JUN 01 - 15 2014 VOL 001 Nº58
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BIAFRAN HEROES HAILED ACROSS THE WORLD
...Pictures on page 12 By Ukachukwu Okorie
FIFA WORLD COUP page 02
FLORA MARATHON HELD page 14
WHY BIAFRA CAN NOT WORK
AFRICA DAY IN PICS
page 08
CHARGE D’AFFAIRES AT THE NIGERIA EMBASSY
page 10
EGYPT ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
page 16
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AFRICAWORLD MAY 16 - 31 2014
NEWS
Sport FIFA WORLD CUP 2014
Sport FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 FIFAWORLD COUPAFRICAN REPRESENTATIVES
By Nigel Ryan
The most glamorous showcase of global soccer for some time will seethe five African nations of Nigeria, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Ghana facing some of the toughest names in football at FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014. As the June 12th kick-off approaches, we assess the teams’ group chances, qualifying records and star-players likely to shine at the event.
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Nigeria football Team AFRICA CHAMPIONS
igeria
Brazil 2014 is the fifth World Cup for the Super Eagles. Group F sees them up against Argentina, Iran and Bosnia Herzegovina. Manager Stephen Keshi has a formidable reputation and with a team containing John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses expectation will be high for a second place finish behind the might of Messi & Co. for Argentina.
However, memories of the impressive 2013 triumph have dimmed somewhat with a relatively lacklustre World Cup qualifying campaign. Just seven goals against relatively weak opposition in Kenya, Malawi and Namibia were a poor return considering the undoubted talent throughout the side. They finally made it through with a 4-1 aggregate success in the play-off against continental heavyweights Ethiopia, but won few plaudits for the quality of their campaign displays along the way.
The draw arguably favours Nigeria who should Prediction: Second in Group F. have enough firepower to put a robust challenge to Iran and Bosnia, before a 25th June showdown against group favourites Argentina at Porto Alegre. The Nigerian fan base will hope that three or four points in the bag before the final game will leave them in a good posi- Jon Obi Mikel tion to claim the runner-up spot in the group.
3 to watch:
Bar 2006 the Super Eagles have qualified consecutively since 1994 and as an historical West African powerhouse and current CAF African champions, prestige and pride will be important factors influencing their displays. The Nigerian fan-base is particularly demanding and performances that combine results and attractive attacking football will be paramount to their list of expectations from the national team.
The Chelsea midfielder is perhaps the best known of the Nigerian players travelling to Brazil.His Premier League performances have been outstanding on occasion but lately a starting place at Stamford Bridge has not been anything like the sure thing of the past. Nevertheless, if the Super Eagles are to have any chance of restricting the Argentine attacks or dominating against Iran and Bosnia in the earlier encounters, Obi Mikel will have to carry the burden and lead by example.
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Victor Moses The Lagos born winger poses a threat due to his pace and striking ability. His goals against Malawi and Egypt were vital to qualification and it’s difficult to see how he could be adequately replaced. Pressure will be on him to bring an attacking menace. However, due to a lack of game-time following his season long loan to Liverpool there are some doubts about whether his match sharpness will be what it might come June.
Vincent Enyeama The 31 year old Lille ‘keeper was named Man of the Match in the 2010 World Cup encounter with Argentina. He made a string of fine saves and the South Americans could only breach his line once during the game. A repeat performance would grant him legendary status in his homeland but it may be in the previous two less glamorous matches that his outstanding shot-stopping services will be especially significant to the Super Eagles progress in Brazil. A record of penalty taking and saving exploits adds to the drama of what Enyeama will bring
to the tournament for neutrals.
MAY 16 - 31 2014
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NEWS
FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 Sport may well put in some eye-catching displays this summer.
Cameroon After a drama filled qualification campaign, the daunting task facing Cameroon is arguably the toughest of all five African qualifiers. Three coaches were in charge during group games against Libya, Congo DR and Togo. Frenchman Denis Lavagne was dismissed, only for his successor Jean-Paul Akono to be ruled out due to ill health. Veteran German Volker Finke finally led the side to success and a home 4-1 victory and aggregate win against Tunisia in the play-off.
Algeria football Team Algeria It’s the fourth World Cup for the Fennec Foxes who qualified strongly after five wins in six qualifiers and a tough play-off victory over Burkina Faso. The experienced Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic will attempt to guide the side past South Korea and challenge Russia or Belgium for second spot in Group H. Algeria earned a draw with England in South Africa 2010 and beat World Champions West Germany in ‘82 so another shock against a formidable Belgium or European veterans Russia can’t be ruled out. Realistically, victory over South Korea in their second fixture will be their imperative. However, the opening match against Belgium in Belo Horizonte on the 17th June will be intriguing to see if they can recapture some of the spirit of previous giant-killing exploits and set themselves up to challenge Russia for second place in the final Group H encounter at Curitiba.
Prediction: 3rd in Group H
3 to watch: Islam Slimani The Sporting Lisbon striker has an impressive career goals-to-games ratio and will lead the line for his team in the South American showcase. His five goals in qualifying helped thwart
the hopes of Benin, Mali, Rwanda and Burkina Faso. His strength and height will worry the Koreans in particular. Slimani will turn 26 during the Group stage with a goal or two to celebrate no doubt a top priority.
Madjid Bougherra After stints with Crewe, Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday in England, Bougherra moved to Rangers in Scotland where he won three consecutive league titles and earned a reputation as a solid, if at times unruly defender cum midfield spoiler. He is French born but qualifies for Algeria through his grandfather and now plays club football in Qatar. The rock of the his side’s defence, opponents will face a challenge getting through on goal due to his presence, talent and experience at the back.
Saphir Taider Taider is also French born and represented Les Bleus at youth level before declaring for Algeria. His youthful promise attracted Serie A interest and eventually prompted Juventus and Inter Milan to shell out for his talents. Taider
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Cameroon are World Cup stalwarts with six previous appearances to be added to at Brazil 2014. They’ve also provided one of the most memorable World Cup characters in thirtyeight year old Roger Milla and his goals in 1990 that helped them reach the quarterfinal stage. Only die-hard optimists can expect a repeat this time though, with Brazil, Mexico and Croatia making up a formidable Group A. Perhaps a draw against Mexico in their first match at Natal on June 13th could lead to hopes of defeating Croatia prior to a showdown with the hosts at Brasilia ten days later. Reliance on Eto’o for goals may be pushing things with age now a factor and few would back anything more than a scrap for third place for Cameroon this time around.
Samuel Eto’o Cameroon
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Sport FIFA WORLD CUP 2014 the USA twice at finals and have them again this time around in their first tie at Natal on the 16th June. A top performance against Portugal in the final group game may see them through this time around.
Prediction: 3rd in Group G
3 to watch: Sully Muntari
Ghana football Team Prediction: Fourth in Group A
Alexandre Song
3 to watch:
The former Arsenal midfielder has moved into the shadows somewhat in Barcelona’s star filled squad following his big money move last summer. He will see Brazil 2014 as a chance to remind the soccer family of his many talents. Tireless midfield running and the strength to win the ball and hold off opponents are his characteristic qualities with quality passing also within his considerable inventory. He played in all eight qualifiers and will want to see the national-team do better than last time in South Africa when they were the first to exit the tournament.
Benoit Assou-Ekotto The Tottenham defender has built a reputation for his solid performances and refreshingly outspoken manner. Currently on loan to Queens Park Rangers, Assou-Ekotto is another of the French born stars that went on to declare for an African side. He’s a formidable manmarker and intelligent with possession and distribution of the ball. He started out with Lens before making the switch to England where he has won favour for being frank about matters outside the game including racism, the London riots and his view that most players are motivated more by money than loyalty to their clubs.
Samuel Eto’o After an award and success filled career at some of the biggest clubs in world football, time has now caught up with the veteran striker who has struggled to make an impact since being signed by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. However, he may feel a World Cup stage is the right place to show what he can do and he can perhaps expect another big money transfer before retirement. Hugely experience and talented, he scored twice in four games during qualification and knows he must deliver to give Cameroon any hope of making it out of Group A.
Ghana Three consecutive World Cup appearances give Ghana an enviable World Cup qualifying record. They easily made it this time with goals aplenty against minnows Lesotho and tougher opponents Zambia, Sudan and Egypt. The quality throughout the side arguably makes them the pick of the five African qualifiers but their task is a tough one with Germany, Portugal and USA making up the contingent in Group G for Brazil 2014. Managed by former player James Kwesi Appiah and with a team boasting several names at top European sides, Ghana have something to prove after the disappointing manner of their exit to dark horses Uruguay at South Africa 2010. South American teams have been their downfall thus far in World Cups with the 2006 defeat to Brazil and dismissal by Uruguay in the 2010 Quarter final. However, they’ve beaten
The Milan midfielder netted three times in seven qualifiers to add to Ghana’s twentyfive-goal tally. He’s experienced the game at the highest level with two Seire A titles and a Champion’s League win at Inter Milan. Now playing his trade for their city rivals his qualities and teamwork with Frimpong and Essien will be essential to Ghana’s chances in Brazil.
Asamoah Gyan In a less formidable group Gyan might well have become one of the tournament stars. He’s shown he can perform at the top level by scoring against the Czech Republic and in 2006. In 2010 he was goal-happy again with strikes against Serbia, Australia and the USA as part of the Black Stars progress to the last sixteen. However there is a negative side to his game with a couple of penalty misses and a sendingoff against Brazil finals’ incidents for him to forget. Now looking for a way back to the top from the obscurity of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, Gyan can redeem himself at Brazil 2014.
Michael Essien One of a generation of African players to play crucial roles in European clubs’ success over the past decade, Essien will see the World Cup as perhaps his last chance to shine on the highest stage. He performed well in 2006 helping Ghana reach the second round only to be suspended for the defeat to Brazil. He missed South Africa 2010 through one of the injuries that have blighted his career. After announcing international retirement he is now back and will help make the Black Stars midfield one of the most formidable in the whole tournament.
JUN 01 - 15 2014
Columbia, Greece and Japan surely provide weaker Group opposition than that faced by the Elephants in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. Ivory Coast have scored in all but one of their six World Cup appearances so far and were it not for facing the might of Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands they may well have gone on and made a mark in those two previous tournaments. There is certainly talent enough in their ranks with Yaya Touré, Gervinho, Didier Drogba and other household names from the Premier League and top flights further elsewhere.
Perhaps the most naturally gifted midfielder currently operating in the English Premier League, Toure will be many fans one-to-watch in the Group games in Brazil. He has the pace, striking ability, passing and tackling to make him one of the best players of his generation. Barcelona make few mistakes but allowing him to leave for Manchester City was surely one. Four goals in six qualifying games show he’s committed to doing his bit for the national side when it counts.
With inexperienced French coach Sabri Lamouchi at the helm some doubts about tactical nous exist. Nevertheless, qualification was straightforward even if Tanzania, Morocco and Gambia were some of the weaker opponents faced by any of the five qualifiers. Goals should not be a problem and the best hopes of the continent lie with Ivory Coast this time around.
After making his debut in 2010, Bony has become a relied upon addition to the Ivory Coast side. He netted three times in five games during qualifying and has won praise for his side Swansea performances in the Premier League. Previous impressive spells at Sparta Prague and Vitesse Arnhem show he’s one of the sharpest young finishers around.
Prediction:
3 to watch: Didier Drogba He’ll be thirty six when the games begin but maintains a threat with good Champions League form for Galatasaray and three goals in five in qualifying it’d be brave of the coach to leave him out in favour of younger, less experienced team-mates. Having won it all at club level he’ll want to bow out of a glittering international career on a high. Few can match Drogba’s outstanding strike rate for his clubs and country.
Wilfried Bony
HERE
Yaya Toure
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Didier Drogba - Ivory Coast
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AFRICAWORLD JUN 01 - 15 2014
PUBLICITY ALGERIA
The 17th Ministerial Conference of the NonAligned Movement commenced on Wednesday (May28) in Algiers, under the theme “Enhanced Solidarity for Peace and Prosperity”. Algeria assumed the presidency from the current chair of the Movement, Iran and the Conference was addressed both by Algeria’s Prime Minister and its Foreign Minister.. BURUNDI
For the first time in history, Burundian women have taken up playingGOSSIP traditional drums. While some Burundian men regard the phenomenon as a positive step towards gender equality, for others it is an insult to the country’s culture and history. CAMEROON
The terrorist group Boko Haram still has more than 200 girls in their custody. To prevent a further spill over, Cameroon and Chad have sent military to the border region in a bid to stop the extremists. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Refugees fleeing violence in the Central African Republic have started receiving vital hygiene supplies and medicine, after distributions by global children’s charity Plan International. Nearly 85,000 people have crossed the border into Cameroon where Plan is operating. UNHCR figures suggest 80 per cent of all refugees are suffering from serious illnesses including diarrhea, anaemia and respiratory infections. Many children are malnourished and have medical complications.
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COLUMNISTS
EDITORIAL REGISTER TO VOTE ELSE YOU WILL REGRET IT From the result of last elections, it is crystal clear that something is wrong with immigrants attitude to elections in the republic of Ireland. The truth is many cared less about voting in the last European and Council elections. The
RETURN OF THE NATIVE UKACHUKWU OKORIE
reason of ‘I did not register’ was sung like a chorus to canvassers on the streets on
We often forget the labour of our heroes in the past and present. Although many have continue to distinguish themselves for the progress of Africa and humanity. This column excavates positives in the toils and vicissitudes of men and women of great character, thereby helping to ignite a new flame in our champions today. It is as hot as the basic menu in the Irish Chipper. Get addicted to it.
election day. The question I ask immigrants particularly Africans is - If you do not vote in elections, how do you effect the change you so much desire or sustain policies that favour you?
AFRICAWORLD NEWS DIRECTOR ABDUL YUSUF
TECH_PILOT - UCHENNA ONYENAGUBO “A prophet has no regard in his town”, they usually say but that is balderdash. Here is our IT Columnist who brings to you the often neglected, yet basic tech. solutions. From your gadgets to external soft/hardware accessories, our Tech_Pilot will help you understand with ease as if you are loosening a bolt. This is an important column for all.
AGONY CORNER: Are you heartbroken or seeking love? Do you need the tips to make him/ her stay with you? A great charmer yet uncelebrated like the Dublin Spire that connects many especially new love birds that see it as meeting or melting point. Agony Corner is all you need if you are a Lover Boy/Girl. Let the contents serve as your romance liturgy.
DD’S CUBICLE - DUNSTAN UKAGA Come to think of a writer who writes fearlessly no matter whose ox is gored. Our International Affairs Columnist is a widely traveled guy, leaving you satisfied with his analysis like the manner Didier Drogba left Chelsea fans after slotting in his penalty kick, thereby granting them the audacity to lift the Euro Champions league trophy. Follow his page on AfricaWorld Newspaper.
Trends in Irish politics should serve as eye opener to immigrants in Eire. There is need for vigilance and participation. There is need also, to support those who encourage proper integration. Immigrants must wake up from the slumber of political apathy lest policies detrimental to their well being will be the order of the day. AfricaWorld will partner with relevant agency to spur voter registration among unregistered voters, particularly immigrants in Ireland. Plan to register now and stop blaming anyone
AFRICAWORLD CHIEF REPORTER - PAUL KELLY
AFRICAWORLD TV DIRECTOR/ SECRETARY KOKETSO MOHOTLOANE
XRAY WITH FR. VIN VINCENT ARISUKWU A prolific writer in the order of Melchizedek of old. This Columnist brings his daily sermon on social justice to our global readership. The column ‘Xray with Fr. Vin’ is core analysis touching issues affecting all spectrum of life. In as much as it can be religious, it has political and sociocultural underpinnings in lessons. It can also serve as a ‘Mea Culpa’ for existential harmony.
AFRICAWORLD & MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS Editor Ukachukwu Okorie
Secretary / TV Director Koketso Mohotloane
News Director Abdul Yusuf
Chief Reporter Paul Kelly
60 SECONDS WITH THE DUCHESS NENA HUNTAZ Our Celebrity Queen bring to us ‘who is who’ in the African entertainment world from the Elizabethan city of London. “It is up to you”, however our readers who follow her column know the current and upcoming acts in the African celebrity firmament. See your African Stars and know ‘how far’ with them on 60 SECONDS WITH THE DUCHESS. Don’t miss it on AfricaWorld Newspaper every two weeks.
The Editorial team at AfricaWorld would like to point out that it is aware of the Millennium Development Goals and seeks to
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AFRICAWORLD JUN 01 - 15 2014
NEWS DJIBOUTI
In Somalia al-Shebab has claimed responsibility for the weekend’s two deadly bomb attacks on a Djibouti restaurant. Westerners, especially French commandos, were the target, the al-Qaeda-linked group said. Speaking to Radio al Andulus al-Shebab spokesperson Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rageh said their fighters were behind the attack in which three people were killed and more than 15 others injured.. EGYPT Former Egyptian army chief Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has won a landslide victory in his presidential bid against rival Hamdeen Sabahi. Preliminary results from the three-day extended vote, which ended Wednesday, give Sissi more than 93 percent of ballots. ETHIOPIA UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) welcomed the first African Union campaign to end child
marriage launched in Addis Adaba. It is the first time that such a large range of government officials, organizations, United Nations agencies and individuals, including youth and children, vow to collectively end a practice that cuts short the childhood of over 17 million girls - 1 in 3 - across the continent. GHANA
GWest African leaders holded an extraordinary meeting on 29th May, in Accra, hana, to discuss the degenerating security situation in Nigeria and Mali where Islamists militants have launched intense attacks in the last one month.
The Security Council today extended the United Nations peacekeeping force in Abyei - an area contested by Sudan and South Sudan - as well as the missions assisting GuineaBissau and Somalia with their efforts to advance stability, security and development
KENYA Recent terror attacks in Nairobi have generated w i d e s p re a d x e n o p h o b i c sentiment against the Somali community, both within the public and government circles. Resisting oppressive mechanisms, emphasis should be placed on social transformation that creates opportunities for the average Kenyan and reduces the recruitment appeal of terror networks.
LIBERIA At least 54 Ivorian refugees have so far crossed over to surrounding towns and villages in Liberia for refuge, as sporadic gunfire has become the order of the day in the area.
By Dunstan Ukaga
Why Biafra
‘’Now, therefore, I, LieutenantColonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria, by virtue of the authority, and pursuant to the principles, recited above, do hereby solemnly proclaim that the territory and region known as and called Eastern Nigeria together with her continental shelf and territorial waters shall henceforth be an independent sovereign state of the name and title of “The Republic of Biafra”.
tensions. In September 1966, approximately 30,000 Igbo were killed in the north, and some Northerners were killed in backlashes in eastern cities. After the federal and eastern governments failed to reconcile, on 26 May the Eastern region voted to secede from Nigeria. On 30 May, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Eastern Region’s military governor, announced the Republic of Biafra, citing the Easterners killed in the postcoup violence.
According to sources from Wikipedia, Biafra, officially the Republic of Biafra, was a secessionist state in south-eastern Nigeria that existed from 30 May 1967 to 15 January 1970, taking its name from the Bight of Biafra.
On 30 May, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Eastern Region’s military governor, announced the Republic of Biafra The large amount of oil in the region created conflict, as oil was a major component of the Nigerian economy.
In 1960, Nigeria became independent of the United Kingdom. As with many other new African states, the borders of the country did not reflect earlier ethnic boundaries. Thus the northern Sudan and Sahelian Savannah region of the country is made up of Muslim majority, while the southern population was predominantly Christian and Animist. Furthermore, Nigeria’s oil, its primary source of income, was located in the south of the country. Following independence, Nigeria was divided primarily along ethnic lines with Hausa and Fulani in the north, Yoruba in the south-west, Ijaws in the south and Igbo in the south-east. In January 1966, a group of primarily eastern Igbo led a military coup during which 30 political leaders including Nigeria’s Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar T Balewa, and the Northern premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello, were killed. Nnamdi, the President, of Igbo extraction, and the premier of the southeastern part of the country were not killed. In July 1966 northern officers and army units staged a counter-coup. Muslim officers named a Christian from a small ethnic group (the Anga) in central Nigeria, General Yakubu J. Gowon, as the head of the Federal Military Government (FMG). The two coups deepened Nigeria’s ethnic
The Eastern region was very ill equipped for war, out-manned, and out-gunned by the military of the remainder of Nigeria. Their advantages included fighting in their homeland and support of most Easterners. The British and Soviet support (especially militarily) of the Nigerian government played a major role in the outcome of the warIn January 1967, the military leaders and senior police officials of each region met in Aburi, Ghana and agreed on a loose confederation of regions. The Northerners were at odds with the Aburi Accord; Obafemi Awolowo, the leader of the Western Region warned that if the Eastern Region seceded, the Western Region would also, which persuaded the northerners. According to BBC Will Ross, in
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Enugu state, south east Nigeria:’’In a quiet, dusty and fairly secluded corner of Enugu city, south-eastern Nigeria, a group of men unfurled a homemade flag and then sang.“Biafra will live forever. Nothing will stop us,” was the gist of their anthem in the Igbo language. They were not exactly belting it out and instead of hoisting the flag up a pole, it was tied to a metal gate. But there is good reason for discretion - in the eyes of the authorities the gathering is illegal.’’ Forty-two years after the end of the devastating civil war in which government troops fought and defeated Biafran secessionists, the dream of independence has not completely died. With the shout of marginalization by Igbos of Nigeria, many young intellectuals have taken a new dimension on the social media to campaign for the rebirth of Biafra. Not just on social media alone, many agencies supporting and reviving the Biafran dream have sprung up among Igbos of the old school and Igbos of the new school.“No amount of threats or arrests will stop us from pursuing our freedom selfdetermination for Biafrans,” said Edeson Samuel, national chairman of the Biafran Zionist Movement (BZM). “We were forced into this unholy marriage but we don’t have the same culture as the northerners. Our religion and culture are quite different from the northerners,” he told the BBC. The group broke away from the betterknown Movement For The Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (Massob) which seemed initially the genuine revolutionists when late Odumegwu Ojukwu got tired as an old man.Indeed late general Odumegwu Ojukwu as we would love to be remembered by Igbos fought for their freedom and gave his life, money and energy for the Biafran cause and Igbo cause till death took him away. Today, as I look at young Igbos who want to actualize Biafra, I really doubt if they understand the concept of freedom.
JUN 01 - 15 2014
AFRICAWORLD
NEWS
can’t work MADAGASCAR
Last week’s poll had been plagued by problems from the outset, with voting materials turning up hours late and ballot papers being sent to the wrong parts of the country. Organisers had to extend voting in some urban areas for a second day and initial counting was delayed by power outages and a lack of generators at polling stations. Voters went on the rampage in the capital Lilongwe and in the commercial city of Blantyre burning tyres and shops before the military moved in and intervened. MOROCCO Morocco has made great strides towards the better promotion and protection of human rights, United Nations
High Commissioner Navi Pillay said at the end of her first official visit to the country, but urged officials to approve pending draft laws and more robustly implement and enforce new legislation.
received.
funding.
NIGERIA President Yoweri Museveni’s criticism of the government’s plan of action against terror spread by Boko Haram and the request for assistance from overseas, has not been well-
RWANDA Small-scale farmers have improved access to loans, farm inputs, markets and advice due to a resurgence of agricultural cooperatives backed by goverment policy and donor
SEYCHELLES The World Bank’s Vice President for the Africa Region, Mr. Makhtar Diop will visit Seychelles from May 24-27. Mr. Diop’s visit will build on recent development talks between the Government of Seychelles and the World Bank Regional Vice-President held in Washington DC in April, and further deepen the strong relationship between the two partners. SOUTH AFRICA
For almost five months, around 80,000 South African miners belonging to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) have not received any pay due to on-going industrial action. The workers, who have been striking since January 23, are demanding a base wage of around $1,200 (881 euros), compared to the $600 starting wage they currently receive.
I have read Uche Okoro and Osita Ebiem’s article entitled ‘’Actualizing Biafra’’ and published by the Nigerian Voice, they succinctly put it right when they opine:’’Fighting for freedom is one thing that meets with lots of oppositions. It is human nature to try and enslave others and history has a lot to teach us about this. In the 1960s, precisely between the years of 1966 and 1970 more than 3.1 million men and women and children lost their lives to no other reason but the fact that they wanted to be free from oppression and subjugation. Today the same situation that led to the genocide and war still persists even to a greater degree. Currently a lot of people are actively engaged in the struggle to reclaim Biafra’s sovereignty and secure independence for the people who have been so oppressed and persecuted for this long time.
conditions change. And as all keen watchers of today can bear witness there is a lot of diplomatic and policy changes taking place in the world. Some, rather all those nations that committed one of the worst policy and political blunders of all time in Biafra have come to realize that there will never be a time anybody can be justified when they collude with another to commit Genocide such as was committed in Biafra. With this being the case at the moment, the Biafran activists are not actually running any risk of losing the battle. At this moment it seems like situations and events are actually aligning favorably to bring about a speedy actualization of the new Biafra. But that doesn’t discount the fact that there will be some hick-ups here and there along the way but on the overall the odds are hugely tilted on the side of Biafra’s speedy independence. Biafra has at least one important asset she can bargain with – their oil and gas wealth. They can and are already attracting to their side some interested parties with this bet. One important reality in life that has always worked out right is using what one has to get what one truly needs. This is not new; it is as old as civilization, as in the age-old tradition of trade by batter. The people of Biafra need an independent sovereign state of Biafra and they have oil, and people in other places need the oil and gas to power their economy and Biafrans are willing to give of their oil and gas in exchange for freedom...
One thing is certain Biafra’s freedom activists of today have come a long way. This is a new breed of people who are focused, determined and would rather have a planned future than a chanced tomorrow. Biafra of the 1960s was a child of circumstance and never pre-planned for while the new Biafra is one the people are consciously and surely planning and working hard at achieving her freedom. Nothing is being left to chance, the people are conscious of the challenges while at the same time they are joyfully anticipating the day of their freedom and independence. Some of those challenges the activists are contending with are very obvious That is the least of prices to pay realities and we shall mention a few for one’s freedom. These freedom of them. activists are aware that independence or freedom is never given to anybody One of the challenges facing on a platter of Gold. There are prices Biafra’s separatist movements is that: always to pay. The existing nations Nigeria is still a country under the do not naturally like new one’s to UN umbrella and is still recognised emerge especially if they have worldwide as such. Also Nigeria still anything to benefit from their has a few allies such as Britain and oppression therefore the Biafran the Islamic/Arab world. And as a activists recognize the importance of result Nigeria still has working allies and are willing to gain as many diplomatic relationships with those supports as they can. As situations and some other international continue to evolve they will definitely organizations such as Organization continue to change and fine tune their of the Islamic Conference, OIC. We strategies by taking cognizance of can recall that Nigeria could not have prevailing situations. The Biafran defeated Biafra in the Biafra-Nigeria movements of today are definitely War of 1967 to 1970 without the help not taking any options off the table of some of those allied nations of as they are more than ever determined Britain and the then USSR. It wasn’t to achieve their freedom and going to be possible for them. But independence within the shortest like we all know, the world we live time.’’ in is a dynamic one, time and
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As 30th May drew close and I followed photos of young and old Igbos celebrating it as Biafran’s veterans day, I have kept asking questions if Biafra would ever work? These are my few fears and questions: 1. Igbos have massively invested in Lagos, in the north and south. Should Nigeria break up, what happens to these massive investments made outside Igboland by Igbos? The abandoned property brouhaha orchestrated by late Ken Saro Wiwa of old River state and implemented by most southern states of Nigeria has not been forgotten by Igbos. 2. The old Igbo elites and intellectuals do not seem to support the new Biafra. If an old man does not support a vision of his child, that child must think wisely. 3. Shall the new Biafra be achieved through war? War again? God forbids. War does not pay. No Nigerian wants to to war again. 4. Corruption. Most young Nigerians think with facts that the older generation of politicians and pastors are mostly corrupt or support corruption. With this mindset, how would Biafra work? 5. Security of lives and properties. Most Igbos still feel safe in the west, north and south and outside Igboland where they have been born and resided for ages than going back to Igboland where they feel strange at times. 6. Is Igbo language not almost extinct? Except in the east where Igbo is spoken completely as a language, and in market places within other parts of Nigeria where Igbos congregate, Igbos are the only racial group that would encourage their children to learn and speak English or other languages than their original language. 7. What about Biafran Nigerians and Biafran Diaspora? These were born after the civil war outside Igboland, most of them have never been to Igboland, most of them reside in the north, south and west of Nigeria. Most reside abroad. Their only link to Igboland is their surname or their bodily features. As such they do not think like Igbos and they see no connections to Biafraland.
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IN PICTURES
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PHOTONEWS
PHOTONEWS
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POLITICS
BIAFRA HERO MAY 16 - 31 2014
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PHOTO NEWS NEWS
ACROSS THE WORLD
30th M
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OES REMBERED
PARTICULARLY IN DUBLIN
May 2014 Rally
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PHOTONEWS
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PHOTONEWS
FLORA MARATHON HELD About 40,000 women took part in the Flora Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin on June 2nd
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NEWS
SOUTH SUDAN South Sudanese rebels led by the former vicepresident Riek Machar rejected on Thursday the use of United Nation peacekeepers to protect oil installations in the country, saying such a mandate would make the world body complicit
SUDAN
her Christian faith.
Sudan’s government is discussing the possibility of reversing the death sentence passed on Meriam Ibrahim, who was sentenced to hang for refusing to renounce
TOGO Electoral officials have registered a new political party in Togo, the Togolese Party (PT), formed by Alberto Olympio, a young trader and computer expert living abroad.
TUNISIA The Ministerial consultative meeting of Libya’s neighboring countries held in Algiers on the sidelines of the 17th Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (May 28-29, 2014) decided to convene its next meeting in Tunisia.
ZIMBABWE The ongoing reengagement efforts of the European Union (EU) have further intensified, with a multimillion-dollar rescue packaged being pledged by Brussels for the ZANU PF government.
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Charge d’Affairs at Nigerian Embassy in Dublin AFRICAWORLD
Georges Aklabi honoured in a Valedictory Party
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Egypt’s progression toward an economically successful society The success in achieving the objectives of a more open and competitive economy will depend on the effective implementation of a sustainable plan By Cristina Casabón
T
here has been limited market reforms since the January 2011 revolution, and even former interim government showed the first steps in solving the country’s most pressing problems, it is necessary to promote a sustainable stimulus long–term plan. Egypt is in a crucial moment, and adopting an economy policy will help the country to position itself better to deal with the economic challenges
and recuperate the pre-revolutionary growth rates. Proposed strategies are to attract private equity funding from international sources. In addition, trade and investment liberalization should be followed by comprehensive economic reforms such as the progressive reduction in food and energy subsidies, and the process of public sector reform. Egypt protectionist economy started its transi-
tion to a functioning market economy in the sixties, and the economic boom (1974-1985) was the result of the oil prices increment, the foreign exchange influx, the tourism growth, and the international investment. But the Infitah (openness) had to face the mitigation of the standard of living, and authorities didn’t follow the International Monetary Fund demands. Finally, instead of reducing price subsidies, government decided to increase them. Mubarak’s
The reforms should start reducing the subsidies system in food and energy to promote the market competition
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centrally planned economy increased the external debt, and the global decline in oil prices, high interest rates and the general economic decline in the decade of the 1980 generated catastrophic fiscal and current account deficits. As a result, accumulation of external debt put Egypt on the verge of bankruptcy. In response to this crisis, the government concreted another agreement with the IMF in May 1991 as well as the so-called Economic Reform and Structural Adjustment Program (ERSAP) with the World Bank. In order to sustain the achievements made under the ERSAP, the structural challenges and adjustment included a wave of privatizations and public enterprise reforms, but the infrastructural projects and loans for business investment led to a huge internal debt. In the start of the 21st century, the economy was decelerated, and the growth rate, which was about 3%, was insufficient to fix this problem. A new wave of privatizations was launched with consistent measures. By meeting commercial terms and contractual obligations with the IMF, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization, the relationships between Egypt and many multilateral institutions were improved. Egypt continued with economic liberalization, opening the internal market and maximizing the impact by favoring investments through the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and a new investment law reform (2007). Reforms in energy and food subsidies, privatization of the state-owned Bank of Cairo, and inflation targeting are perhaps the most controversial economic issues of those years. The rise of the last global financial crisis led to a set of fiscal-monetary policy measures to face its repercussions, but business cronies impeded the ability to meet financial targets, and Mubarak stepped down on February 2011, after 18 days of protests demanding improved living standards. After the January 2011 Revolution, Foreign Direct Investment activity in Egypt decreased. In 2013 it fell from $2734.70 million in the second quarter of the year to $2365.90 million in the third quarter, and the main causes according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report for 2013-2014, were the policy instability, the coup and the insecurity. On the other hand, those problems affected the tourism sector as well. Egypt welcomed 8.7 million of tourists in the first eleven months of 2013, compared with 10.5 million in the same period of 2012. Even if political uncertainty and domestic in-
The long-term economy strategy is ineludible and necessary for the development of the country
stability are two crucial problems for the economy in this moment, the long-term economy strategy is ineludible and necessary for the development of the country. While the working age population is constantly growing, with more than 500.000 new young workers per year, many of its citizens are trapped in poverty and economic stagnation. This represents a serious challenge to Egypt’s intergenerational cohesion. The number of unemployed people reached 3.6 million by the end of 2013 and 69% of them were aged between 15 and 29. More than 82% of those young unemployed held diplomas and university degrees, according to state-run statistics body CAPMAS. Making the labour market more dynamic and inclusive is an objective of the economic reform.
IMF Head Christine Lagarde in Giza, Egypt
There is a need to put emphasis on the transition to a functioning market economy under an effective rule of law in order to restore economic growth, investor confidence, and employment. Multinational institutions and international companies from the West and the Gulf States could support many of the economic projects. Former president Mohammed Morsi through IMF conditionality will lead to unpopular structural reforms, but the government’s rejection of the IMF’s $750 million loan in 2013 was a bad signal of the ability to meet commercial terms and contractual obligations.
In the short run the impact of the reforms can be small or even negative because of adjustment costs More recently, in February 2014, former interim Prime Minister El-Beblawi agreed with IMF’s general manager Christine Lagarde to enhance their cooperation, especially through
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technical assistance in the areas of monetary and financial policies, but there was no mention about loan negotiations with the interim cabinet. Securing an IMF loan could improve the relationships between Egypt and many multilateral institutions, and can provide confidence to foreign investors. Egypt should choose between the unpopularity derived from IMF demands and the unattractiveness for the international markets. In the short-run the impact of the reforms can be small or even negative because of adjustment costs, but they would be more beneficial in terms of generating growth and recuperate legitimacy in the economy policies. Gulf States such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates offered financial aid and fuel supplies following the overthrow of Mohammed Morsi. Without a long-term investment strategy, the external aid would only provide temporary relief. The so-called Green Field Investments should follow these financial aid packages; which can promote new operational facilities, generate new long-term jobs and develop the internal market. In addition, foreign trade policy measures should remove restrictions on imports and exports in order to create efficiency in the external market. The reforms in the public enterprise should start reducing the subsidies system in food and energy to promote the market competition, and it would be needed to raise infrastructural investments in gas and electricity sectors. The success in achieving the objectives of a more open and competitive economy will depend on effective and consistent implementation of market reforms, which should reduce barriers to entry and exit, eliminating restrictions on economic activities. Competition and deregulation measures would reduce the costs, leading to an increase in consumption, investment and exports in the long term. Proposed policies and measures in investment and trade liberalization, and structural reforms in the public and private sectors will eliminate economic disequilibria with international companies, giving prime place to market. The policy measures also must ensure that Egypt is facing the economic reforms in different economic sectors to develop economic diversification, for economic diversification policies in terms of the production and the export basket can significantly reduce the country’s vulnerability in food and energy.
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