ANC SUPPORTERS PROTEST AGAINST SA OPPOSTION LEADER, HELEN ZILLE

Hundreds of supporters of South African President Jacob Zuma have protested in Cape Town against criticisms of him by official opposition leader Helen Zille.

The demonstrators said they would no longer tolerate the Western Cape premier’s “anti-African behaviour”.

The organisers – veterans of the former military wing of the governing African National Congress (ANC) – accused Ms Zille of calling Mr Zuma a womaniser.

The Democratic Alliance leader caused uproar with her recent remarks.

The BBC’s Mohammed Allie in Cape Town says almost 300 protesters turned up for the demonstration.

“ Should Zille not immediately cease her racist tendencies.. the association will not hesitate to implement a militant programme of action ”
Veteran Kebby Maphatsoe

He says there was a militant mood as they gathered at the provincial parliament, warning they had the power to make the province “ungovernable”.

Clad in army fatigues and singing protest songs, they demanded that Ms Zille apologise for her recent statement that Mr Zuma had put his wives at risk of contracting HIV.

Our reporter says they also want Ms Zille to change her all-male provincial cabinet, which has been called racist although it contains a black person and three people from the mixed-race coloured group.

Kebby Maphatsoe, chairman of the Military Veterans Association, had an ominous warning for the Democratic Alliance.

“Should Zille not immediately cease her racist tendencies that bring pain to all military veterans of South Africa… the association will not hesitate to implement a militant programme of action to take back the streets and our communities,” he said.

Ms Zille was not at her office to accept the memorandum as she is part of a national three-day meeting of cabinet ministers and provincial premiers chaired by President Zuma.

She told the state broadcaster on Tuesday that she did not have any problem with Mr Zuma.

“President Zuma and I are political opponents but we are not enemies,” she said.

“Just yesterday President Zuma and I had a long and relaxed and cordial and professional telephone conversation.

“So that’s how it works in a democracy. Sometimes you go head on but that doesn’t take away from the professional, cordial relationship you have.”

Self-proclaimed polygamist Mr Zuma was acquitted of rape in 2006 when he admitted having unprotected sex with his accuser, an HIV-positive family friend.

SOURCED FROM BBC

ALGERIAN MILITANTS KILL 9 SOLDIERS

Islamist militants in Algeria ambushed and shot dead nine soldiers, newspapers reported on Wednesday.

Seven soldiers were also wounded in the attack by at least 30 militants in Biskra province, some 550 km (342 miles) east of the capital Algiers, the El Khabar, Echorouk and El Watan newspapers said.

One rebel was killed, the newspapers said, quoting local sources. No confirmation of the attack was immediately available and there was no claim of responsibility.

A week ago, five paramilitary police were killed in an ambush in the province of Medea, 100 km east of Algiers.

Al Qaeda’s North African wing, known as al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, has been behind a series of bomb attacks and ambushes in the North African country, which is emerging from a civil conflict that broke out in the 1990s.

In the past few years, the group’s ability to carry out major attacks has been weakened by the death or capture of leading militants and government amnesties.

SOURCED FROM REUTERS

RAJOELINA DENIES RAVALOMANANA ENTRY TO MADAGASCAR

Madagascar’s new president on Wednesday refused to allow ousted leader Marc Ravalomanana to return from exile, potentially derailing talks to end the island’s political crisis.

Andry Rajoelina issued his edict a day after Ravalomanana accused him of being in league with former colonial power France to enslave the Malagasy population.

Cross-party political talks, closely watched by foreign powers and investors in the Indian Ocean island’s mineral and hydrocarbon sectors, are set to resume later on Wednesday.

SOURCED FROM REUTERS

Allies of Ravalomanana — who is in exile in South Africa — said they would boycott further negotiations if discussions did not begin paving the way for his return.

“The High Transitional Authority blocks the return of the former president, Marc Ravalomanana, to the country,” Rajoelina told reporters at the opening day of separate talks intended to heal deep divisions within the army.

“We will not sign any agreement allowing for his return.”

Ravalomanana accused France late on Tuesday of supporting Madagascar’s coup leaders, whom he described as bandits.

Ravalomanana’s allies have suggested French involvement in Rajoelina’s rise to power since the outset of the crisis, but this is the first time Ravalomanana has pointed a finger

SOMALI WOUNDED FLOOD HOSPITALS, RADICAL LEADER TAKES OVER ISLAMIST GROUP

Doctors at one of the main hospitals in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, say they have been swamped with patients injured in an upsurge of fighting.

Medics say some of the casualties are being admitted with horrific injuries.

At Medina Hospital, tents have been set up in the corridors and mattresses laid under trees outside for the victims.

It comes as a radical cleric on the US terror list, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, formally became leader of the Somali Islamist rebel group Hisbul-Islam.

The militia, and an allied hardline group, al-Shabab, have been locked in fierce battles with pro-government forces that have displaced more than 60,000 civilians since 7 May.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which funds and runs two of Mogadishu’s three hospitals, Medina and Keysaney, told the BBC more than 650 patients have sought treatment since the clashes began and that many more were trapped in conflict zones.

“ We are very stretched but at the moment no-one is being turned away ”
ICRC’s Pedram Yazdiof

It said a number of patients had bullet and shrapnel wounds as well as blast injuries from shells landing on their homes.

“We are very stretched but at the moment no-one is being turned away and we can cope with the pressure,” said Pedram Yazdiof, of the ICRC in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

He said fighting in the southern Medina district of the city over the past two days had made it difficult for some staff to get to the hospital.

The BBC’s Mohamed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says the capital was relatively quiet on Wednesday after two weeks of almost continual fighting.

Meanwhile, the outgoing head of rebel group Hisbul-Islam, Omar Abubakar, said he had not come under any pressure to hand over the leadership to Mr Aweys.

SOURCED FROM BBC

NIGER’S FRAIL POLITICS WORRIES INVESTORS

Niger’s decision to dissolve parliament has worried investors already closely watching a debate over whether the president can extend his rule of the uranium exporter, businessmen and politicians said on Wednesday.

President Mamadou Tandja, who is due to step down after completing two terms in power later this year, dissolved parliament on Tuesday, a day after Niger’s constitutional court declared his bid for a referendum on staying in power unlawful.

That bid has divided the government and sparked demonstrations, fuelling political instability in a nation that has attracted investors such as France’s Areva as it seeks to become one of the world’s top exporters of uranium.

“It is clear that in this context, investors are hesitating over or delaying their projects,” said Abdoulkarim Aksar, the local manager of London-listed Niger Uranium, which has exploration licenses in the Tim Mersoi Basin in Niger’s north.

“One way or another, the situation is worrying,” he added.

As the cost of oil and fears over global warming have rekindled interest in nuclear energy, Niger has handed out over 130 prospecting licenses, most of which have been for uranium.

But just 10 percent of these are currently active as the political uncertainty comes on top of a two-year revolt led by Tuareg nomads calling for greater autonomy for the north, and a larger slice of the revenues from natural resources.

Niger was due to hold presidential and parliamentary polls at the end of the year but, according to the constitution, a new parliament must now be elected within three months

SOURCED FROM REUTERS

NIGER DELTA MILANT SEIZED AFTER WOMEN GIVE HIM UP

A key militant leader in Nigeria’s oil-producing Baylesa State has been arrested after women in the area he was using as a hideout demanded the police deal with an influx of oil rebels to the area.

Ken Nweigha, known as “Daddy Ken”, was detained after a roadblock shootout near Odi town.

It is unusual for people to stand up to militants as they are often well-connected and pay Delta communities to keep quiet.

But residents said they feared a repeat of an army operation 10 years ago, which devastated the town.

Militants have been fleeing military action in neighbouring Delta State.

Mr Nweigha, the head of an armed group based in Bayelsa State, was said to have been harbouring them.

The 500 women in Odi called on the commissioner of police, visiting the area at the time, to do something to prevent the military coming back to the town.

It was after this that Mr Nweigha drove his car into a roadblock, local media reported.

He tried to escape, but the police opened fire, killing another man in the car.

The women were worried the militants presence would bring soldiers to the town, still living in the shadow of a military attack in 1999.

US-based rights body Human Rights Watch reported 50 people were killed in that attack, which was provoked by the murder of 11 soldiers, allegedly by militants led by Daddy Ken.

Other local accounts put the number of dead at much higher.

A military operation is currently under way in the swamps of neighbouring Delta State.

SOURCED FROM BBC

AFRICAN DAY

Africa day which is celebrated on the 25^th of May yearly was marked at Tshwane South Africa with a symposium

The 46 year old year event is designed to consolidate Africans, look into her challenges and her contribution to globalization.

Dignitaries from all around the continent graced the occasion and music which is said to be the food of the soul was not left out.

The mayor of the city of Tshwane ; which incidentally is the most industrialized city in South Africa said this year’s celebration is on heritage, culture and education. The city has a population of 2.2 million people.

She added that the city has benefited from the contributions made by several academic institutions.

The mayor said the role of cities in Africa should include focusing on education and culture as this will help provide more jobs for the people of Africa and gradually put an end to Africans in Diaspora and also improve the lives of ordinary people.

This was also the point Sipho Sepee a Political Analyst made some days ago. He said that Africans have not promoted education and hence the cause of the many ailments in Africa.

Finally, she congratulated South Africans on its 15 years of democracy and the just concluded Presidential elections. She thanked the people for coming out in their millions to vote.

Professor Francis of the Nwonwu African Institute said 70 % of Africans live below the poverty line and yet Africans prefer to import foreign products. He advised Africans to look inward and exploit the resources they have.

He made mention of the Oil in Nigeria and Angola, Timber in Central Africa, DRC and Congo etc. “We have failed to add value to these resources in Africa rather we allow them to be imported. If he had done this, more job opportunities would have been created’’ the professor said

Furthermore he said we should think African but act globally. “We need a new type of colonization not as in the past where the  focus was on building mansions and other physical structure rather the de-colonization of the mind where we see things differently and act accordingly especially in the area of development”.

The minister of arts and culture H.E Lulu Xingwara said The New Partnership for African’s Development (NEPAD) should come up with a key role in which we can develop and maintain a sustainable education.

He said it’s time for our scientists and researchers to look into the challenging areas of health issues like HIV/AIDS and malaria which is growing at an increasing rate in Africa and also develop those areas that can create jobs for the people in our continent.

Edem Abudra, the acting director of UNESCO, originally from Togo said Africans contribution to the World and mankind should not be taken for granted. A book should be written on it and this book should be made available not only to African youths, but to youths the world over.

Benny, CONNECTAFRICA

RED LETTER DAY; MANCHESTER UNITED VS BARCELONA

Americans call it soccer, but it’s generally known as Football, the most popular sport in the world is fast becoming a symbol of unity in Africa including Nigeria the most populous black nation in the world. The young and old, poor and rich are not left out in this display of love and commitment for the beautiful game which is continually reflected in the record viewership of championships such as the African cup of Nations and the World cup respectively. But the recent shift in paradigm is the soaring popularity of championships such as the English premier league, La Liga and off course the UEFA champion’s league. The growth of the game in Africa is reflected in the large number of African footballers plying their trade in Europe. Last year’s champion’s league final between Manchester United and Chelsea had at least 4 Africans trading tackles. In the semi finals of this year’s edition nearly a dozen Africans were spread among the four European giants; Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal, a remarkable phenomenon when you realize that the number of Africans who had graced the finals of the prestigious event could be counted on your fingertips.

This year’s UEFA champion’s league has been one to behold, with a total number of 36 teams competing and 2 finalist, English champion Manchester United and Spanish giant Barcelona will play for the prestigious title. The atmosphere is intense; fever pitched.  Rome the match’s venue is jam-packed with expectant fans of both teams. A record, 150 million viewers will be hooked up to this year’s spectacle. The fans have contributed greatly to this year’s duel; donning jerseys, scarves, hand bands of their favourite teams anything to show their support and loyalty. Many travelled from countries all around Italy, the America’s and Asia, several without match entry tickets. Even the global economic meltdown is expected to help stimulate match profits by nearly 50 million dollars

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub is not left out of this football craze. Last year’s final, there were blue and red carnivals all around major streets in Lagos in the build-up to the game. It’s only hours to kick-off to the big show down this year, and walking through streets and major motor parks, it’s all apparent that there’s been no lull. Club Souvenir vendors are making brisk business, selling off anything to showcase either Barca or Man U. Coincidentally both teams wear the predominant red colour so it’s a red letter day, and everyone’s being caught in the bug. Ahmed a commercial motorcyclist thinks Manchester United will win because of Barcelona’s legendary defensive frailties. “Carlos Puyol cannot stop the likes of Wayne Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez” he argued, exclaiming that Manchester United is the champion of champions.

Manchester United fans by far outnumber the Spanish giants’ because the English Premier league is the default Nigerian league. All over Lagos, Man united fans wore their colours proudly. “It is a one sided game, Manchester United will surely win, because their players are more experienced than Barcelona players, the difference is clear! English league remains the best in the world and Man United is the champion of the English premier league” Baba Oje another United enthusiast boasted

Finally a Barca fan surfaces, Prince prefers being the bookie, predicting a 2-1 victory in favour of the Catalans.  Another fan, Francis, an electronics salesman likes the view from the fence. “For me, the match is unpredictable. Both sides are good, the end of 90 minutes will determine who carries the day. But I am supporting Barcelona and hope they’ll win” he said

Messi, Eto, Henry and Iniesta are familiar names Barcelona fans will be pitching their fortunes on. Once the first prediction came through it wasn’t difficult finding more patrons to stake on the Rome crystal ball, “Manchester United will win because they are the best club in the world, the match will end 2-0 in favour of Manchester United” Funmilayo, a student said. Farouk and Tayo dressed up in United and Barca jerseys respectively, though brothers are fighting on opposites of the arena in today’s final. If your guess is as good as mine, a family feud is already brewing

So in 90 minutes, Rome’s gladiatorial clash of titans will decide Europe’s best club. Predicting a winner in tonight’s contest could be akin to the lucky throw of the die. But one thing you can though be rest assured of is, football will definitely be the winner.

Emmaefe, CONNECTAFRICA