SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG - A report by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation finds that South Africans are losing confidence in the country’s leaders and institutions. The findings emerge from an audit among 3500 people conducted by the institute. The study shows that South Africa is at a critical point in its political history and reveals that a systematic failure in service delivery, and the fallout in the African National Congress leadership following the Polokwane National Conference are causing growing unease.
CAPE TOWN - Eskom CE Jacob Maroga briefs a routine Cabinet meeting on the state of power supply in South Africa, stating that the impact of load shedding on the economy, citizens and the country's image is regretted. Cabinet is to discuss the country's electricity supply crisis at its lekgotla. Nationwide load shedding has left parts of the country in the dark for extended periods over the past two weeks and is tipped to become worse if the public and business do not pull together in an effort to save electricity.
AFRICA
HARARE - A Zimbabwe court upholds a police ban on an opposition demonstration to press President Robert Mugabe to adopt a new constitution ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for March. The court ruled that the Movement for Democratic Change could hold a rally in a stadium, after police had said street protests could turn violent. Zimbabweans have tended to shy away from demonstrations in recent years, mainly from fear of a heavy handed response by security forces.
NAIROBI - Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan begins holding talks with Kenya's feuding parties in an effort to find a rapid solution to weeks of political crisis. The 69-year-old African statesperson faces a tough challenge resolving a bitter standoff between Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition challenger Raila Odinga over a disputed poll that plunged Kenya into chaos and ethnic bloodshed. Clashes between Kibaki and Odinga supporters, ethnic unrest and a brutal crackdown by the security forces have killed at least 650 people over the past month.
KHARTOUM - Sudan appoints Musa Hilal, a man the US accuses of coordinating Darfur's marauding militias, to a central government position, a move condemned by international human rights campaigners. The US claims that Hilal is the coordinator of the Janjaweed militias accused of war crimes in Darfur. Hilal denies the atrocities and says that he mobilised his tribespeople to defend their lands after a government call to "popular defence".
MAPUTO - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) begins supplying aid to tens of thousands of Mozambicans hit by floods that have swept through Southern Africa. Officials say the floods have killed 14 people so far and an estimated $43-million is required for rescue operations, humanitarian services, fuel and other costs. The WFP has started delivering mosquito nets, tents and plastic sheeting to affected areas along the Zambezi valley in central Mozambique and plans to send 74 t of food by helicopter.
WORLD
DAVOS - Jacob Zuma leaves to attend the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Zuma, who was invited in his capacity as the president of the African National Congress, will not be speaking officially at the meeting, but will support the call for elevation of the voice of poor countries, particularly those from Africa. A South African government delegation to the forum includes Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa and Finance Minister Trevor Manuel. Unlike previous years, South African President Thabo Mbeki will not attend the global business summit.
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf pledges to hold free elections at the beginning of a European trip aimed at bolstering outside support, but urges the West not to hold Pakistan to unrealistic rights standards. Musharraf's popularity has slumped in Pakistan, racked by militant attacks and facing a parliamentary election on February 18, 2008, meant to complete a transition to civilian rule. Responding to concerns over human rights and democracy in Pakistan, Musharraf said he believed in both but termed Western preoccupation with the issues "obsessive".
JOHANNESBURG - A report by the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation finds that South Africans are losing confidence in the country’s leaders and institutions. The findings emerge from an audit among 3500 people conducted by the institute. The study shows that South Africa is at a critical point in its political history and reveals that a systematic failure in service delivery, and the fallout in the African National Congress leadership following the Polokwane National Conference are causing growing unease.
CAPE TOWN - Eskom CE Jacob Maroga briefs a routine Cabinet meeting on the state of power supply in South Africa, stating that the impact of load shedding on the economy, citizens and the country's image is regretted. Cabinet is to discuss the country's electricity supply crisis at its lekgotla. Nationwide load shedding has left parts of the country in the dark for extended periods over the past two weeks and is tipped to become worse if the public and business do not pull together in an effort to save electricity.
AFRICA
HARARE - A Zimbabwe court upholds a police ban on an opposition demonstration to press President Robert Mugabe to adopt a new constitution ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for March. The court ruled that the Movement for Democratic Change could hold a rally in a stadium, after police had said street protests could turn violent. Zimbabweans have tended to shy away from demonstrations in recent years, mainly from fear of a heavy handed response by security forces.
NAIROBI - Former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan begins holding talks with Kenya's feuding parties in an effort to find a rapid solution to weeks of political crisis. The 69-year-old African statesperson faces a tough challenge resolving a bitter standoff between Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition challenger Raila Odinga over a disputed poll that plunged Kenya into chaos and ethnic bloodshed. Clashes between Kibaki and Odinga supporters, ethnic unrest and a brutal crackdown by the security forces have killed at least 650 people over the past month.
KHARTOUM - Sudan appoints Musa Hilal, a man the US accuses of coordinating Darfur's marauding militias, to a central government position, a move condemned by international human rights campaigners. The US claims that Hilal is the coordinator of the Janjaweed militias accused of war crimes in Darfur. Hilal denies the atrocities and says that he mobilised his tribespeople to defend their lands after a government call to "popular defence".
MAPUTO - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) begins supplying aid to tens of thousands of Mozambicans hit by floods that have swept through Southern Africa. Officials say the floods have killed 14 people so far and an estimated $43-million is required for rescue operations, humanitarian services, fuel and other costs. The WFP has started delivering mosquito nets, tents and plastic sheeting to affected areas along the Zambezi valley in central Mozambique and plans to send 74 t of food by helicopter.
WORLD
DAVOS - Jacob Zuma leaves to attend the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Zuma, who was invited in his capacity as the president of the African National Congress, will not be speaking officially at the meeting, but will support the call for elevation of the voice of poor countries, particularly those from Africa. A South African government delegation to the forum includes Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa and Finance Minister Trevor Manuel. Unlike previous years, South African President Thabo Mbeki will not attend the global business summit.
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf pledges to hold free elections at the beginning of a European trip aimed at bolstering outside support, but urges the West not to hold Pakistan to unrealistic rights standards. Musharraf's popularity has slumped in Pakistan, racked by militant attacks and facing a parliamentary election on February 18, 2008, meant to complete a transition to civilian rule. Responding to concerns over human rights and democracy in Pakistan, Musharraf said he believed in both but termed Western preoccupation with the issues "obsessive".
Advertisement
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
