, have either not been implemented or were only partially implemented, according to a report from the Executive Board that PANA obtained on Wednesday at the on-going AU summit in the Libyan city of Sirte.

The report says 161 actions in relation to 38 decisions and a declaration made by the Executive Board and 103 other actions linked to 42 decisions and 7 declarations were identified as being measures to be taken.

In the course of their proceedings from 24 to 27 June, the representatives had expressed deep concern about this situation that questions “the credibility of the African Union and which constitutes its main weakness”.

They said this weak level of implementation for adopted measures was “a shared responsibility between member states and AU organs involved in implementation”.

This situation is particularly justified by the fact that the member states, the Commission and the other organs do not have the adequate capacities at their disposal, says the Committee of Permanent Representatives (CPR).

Some representatives point out that the main problem in the implementation of measures is the absence of adequate financial means.

In this context, decisions must be taken in relation to the means of the AU.

The report on the implementation of measures taken by the Executive Board and the Conference had the same conclusions.

“It is extremely important that measures be taken after profound evaluation of their financial impacts and human resources and institutional capacities required by the African Union and the other concerned organs as well as member states inv o lved in the implementation process,” according to the CPR.

To solve this problem, the representatives proposed in a report to rationalise the number of projects submitted for adoption to AU organs.

In addition, they asked the member countries, the Commission and the other organs that measure projects to be submitted to the deliberative organs be given an evaluation sheet for their financial impacts, their financing sources a nd their institutional implementation capacities.

CPR and the Commission are also urged to hold consultations immediately after the summit to examine and agree on a mechanism for the monitoring and implementation of these measures.

Sirte - 01/07/2009

Pana

Ghana eyes economic, diplomatic gains from Obama visit

US President Barak Obama is a very popular man in Ghana. Millions of Ghanaians celebrated his success in last November’s US election that put the first black man ever into the White House.

Shortly after the election, T-shirts, car stickers and other souvenirs went on sale in Ghana and were snapped up quickly.

So when the glistening Air Force One touches down at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on 10 July, President Obama and his wife, Michelle, can expect nothing but a tumultuous welcome. Not least because Ghanaians feel a sense of pride for their country being picked by President Obama for his first official visit to Africa.

Why not? Ghana blazed the trail as the beacon of hope in the decolonization era with the country’s charismatic first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, being the arrow head in the struggle for independence of African countries.

It did not come as a surprise, therefore, that Ghana became the first country so uth of the Sahara to achieve independence on 6 March, 1957. And after unpleasant moments with military coups and counter coups, Ghana has, since 1992 when it began anoth er journey on the multi-party democratic road, shown that its democratic credentials are being strengthened.

The White House said the US was using the visit to strengthen its relations with “one of our most trusted partners”, while the government of Ghana has described the visit as historic and significant in all dimensions.

Koku Anyidoho, Head of Communications at the Presidency, believes the increasing attention being given to Ghana by the international community is indicative of the recognition by world leaders of Ghana’s meaningful democratic culture and President John Evans Atta Mills’ effective and efficient style of administration.

Indeed, government officials, entrepreneurs and politicians across the political divide are calling for the country to reap the utmost benefit from the two-day visit, the third successive visit by as many US presidents after Bill Clinton (1988) and George B ush (2008).

Information Minister Zita Okaikoi, echoing the sentiments of Ghanaians, said Ghana was privileged to have the first Black-American President visiting the country and added that the event would have a long term impact on the country.

She also expressed the belief the President Obama’s visit would go a long way to boost the tourism industry and the economy in general.

A retired Ghanaian diplomat, Mr K.B. Asante, and the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, believe President Obama’s is to reward Ghana’s leadership role in Africa and urge President Mills and the government to take advantage of the visit to present Africa’s case to the US President with regard to fighting t h e scourge of poverty, hunger, disease and under-development in general.

Mr Asante wants the government to depart from the “beggar mentality” to a “posture of confidence” in dealing with its American guests, while Mr Osei-Adjei stressed the need to discuss issues, such as how the US could assist Ghana to tackle the drug menace.

But the economy will be high on the agenda at bilateral talks, as Ghana needs massive investment and assistance to climb out of the world economic crisis.

Already, there are signs of a favourable response from bilateral and multilateral sources of help, the latest being a US$535 million package approved the World Bank aimed at helping Ghana to improve economic governance and stabilize the economy.

Finance and Economic Planning Minister Kwabena Duffuor said recent negotiations with the multilateral institutions have produced an inflow of US$1.2 billion bud g etary and project support from the World Bank, and a possible US$1.0 billion from the Inte rnational Monetary Fund (IMF) for balance of payments support.

Duffuor, summarising the challenges, said the economy at the end of 2008 was characterised by severe imbalances, reflected in the fiscal deficit which widened from 9% of GDP in 2007 to 14.9% of GDP in 2008.

“The 2008 deficit does not include expenditure arrears running into millions of cedis (local currency) we are currently uncovering,” he said.

The country therefore needs investment and Duffuor was happy that available information from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) showed that foreign direct investment increased during the first quarter of this year.

The GIPC said total new investments for the first quarter of this year amounted to US$372.32 million, comprising US$363.34 million worth of re-investments (capital goods imported) and US$8.98 million equity transfers for new projects registered.

This reflects an increase of 45.1% over the total new investments for the corresponding quarter in 2008, and was a direct result of the efforts being made by the Government to restore stability and confidence in the economy.

Analysts said with adequate diplomatic contact, Ghana will reap the economic benefits of the visit of President Obama - the man recently voted the top global political leader in a poll of 20 nations conducted by WorldPublicOpinion.org - long after he has flown back home.

Accra - 02/07/2009

By Mawusi Afele, PANA Correspondent

Zuma in Libya for AU Summit 2009

South African President Jacob Zuma is attending the 21st Summit of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) which kicked off in Sirte, Libya, on Wednesday.

Zuma is also leading the South African government delegation to the 13th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit (AU) under the theme "Investing in Agriculture for Economic Growth and Food Security".

Among other things, the summit is considering the outcome of a study on the integration of NEPAD into the structures and processes of the African Union and the preparation for Africa's participation in the G-8 Summit taking place in L'Aquila, Italy, next week.

Zuma also attended the 11th Summit of the African Peer Review Mechanism, which Tuesday considered the country review reports of Mozambique, Lesotho and Mali.

Cape Town - 01/07/2009

Pana

Egypt shoots dead two Somalis on Israel border

In the third shooting incident in less than two weeks on Egypt’s border with Israel, two Somali refugees were shot dead Thursday morning by Egyptian border guards, according to a Somali refugee living in Cairo.

He said that the refugees had been attempting to sneak into Israel, but were stopped and shot by Egyptian police before they were able to enter the Jewish state. At least 6 people have been killed on the border in the past month and a half weeks.

“They were going to the border, but were not able to make it because police opened fire on them,” said Ali, a Somali refugee who himself had attempted such crossing last fall but turned back out of fear. He said a smuggle r contacted him early on Thursday with the sad news.

Egypt has killed nearly 40 African migrants since January 2008, according to hum an rights organisation.

The majority of individuals attempting to cross hail from Eritrea and Sudan, but an increasing number of other nationalities, including Somalis and Ethiopians, are attempting the dangerous crossing of Sinai in an effort to start a new life in Israel.

“It is horrible what happened to these people, but the government needs to under stand what is going on here in this country for us refugees,” said Ali, “because it is not good. We don’t have much of a life here in Egypt and a lot of people beli eve Israel is a better chance to start again.”

Egypt has been pressured by Israel in recent years to end the smuggling and tran sfer of goods and people across the lengthy desert border. Cairo responded last year by deploying additional police to the area and began a policy, condemned by Human Rights Watch (HRW), of “shoot-to-kill” of refugees.

In a 2008 report issued by HRW, it condemned the Egyptian government’s dealings with refugees along the border, saying they pose “little to no threat” to the security guards.

The New York-based organisation urged the Egyptian government to re-examine its policy of shooting migrants.

Cairo - 02/07/2009

Pana

Caravan of West African medical students visits Niger

A Caravan of West African medical students Thursday began work in Niger, looking after patients and monitoring their sexual and reproductive lives.

According to organizers of the Caravan or travel clinic, the 60-day event will see the student doctors treat patients in eight regions of the country.

The event was launched here with the Niger Minister of Higher Education, Research and Technologies, Sidikou Oumarou, and the US Ambassador to Niger, Bernardette Marie Allen, as witnesses.

According to the minister, "I expect the project to contribute to the improvement of the sexual and reproductive lives of Nigeriens.

"This can also bring about significant behavioural changes among the people and help them face more effectively some public health problems."

Niamey - 02/07/2009

Pana

Group slams Belgium for trying to sell 23 choppers to Madagascar

A powerful pressure group on security, the Group of Research and Information on Peace (GRIP), has slammed the Belgian military for trying to sell 23 helicopters to Madagascar, a country Brussels no longer recognise s following the political crisis that rocked Antananarivo.

The 23 choppers (of the "Alouette II" type), will be sold to Madagascar by the Belgian army through a broker, the deal of which is being shrouded in secrecy.

In a communiqué here, GRIP said the helicopters were being sold to the government of Andry Rajoelina, who organised a coup to topple the democratically-elected president, Marc Ravalomanana.

But the Belgian Defence Ministry said the helicopters were no longer in use by the military and therefore could be sold to any interested buyer.

Brussels - 02/07/2009

Pana

Ex-premier's party sceptical about Guinean polls

An official of Guinea's Party for Hope and National Development (PEDN), Sekou Diawara, said in Paris, France, on Thursday that it was "rather unlikely" for general elections to be held in 2009 in his country, noting that 70 per cent of the voters's register were yet to be updated.

"This is no secret: conditions have yet to be fulfilled for free and fair elections in 2009 in Guinea," Diawara, the Secretary for Political Affairs of the France-based Federation of PEDN, a political party founded by former Guinean Premier, Lansana Kouyaté, said during an interview with PANA.

"In addition to the fact that 70 per cent of the register are not updated, there are also logistic obstacles and the challenge for funding these elections," said the politician, envisaging an extension of the military transitional period.

The National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD), led by the ruling jun ta, bowing to international pressure, agreed to organise legislative and presidential polls in the country before the end of 2009.

"To me, it is unlikely to meet this deadline. In any case, PEDN is ready to go for elections, even if they were scheduled for next week," Diawara stressed.

He said Kouyaté's achievements when he served as the country's Prime-Minister made him a "naturally" favourite candidate for the next presidential elections.

"When Kouyaté held the position of prime minister, he gained the stature of a great statesman, as he showed his worth in the management of public affairs, including the construction of new roads, public electrification in Conakry and the use of solar energy.

"He is therefore a valuable contender for the next presidential polls," Diawara added.

Paris -Pana

Gabonese politicians to fix presidential election date

Gabonese political party leaders and the Minister of Interior and Local Authority, Jean François Ndougou, meeting here on Thursday, are expected to come out with a date for the country's presidential election, official sources told PANA.

According to Gabonese constitution, elections should be held 45 days after the a cting president, who must be chairman of the senate, is sworn in following the death of a president.

PANA recalls that the Gabonese Senate Chairman, Rose Rogombe, was sworn into off ice as acting president following the death of President Omar Bongo Ondimba on 8 June.

According to the sources, Gabonese political class is, however, considering the 45-day period too short to hold a free and fair presidential election.

Under the supervision of the Interior Ministry, elections are usually held only after the voters' register is revised, and displayed for possible objections and claims. These claims and objections must be resolved before actual voting will take place.

Libreville - 02/07/2009

Pana

Former Guinea Prime Minister released

Former Guinea Prime Minis ter Dr Ahmed Tidiane Soumare was released on Wednesday morning after being detained for a few hours at Peleton Mobile 3 (PM3), a garrison of the gendarmerie in Conakry, according to his immediate family.

The former head of the “broad-based” government under the late President Lansana Conte had been arraigned on Tuesday evening and taken to PM3 as he failed to keep his commitments of making a monthly payment for US$200,000 as promised when he was first arraigned last March.

His close relatives did not want to elaborate on the circumstances of the release of Dr Souare, also a former Minister of Mines (2005-2006). He was accused of misappropriating US$2.0 million taken from the Mine Funds at the Mine Department and meant to pay for study and research fees, office equipment and purchase of cars.

The former Prime Minister, who admitted the allegations at a televised debate led by the chief of the junta Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, was jailed, but later released after promising to pay off all the funds that disappeared.

Besides, his colleague Dr Ousmane Sylla, another former Mines Minister who was also released, after being accused of stealing about US$1.5 million from the Mine Funds, had also pledged to make monthly payments of US$200,000 that he owed.

However, another former Minister of Mines, Ahmed Kante, who refused to “collaborate” and did not admit to any misappropriation, as was affirmed by the Minister of Justice Colonel Siba Lolamou, has been in jail since last March.

Conakry - 02/07/2009

Pana

10 candidates to contest Mauritania election

A total of 10 cand idates have filed their papers to contest the 18 July Mauritanian presidential election.

The list of candidates for the presidential seat was made public by the constitutional court following its sitting on Tuesday.

The candidates are: Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, ex-leader of the military junta that ousted President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdalahi on 6 August 2008, Sarr Ibrahima Moctar, Sghair Ould M'Bareck and Kane Hamidou Baba.

The rest are Ahmed Ould Daddah, leader of the Rally of Democratic Forces (RDF), Mohamed Jemil Ould Mansour, Messaoud Ould Boulkheir, Ely Ould Mohamed Vall, former head of state, Hamada Ould Meimou and Saleh Ould Hanena.

The campaign for the election starts at midnight on Thursday.

The presidential election is provided for under the Dakar Framework Agreement for an inclusive return to constitutional legality signed on 2 June in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, to end the political and institutional crisis triggered by the coup.

Nouakchott - 01/07/2009

Pana

EU "worried" about political developments in Niger NEWS - AFRICA NEWS

The European Union (EU) said on Wednesday that it was "worried" about the latest developments in the political situation in the West African state of Niger after President Mamadou Tandja's decision to dismiss the 7 judges of the Constitutional Court.

The body is now deprived of its prerogatives of controlling the frequency and transparency of referendums and elections.

The EU said the decisions taken by President Tandja seriously called into question the basic elements of the Cotonou agreement, which could have direct repercussions on cooperation with Niger.

In a communiqué made available to the press in Brussels, the EU said democratic institutions and the Constitutional Court must be in a position to play their roles as guarantors of the rules and their rulings must be respected to the letter by everybody.

President Tandja assumed special powers under Article 53 of Niger's Constitution and decided to organise a referendum on 4 August that will allow his term of office to be extended by 3 years after his second and final term expires.

The current constitution, which dates back to 1999, bans any amendment to the term of office of the President of the Republic.

Last May, President Tandja dissolved the national assembly which opposed the draft amendments of the constitution.

Brussels - 01/07/2009

Pana

President Tandja takes emergency powers after failed bid for third term

AFP - Niger's President Mamadou Tandja Friday said he was assuming emergency powers after a failed bid to prolong his stay in office by changing the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.

The 71-year-old leader said in a television address that he was invoking "article 58 of the constitution" giving him special powers "because the independence of the country is threatened." Tandja had already run into opposition from the Constitutional Court in his attempt to hold a referendum on changing the constitution to enable him to run for a third five-year elected term in office after his mandate expires in December. Tandja, 71, first announced his referendum proposal in early May, but the opposition, the trade unions and non-governmental organisations all turned to the Constitutional Court, which on June 12 annulled the president's plan. The court's decisions are binding on the head of state, whose bid to stage the referendum has also led to street protests and strikes. Nevertheless, on Wednesday evening Tandja submitted a request to the court, asking it to retract its ruling on the grounds that it had gone beyond its competence.

NIGER - POLITICS