ALGERIA AND MALI IN JOINT OPERATION AGAINST AL-QAEDA

Algeria has begun sending military equipment to Mali in preparation for a joint operation against Islamic militants linked to al-Qaeda. The aid includes fuel, weapons and sleeping bags, according to reports in the Algerian media. The operation could involve neighbouring countries Niger and Mauritania, say the reports.

Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure has called for regional co-operation to deal with al-Qaeda linked groups. The move follows a recent visit to Algeria by Mali’s defence minister, during which he had talks with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Two independent newspapers have reported that the operation could start within the next month or two and last for six months. Islamist groups have been using the Sahara in northern Mali as a base for attacks in Algeria and for keeping Western hostages.

A group called al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has threatened to kill a British hostage, believed to be held somewhere in the Sahara region, on 15 May unless the UK frees a detained Jordanian Islamist. The group has been waging a campaign of bombings and shootings, primarily along Algeria’s Mediterranean coast.

SOURCED FROM BBC

EXPIRED COCA COLA DRINKS SELLING IN NIGERIA

The day was Thursday the 30^th of April, location; Oregun, Lagos. An opened bottle of diet coke lay before my desk. I’d always being a fan of coke products- their catchy ads and mantra were as popular as Christmas carols. But there was something wrong with this particular beverage- a swig from the bottle was enough to arrive at a conclusion. The best before date on the bottle’s cap answered my doubts. The drink or rather the poison before me was more than a month old.

On the double ConnectAfrica correspondents made a dash to the shop where the drink was bought. A rather naïve sales attendant apologetically collected the drink from the correspondent. Her offer to replace the drink only unearthed more rot. Stacked in a corner of the room were cartons of expired diet coke. In alarm, she opened the refrigerator and more expired diet cokes smiled at us. Off course all the bottles bore the obnoxious date-03/03/2009. We snapped some pictures; for the media and NAFDAC-Nigeria’s food and drugs regulatory body.

A visit to the shop an hour later and the Augean stable had been cleaned spick and span. Our second coming however was for a different purpose. ‘When did Coca Cola supply these drinks?’ we asked her. ‘On the 18^th of  April’ the rather alarmed salesgirl  hurriedly produced a supply card supporting her claim.

Next bus stop was to get Coca Cola’s side to this story. But like most close end cases; mum was the word from the beverage giant. An arrogant public relations culture entrenched in the annals of corporate Nigeria is gradually and quickly becoming a fad-keep quiet and the story will run out is the default line of defence. It isn’t that NAFDAC has gone to bed since its blunt and vivacious boss ascended to the illustrious federal cabinet; the truth is Dora Akunyili was so effective in dealing with the drug-rot, she personified NAFDAC. I guess that explains why the agency’s unattractive and outdate website still refers to Dora as its DG and its most current news is 2 years old!! Ironically NAFDAC airs a public awareness drama were several children are poisoned when a mendacious importer decides to re-edit the dates of the noxious substance for profit. Several children are hospitalized and NAFDAC-the saviour mankind saves the masses at the end of the day

However existing laws should make errant companies like Coca Cola face the music squarely. Because unlike the drama where we all have a second chance to analyse, make corrections and poke fun here and there, this is reality, this is happening now. Coke addicts would love to be reminded that the coke side of life is fun and health rather than denial and death.

Emma, CONNECTAFRICA

MADAGASCAR’S DEPOSED LEADER DENIES SEEKING ASYLUM

Madagascar’s deposed leader Marc Ravalomanana has denied rumours he is seeking political asylum abroad and condemned violations of human rights under the new government. Many fear his possible return to the crisis-wracked Indian Ocean island would trigger more of the political violence that battered the country’s $390 million-a-year tourism sector and worried foreign investors earlier this year.

Ravalomanana, who surrendered power in March under pressure from the army and fled to southern Africa, insists he remains the legitimate leader of the Indian Ocean island and has rejected sharing power with new president Andry Rajoelina. “(Ravalomanana) denied reports that the president is applying for asylum in South Africa as has been incorrectly reported in Madagascar and elsewhere,” said the written statement released late on Tuesday.

Relative calm has returned to the streets of the volatile capital Antananarivo though tensions remain high after a spate of political arrests and a violent crackdown on anti-government demonstrators. Ravalomanana called the protracted political crisis a fight for citizens’ rights, a struggle he said he was prepared to lead.

However observers, who say the self-made millionaire lacks popular and military support, suggest his return is improbable while there remains an arrest warrant for him. “Ravalomanana won’t be back soon. His backing is mostly among the middle class and he is not popular with the poor who are the majority. The memories of his errors are too fresh,” said Lydie Boka of the risk consultancy group StrategieCo.

SOURCED FROM REUTERS

DETAINED ZIMBABWE’S ACTIVIST TO BE FREED WEDNESDAY: LAWYER

Eighteen Zimbabwean opposition activists detained in jail and facing terrorism charges will be released on bail on Wednesday, a defence lawyer said.

“The attorney-general has consented to bail, so we are going to court… to have the agreement effected by the magistrate,” defence lawyer Harrison Nkomo told Reuters. The activists were ordered back to jail on Tuesday, drawing condemnation from Western countries and human rights groups.

SOURCED FROM REUTERS

CONGO’S REBEL LEADER LAURENT NKUNDA MAY FACE TRIAL IN A NEUTRAL COUNTRY

Congo’s warlord Laurent Nkunda may be transferred from Rwanda to a third neutral country while the two African nations resolve outstanding legal issues regarding his fate, officials in the great lakes nations said. The Democratic Republic of Congo wants Nkunda extradited for crimes committed during a brutal five-year rebellion in its east, during which he captured swathes of territory and threatened the regional capital Goma.

But, Rwanda say their national laws prevent them from handing over someone to a country where they may be sentenced to death, according to a joint statement by the two countries. “We have to look at these legal impediments before we come up with a sellable outcome that satisfies both countries” Rwandan Justice Minister Tharcisse Karugarama told Reuters late on Tuesday.

“Being Congolese, the Congolese law applies to him and being on Rwandan soil, the Rwandan law applies,” the joint statement said. Last month, Nkunda’s lawyer filed an unsuccessful law suit in Rwanda seeking the rebel’s release saying he was being held illegally.

Tiny Rwanda has fought two wars with is much larger neighbour saying it wants to root out Congo- based rebels. The conflict is thought to have killed 5.4 million people between 1998 and 2003 and triggered a humanitarian disaster that still simmers today.

SOURCED FROM REUTERS

AFRICAN LEADERS TO BE TRIED BY FRENCH MAGISTRATE

A French magistrate has opened a preliminary investigation into alleged embezzlement by three African leaders. Presidents Omar Bongo of Gabon, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Republic of Congo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea deny any wrongdoing. The investigation follows lawsuits by the French branch of an anti-corruption group, Transparency International. It has accused the three leaders of buying luxury homes and cars in France with money from African public funds.

William Bourdon, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, told Reuters news agency: “This is an unprecedented decision because it’s the first time a judicial inquiry has been opened concerning suspected embezzlement by sitting presidents.”

Correspondents say the case could strain French relations with the three oil-producing countries. Gabon and Republic of Congo are former French colonies, while Equatorial Guinea is a growing oil exporter. The Paris prosecutors’ office, which answers to the justice ministry, opposed the opening of the case on 20 April but investigating Magistrate Francoise Desset has allowed it to proceed.

A 2007 French police investigation found the leaders of the three countries and their relatives owned homes in upmarket areas of Paris and on the Riviera along with luxury cars, including Bugattis, Ferraris and Maseratis. Mr Bongo came to power in Gabon in 1967 and is Africa’s longest-serving ruler. Mr Obiang has faced coup attempts since he seized power in oil-rich Equatorial Guinea in a coup three decades ago. Mr Sassou-Nguesso took power in Republic of Congo for a second time in 1997 with help from Angolan troops.

SOURCED FROM BBC

S. AFRICAN PALIAMENT TO NAME ZUMA PRESIDENT

South Africa’s parliament is set to choose Jacob Zuma as state president on Wednesday after his ruling ANC’s resounding election victory, capping his remarkable political comeback. After an eight-year battle with corruption charges that threatened to ruin him, Zuma takes on an economy that may already be in its first recession in 17 years, and challenges such as widespread poverty, crime and AIDS.

The new government is expected to leave conservative and fiscal policies in place in Africa’s biggest economy to cushion the impact of the global credit crunch and reassure investors who fear Zuma may steer the economy to the left. The charismatic former freedom fighter, whose graft charges were dropped just before the April 22 poll, will be inaugurated on Saturday and is expected to name a cabinet soon after.

Zuma has denied any wrongdoing and said he is the victim of a political conspiracy. The fate of Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, widely respected by financial markets, will be closely watched by investors hoping for continuity.

Zuma, who headed the ANC’s intelligence department during the fight against apartheid, survived a bruising power struggle with former state President Thabo Mbeki that split the ANC and led to the creation of a breakaway party.

SOURCED FROM REUTERS

NIGERIAN’S RULING PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) WINS ELECTION RE-RUN

Nigeria’s governing People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has narrowly won a hotly-disputed re-run poll for the post of governor in south-western Ekiti state. Turnout was said to be low, amid tight security. An earlier re-run of the vote last week crumbled amid claims of fraud, violence and intimidation.

Our correspondent says the result is likely to be challenged as the state is seen as an opposition stronghold. The original poll two years ago was won by the candidate of the governing PDP. But Segun Oni was thrown out of office and the result was overturned amid allegations of mass vote fraud.

The BBC’s Caroline Duffield, in the region, says the latest outcome means he will now return to office. Heavily-armed police and soldiers were out in force in the state capital of Oye Ekiti, where Tuesday’s vote took place.

SOURCED FROM BBC