| URL: http://www.engineeringnews.co.za | |
| Policy, Law, Economics and Politics - Deepening Democracy through Access to Information | This privately-owned website is operated and maintained by Creamer Media |
 |
 |
|
Polity
Article by: Amy Witherden Published: 19 Jan 2009
|
|
| Daily podcast - January 19, 2009 | |
| Monday, January 19, 2009 From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I'm Amy Witherden. Making headlines: Gauteng premier Paul Mashatile stated on Saturday that African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma remains the party's candidate for President. This is despite the decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal to reinstate the charges against him. Mashatile said that the party will not be distracted by the SCA decision and will continue with its support of Zuma. Mashatile, also the Gauteng ANC chairperson, added that all nominees for the party's list would be required to serve the people and advance the objectives of the ANC without seeking material or personal gain. He added that nominees need to place their energies and skills at the disposal of the ANC. In African news, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe says that the country's opposition Movement for Democratic Change should accept the power-sharing deal signed last September, or end talks over the implementation of the agreement. Mugabe explained that his party is at the make-or-break stage of negotiations. He said that if the MDC should have any issues they deem outstanding, they can be raised after joining the inclusive government. Mugabe says that the Zanu-PF has made all the concessions it is willing to make in the talks, and is now ready to form the inclusive government as required by the September agreement. Meanwhile, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai says that his party will not be "bulldozed into an agreement that does not reflect the will of the people". In other news, the African Development Bank says that rich nations must live up to their commitments to boost development in poor countries, and guard against protectionism in dealing with the global financial crisis. AfDB president Donald Kaberuka explained that the continent expects the developed world, where the current financial crisis originated, to do everything it can to stimulate world growth. This does not mean, however, that the developed world should renege on its commitments to poor countries. Capital flows into Africa are drying up, while tight credit markets, and high lending rates, have put development projects at risk. Kaberuka says that for Africa this is a development crisis. The AfDB is therefore working to see that this broader context is fully understood. Also making headlines: The United Nations provides $5-million for Zimbabwean health workers. In Congo, government and diplomats are optimistic about a peace deal. And, in Zimbabwe, regional leaders today resume power-sharing talks in a push to end the crisis. That's a roundup of news making headlines today. For more on these and other stories, visit polity.org.za. |
|