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Liberia: President Sirleaf launched her memoir
A memoir of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia has been launched. The book - "This Child Will Be Great" - chronicles the remarkable true life story of the only female president of Africa. - It details the rise of the 70-year-old leader, her childhood experience with abuse, life in prison, life in exile, her fight for democracy, and how she helped “fueled” her country’s civil war. It was launched in the Liberian capital Monrovia.
An excerpt of “This Child Will Be Great” which was read at the launching ceremony in Monrovia highlights prophesy that President Sirleaf would have been a great child and what the future holds, according to Liberia&…Nigeria: Famous actress jailed
A Nigerian court has sentenced a former beauty queen and popular actress Ibinabo Fiberesima to seven years imprisonment for manslaughter which she pleaded not guilty. She was alleged to have killed a medical doctor in a road accident last year after what investigators describe as "careless" driving under the influence of alcohol. - It was reported according to popular Nigeria online movie forum Naijarules.com that the actress was dragged to court by relatives of the decease due to her attitude to wards the issues.
She was earlier fined by a lower magistrate court to the sum of N100, 000 (about $1,000) which she has almost paid according to the report.
The presiding judge at …Nigerian airline starts operation in S. Leone
Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has commissioned two new flights from Arik airline. Arik airline is one of Nigeria's leading commercial airlines servicing 20 airports worldwide with over 100 flights a day having a work force of over 1,300. - The two new flights Boeing 737-700NG and Boeing 737-800 NG which has capacities of over two hundred sitters will be flying from Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown to London Heathrow and Freetown- Lagos and elsewhere in the West African region.
Speaking at the occasion, chairman of Arik airlines Sir Arumemi-Johnson said his company is here to ease the transport sector while adding that in the near future they will extend scholarship to…Nigeria dares US in corruption case
The Nigerian Federal Government has written a letter to the United States authorities to name the Nigerian individuals that were involved in the Halliburton bribery scandal in which a US national Albert Stanley is been sentenced to seven years imprisonment followed by a fine of $250,000. - According to This Day Newspaper Jackson, a former officer and Director of Kellog Brown & Root, Inc an engineering company based in Texas US late last year bribed some high profile Nigerian government officials to secure contract which is estimated to the tune of $ 6 US billion dollars. On his return, Stanley was arrested, charged and convicted for violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. This hi…French president visits Niger
The French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrived in Niamey, the capital of Niger on his third and final leg of his visit to Africa. - Niger has the world third largest uranium deposit, a mineral which is used to produced nuclear power but the tiny west African state still remains one of the poorest nations with over 70% of its population live below $1US a day.
According to the AFP news agency, a French nuclear energy company Areva has just signed millions of dollar contract with the Nigerian authorities to launch mining at the mammoth Imouraren deposit, north of the country, which will be the company’s largest uranium production site.
President Sarkozy arrived in Niamey from Congo on…Nigeria condemns new Madagascar regime
Nigeria has condemned the forceful removal of the former President of Madagascar Marc Ravalomanana. Ravalomanana was forced to step down by Andry Rajoelina, 34, a former disc jockey and then opposition leader who had the backing of the country's military. - Nigeria President Umaru Yar’Adua, who also doubles as the current Chairman of the regional ECOWAS body, said in a statement through his spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi that his administration will not recognize Rajoelina regime while calling on various stakeholders to “exercise restraint and embrace constructive dialogue to achieve a quick return to constitutionality and avoid a further descent into lawlessness, violence, diso…Nigeria: Opposition gang up against gov't
Nineteen political parties in the federal Republic of Nigeria have formed a coalition which they termed "one mega party" to challenge President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua in the next Presidential elections slated for 2011. - The group which has among others former heads of state including former President Muhammadu Buhari who led Nigeria in the 80’s and vice President Atiku Abubakar accused President Yar’Adua of acting as if the country is a one party state.
The mega party according to the BBC said that their intention is to “save” Nigeria from its present state. They stated that the ruling PDP has dominated the Nigeria political scene since the country dec…Obama permits 3,600 Liberians to stay
US President Barack Obama has signed an executive order under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allowing some 3600 Liberians to stay for another year in the US. - The US TPS program was established in 1990 to allow foreign nationals of countries at war to stay in the US without any fear or favour. Under the TPS programs those registered are allowed to work and required to pay taxes but do not qualify for benefits such as welfare and food.
According to the US State Department, Liberians resident in the US have enjoyed their stay during the war era in their country throughout the 90’s. At one instance the former President Bill Clinton and George Bush (Snr.) had to defer deportation…Rwanda signs agreement with UN court
The Special Court For Sierra Leone trying those person's that is believed to bear the greatest responsibility in that country's eleven years barbaric and brutal civil conflict has signed an agreement between the government of Rwanda and the SCSL for 'convicts' to serve their sentences in Rwanda. - It could be recalled that Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma recently appealed to the SCSL to find ways that would be ‘’convicts’’ will serve their sentences outside Sierra Leone.
Peter Anderson head of Public Affairs and Outreach confirmed to AfricaNews via SMS on Friday that ‘’effort to secure enforcement agreement has been…Amnesty charge Gambian authorities
Amnesty International (AI), a human right group, has called on the Gambian government to immediately put an end to the recent abduction of some one thousand Gambian nationals accused of witchcraft. Some one thousand Gambians have been arrested by authorities in that country for witchcraft. - It was reported following the death of the Gambia President’s aunt that some witch doctors who are believed to possess supernatural powers were invited by the orders of the Gambian President from neighboring Guinea to look into the death surrounding his late aunt as according to the president, it is believed that his aunt died an ‘’unnatural’’ death due to witchcraft.
Aft…US embassy condemns unrest in Sierra Leone
The US embassy in Sierra Leone has condemned the recent clashes between the ruling All People's Congress (APC) and the opposition Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) in the capital Freetown which leaves many injured, raped and the official vehicle of the SLPP Secretary General, Joseph J. Saffa, burnt down. - Last weekend attacks between opposing parties started during a celebration to officially opened the newly refurbished clock tower in the ‘’heart’’ of Freetown. According to report the head of the Freetown municipality (mayor) Herbert J. Williams with thousands of APC supporters rein abuses and threatening to storm the SLPP headquarter but met stiff resist…Global economic crisis pose threat to Africa
African leaders who have just ended a meeting with the UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown ahead of the G20 Summit have warned that the Global economic crisis still pose threat to the security in their continent. - Eleven African nations were represented in the two days summit including Africa’s only female President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, heads of central Banks and Finance ministers.
Brown who will be hosting the G20 summit next month said the meeting between him and African heads of state is to explore ways to prevent the fight against world poverty.
According to the UK department for International Development (DFID) over 90 million of the world’s population could b…Nigeria: 3,000 militants surrender
Over 3,000 militants from Okehi, Kogi State in southern Nigeria have surrendered themselves for training, reformation and reintegration into society as a means of ending their criminal activities. Over 10, 000 unemployed youth have gained global notoriety by disrupting oil supplies there. - The main militant group in that region - the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) - said they are fighting for a fair share of the country’s oil wealth. Until recently the group has specialized in hostage taking and demanding of ransom.
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi while commending the militants for submitting themselves however warned that anyone who had taken life must accou…Nigeria to criminalize gay marriage
A new ill has been tabled in the Nigerian Parliament to prohibit same sex marriage. The bill if passed into law will mean three years jail term for anyone who has entered in a same gender marriage contract and five years jail term for any one who "aid and abet" such marriages. - Despite the decision by religious leader whom spoke in favour of the bill, gay right activist has warned the Nigerian Government that if this bill is passed into law the country will witness widespread human right abuses.
Rashidi Williams, a 23 years gay rights activist said "this bill is not necessary, we see no reason why people should be criminalized, I did not choose to be gay. It is trial enoug…Mauritania: Ghaddafi arrives, meet Muslims
The Libyan Leader and head of the African Union, Ghaddafi, arrived in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott earlier Monday. He led mass prayers with Muslims' worshippers to mark the Birthday of the holy Prophet Mohammad. - Libyan media reported that the aim of Ghaddafi’s visit is to talk to all parties to find lasting solutions to the political crisis in the country.
The AU chair earlier this year dispatched an envoy to Mauritania to talk to opposing sides. Ghaddafi also held discussions earlier with the Head of the Mauritanian Junta chief Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and the country’s ousted President Sidi Mohamed Ould Cheikh Abdallahi in Libya.
It could be recalled that form…Mauritania walks Israel out
The Israeli authorities have complied with a 48-hour ultimatum to close down its embassy in Mauritania on the orders of the government. - This development came just days after the Libyan leader who also doubles as the current African Union head is due for Mauritania. Mauritania has been one of the few member states of the Arab league to maintain relation with Israel until recently.
After the Gaza attack late last year the Arab League urged all its members during a meeting to severe ties with Israel and Ghaddaffi has since been mounting pressure on Mauritania to discontinue all its relationship with Israel, BBC news reported.
The Mauritanian ambassador to Israel returned on January thi…S Leone: Special Court hails Bashir indictment
The Special Court for Sierra Leone has welcomed the indictment of the Sudanese leader by the International Criminal Court. The Special Court is also trying the first former African President Liberia Charles Taylor who is alleged of committing war crimes and other related crimes in Sierra Leone. - Herman Von Hebel Registrar for the Special Court told AfricaNews in an exclusive interview at the court facilities in Freetown on Thursday that “we welcome the effort undertaken by the ICC to ensure that impunity is been fought in the continent effectively with all possible means on the continent.”
Hebel added that the effort by the ICC in relation to the arrest warrant of Bashir and…Liberia co-hosts major women conference
About thousand women leaders across the world are scheduled to attend a major international women's conference in both Liberia and Finland. The Colloquium on Women's Empowerment, Leadership, International Peace and Security starts from March 7th to 8th. - It would be hosted by Africa’s only female President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and President Tarja Halonen of Finland.
According to the organizers, the round table discussions is expected to assume women’s leadership role and empowering women in confronting global issues such as climate change among others
The Colloquium which coincides with this year’s International Women’s Day will be hosted …G Bissau: Assassination condemned
World Leaders and Governing bodies have quickly condemn the killing of the leader of Guinea Bissau President Joao Bernardo Vieira few hours after his army chief was similarly murdered in the capital Bissau. - The head of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas described the situation as an “assassination of democracy.” “We want to consolidate democracy, peace and security in this region (West Africa). The death of a president, of a chief of staff, is very grave news,” Dr. Chambas said according to France 24 website.
Dr. Chambas added that it’s not only the assassination of a president or a chief of staff; it's the as…Nigeria: Opposition grills president
The Action Congress (AC) of Nigeria, a political party has urged President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to explain to the people of Nigeria how he spent his two weeks leave of office, what books he reads and places he traveled to during his absence. - In a statement released to the media according to the Nigerian Daily Trust Newspaper, the AC said the president’s explanation might be important to his people because he was not seen in places he was expected to be during his vacation.
"There has been no report of the President being sighted at Obudu or Dodan Barracks during the vacation. So, where was the President during this time off?" Alhaji Lai Mohammed of AC quarried.
Th…Burkina Faso: Nigerian movies to be screened
Five Nigerian movies have been short listed to be screened at this year's Pan African Film and Television Festival (FESPACO) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. FESPACO is the region's most prestigious film festival which is held annually in recognition of those films that have certified certain laid down criteria. - This year’s FESPACO film festival is slated for March 7th and it is expected to screen five Nigerian movies among them Changing Faces, Trapped Dream, Oluronbi and Life in a Slow Motion by Tunde Kelani.
According to FESPACO the five Nigerian movies have been certified to have met international standard and therefore will be screened in the African video format catego…
