African voice newspaper 492

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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ISSUE 492

SINCE 2001

B R I TA I N ’ S N O . 1 A F R I C A N N E W S PA P E R

£1.00

Day Open Series hosted by Soyinka in London

Gebreselassie says I’ll run again . . . for presidency

SEE PAGE 22

SEE PAGE 13

Army officer arrested for corpse desecration

SEE PAGE 17

Victimisation vans hit London’s high streets

By Alan Oakley

Monday, July 22 heralded the controversial launch of a pilot scheme aimed at encouraging illegal immigrants to leave the UK of their own volition.

Mobile billboards, leaflets and local newspaper ads turned up in six Greater London boroughs to the consternation of local authority representatives, who raised concern that the policy would only serve to heighten tension between communities.

Immigration Minister Mark Harper said of the scheme: “We are making it more difficult for people to live and work in the UK illegally.

Every single day our enforcement officers are arresting, detaining and removing people with no right to be in the UK. “But there is an alternative to being led away in handcuffs. Help and advice can be provided to those who cooperate and return home voluntarily.

“This pilot is just another part of the reforms of the immigration system that have cut out abuse and seen net migration drop

to its lowest levels in nearly a decade. The Immigration Bill being introduced later this year will build on this work by restricting illegal migrants’ access to benefits and services.”

UKIP leader Nigel Farage condemned the campaign, suggesting it is the Conservatives’ way to shore up their support in the face of tangible competition from his party.

“What the billboards should say is please don’t vote UKIP, we’re doing something,” Mr Farage said. “That’s what it’s all about, of course it is.

“I think the actual tone of the billboards is nasty, unpleasant, Big Brother. I don’t think using messages like this will make any difference. What will make a difference is enforcing our borders properly.”

Mr Harper denied Mr Farage’s claims.

“This pilot is about targeting those individuals who have no right to be in the country,” he said. “We are giving them the opportunity and assistance to leave the country voluntarily.”

Continued on page 2

Win A Return Flight Ticket Courtesy

Leader of Brent, Muhammed Butt, likened the ‘Go home or face arrest’ poster campaign to the worst of 1950s racism

To be in with your chance to win a return ticket to a fantastic flight destination in Africa.

See page 27 for details.

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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Have You GotNews For Us Newsdesk: 020 7274 3933

Email: africanvoicenews@gmail.com

Reoffending is up, while first time offenders falls

While the number of people entering the criminal justice system is falling a hardcore group continue to reoffend at an alarming rate, latest figures show.

More than 400,000 crimes were committed by those who had broken the law before, in the year up to September 2011.

For those sentenced to less than 12 months, 58.5 per cent had reoffended within 12 months of their release up to September 2011 – this is 1.2 percentage points up on the previous year.

While the number of offenders coming to court is falling, alongside falling crime rates, more people who do commit crime are receiving prison sentences, according to recent figures.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said:“These figures make a compelling case for our important reforms - reoffending rates remaining doggedly high as a hardcore of offenders continue to cause misery in communities up and down the country.

“Where we are seeing real improvements in tackling this problem is our through the gate Payment by Results pilots, an approach I want to see rolled out across England and Wales by 2015.

News Employers in cross-hairs of new Immigration Bill The government has announced its intention to make sure that immigration enforcement is a consideration in all government business.

In preparation for the proposed Immigration Bill, which will be voted on by parliament later in the year, Prime Minister David Cameron established a committee in March chaired by immigration minister Steven Harper to look at ways to ensure that illegal immigrants found it harder to live and work in the UK. Subsequently, Mr Harper announced several measures designed to crack down on illegal workers and others to reduce the administrative burden on legitimate employers.

The main proposal is to double the maximum fine for employers who employ illegal workers from £10,000 to £20,000.

There will also be a provision allowing the recovery of fines from directors of fined companies if a company is dissolved before a fine is paid.

Mr Harper said: “This government is committed to taking action to effectively tackle illegal working. Illegal working encourages illegal immigration. It undercuts legitimate businesses by illegal cost-cutting activity and is often associated with exploitative behaviour like tax evasion and harmful working conditions”.

But Mr Harper said that the government was also keen to make it easier for legitimate employers to employ legal immigrants who have come to the UK on Tier 2 work visas. He said that he would

Tel: 020 7274 3933

The messages urge illegal migrants to text a number to get advice on returning home voluntarily to avoid arrest. The message in full reads: “In the UK illegally? Go home or face arrest.”

A hotline number is also shown where illegal immigrants may receive help and advice with travel documents. Leaflets and posters are being distributed in tandem with the billboard vans in the targeted boroughs.

British Immigration Minister Mark Harper has described the new initiative as “an alternative to being led away in handcuffs.”

The new measures have triggered a heated debate with many politicians up in arms over what they have condemned as “intimidation” from the government. Ex-minister Sarah Teather attacked the Home Office, decrying the measures as “nothing less than straightforward intimidation.”

“I fear that the only impact of this deeply divisive form of politics will be to create tension and mistrust to anyone who looks and sounds foreign,” she told The Guardian.

Baroness Hanham defended the measures on Wednesday in the House of Lords, maintaining that they tackle “the reality of the situation that there are people coming here without jobs and without accommodation.”

The billboard vans are cruising some of London’s more diverse boroughs, chosen because they have a below average number of voluntary returns according to the Home Office.

African Voice is published by African Voice UK.

Muhhamed Butt, leader of Brent council, said

Overton Road London SW9 7AP

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introduce the following changes to make it easier for employers to comply with the UK’s immigration rules.

• Reducing the number of documents that employers need to check in o der to be satisfied that a foreign worker has the right to work in the UK. The details of the changes have not been revealed.

• Removing the requirement that Tier 2 sponsors should check on non-EEA nationals every year and introducing in-

stead a requirement that a further check should be carried out only when the existing permission to be in the country is due to expire.

Mr Harper also said that legitimate employers would benefit when unfair competition from firms employing illegal immigrants is eliminated. The government is currently carrying out consultations on the proposals which will continue until 20th August 2013.

Victimisation vans hit London’s high streets Continued from front page

Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Mike Abiola Editorial Board Adviser Dr Ola Ogunyemi News Editor Peter Olorunnisomo Managing Editor Alan Oakley Sports Editor Abiodun Teriba Assist. Sports Editor Olubunmi Omoogun Arts Editor Golda John Columnists Ryan Holmes Ben Savill Photo Journalist Isaac Adegbite Graphic Designer African Voice UK Legal Adviser Nosa Kings Erhunmwunsee London Office: Unit 7 Holles House

Mark Harper MP

that the measures are likely to backfire on the Home Office and push illegal immigrants “further underground.”

“I just cannot see how this trick they are trying to use to flush out people is going to work,” Butt told reporters. “There is bound to be some impact on the community where people feel stigmatised, isolated and divided.”

Describing the scheme as “not helpful”, he went on to stress that there would be backlash that could result in illegal immigrants resorting to criminality. The labour councillor went on to draw a comparison with the 1950s wave of immigration, during which notices declaring, “No Blacks, No Irish and No dogs” were commonplace.

The Home Office said the following in their Press Release: Voluntary returns are the most cost-effective way of removing illegal immigrants and save the taxpayer money. This pilot builds on the

government’s current work on voluntary returns, which saw more than 28,000 voluntary departures last year.

The areas were chosen because they have either significantly higher or below average numbers of voluntary returns, meaning that the success of the pilot can be assessed.

Material has also been distributed in areas where illegal migrants are known to frequent, including newsagents, money transfer shops and internet cafes.

The pilot follows the launch of three consultations earlier this month which are looking to regulate illegal migrant access to public services and the right to live and work in the UK. Forming part of the new Immigration Bill, these proposals include regulating temporary migrants’ access to the NHS, requiring landlords to check the immigration status of tenants and tougher civil penalties for rogue employers that continue to exploit illegal immigrants.

The controversial message cruising London’s streets The controversial message cruising London’s streets

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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ADVERTORIAL

Knowing the signs of lung cancer could save your life

We’ve all had a cough before but sometimes we ignore it or assume that our cough is due to a change in weather or pollution. This month the NHS warns us not to ignore a persistent cough that has lasted for three weeks or more – get it checked out by your doctor. A cough that lasts for three weeks or more is the most common symptom of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is currently the biggest cancer killer in England, causing around 28,000 deaths each year. Those diagnosed at the earliest stage are five times more likely to survive the disease for at least five years, than those who are diagnosed at a late stage.

The only symptoms Yvonne had at the time was a dry cough that would come in the evening and losing her voice in the morning, which she put down to stress of family life. After being encouraged by her boss to go to the doctors, she was sent for a chest X-ray at her local hospital. It was then she was given the news.

“At first I couldn’t believe it, the only symptoms I had were losing my voice and a dry cough. It took a little time for it to sink in but in the end I had faith in God and decided that I wouldn’t let this beat me, I had two young girls to look after.”

Yvonne was told that she had a 16cm tumour in her left lung; the doctors explained that due to the size of the cancer the best course of treatment was to remove the whole lung.

After the operation to remove her lung, Yvonne also underwent a course of chemotherapy, which resulted in her becoming clear of cancer.

However the devoted mother had to muster her strength again in 2009 to fight the second bout of cancer, which had come back, this time in her right lung.

Marina Soya-Bongay

Marina Soya-Bongay, Macmillan Lung Clinical Specialist Nurse, works with lung cancer patients and their families at St George’s Hospital.

She said “there are many misconceptions within our community about cancer and whether it’s treatable or not. Some people in our community believe that you cannot survive cancer but with early diagnosis many have fought and won their battle with lung cancer. It can be treated if caught early and you can go on to have a good quality of life afterwards.”

Yvonne West’s story shows how early diagnosis can save your life.

At the age of 53-years-old, the mother-of-two has courageously beaten lung cancer twice and is about to see her youngest daughter go to University.

She was first diagnosed with the illness in 2001 and although lung cancer is most commonly associated with those over the age of 50, Yvonne was in her 40s.

“When I was told the cancer came back, I was angry at first because I wasn’t sure if I could cope. However with the support of my girls and sister I have managed to come through this and still smile.

I’d recommend anyone who thinks they may have symptoms of lung cancer or have any concerns to go to their doctor straight away and get it checked out. Don’t waste time worrying, just go. Maybe if I’d have gone sooner the doctors may have been able to save some of my lung instead of me having it completely removed.”

Following six months of chemotherapy and a recovery period of two years, Yvonne was told she was in remission and since then has been determined to live life to the fullest.

Marina Soya-Bongay explains why it is important not to ignore a persistent cough that has lasted for three weeks or more.

“If you have a cough which lasts for three weeks or more it may be nothing serious, but you should speak to your doctor and avoid self-diagnosis. If your doctor is concerned they will send you for a chest X-ray which is quick and simple and nothing to worry about.

Remember the sooner you are diagnosed the more likely your treatment will be successful. Detecting lung cancer early could save your life and the lives of your loved ones.”

A cough that lasts for three weeks or more is the most common symptom of lung cancer.

Some of the other symptoms include: • A cough that has got worse or changes • Repeated chest infections • Coughing up blood • Breathlessness • Feeling more tired than usual for some time • Losing weight for no obvious reason • An ache or pain in your chest or shoulder that has lasted some time If you notice any of these symptoms, tell your doctor right away. Detecting lung cancer early makes it easier to treat, so seeing your doctor quickly may save your life. It’s probably nothing serious but it could also be a sign of something else that needs treatment.

To find out more about lung cancer visit www.nhs.uk/lungcancer

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Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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Comment

The challenge of sustaining Zambia’s community media

The establishment of community media in various parts of Zambia has allowed Zambians to have a platform to receive and share information relevant to their daily needs, enabling them to discuss and offer solutions to issues of importance to their community.

Community media can be said to be any form of media that is created and controlled by either a geographic community or a community of identity or interest. Community media is important in the promotion of communication for development among the rural communities and the promotion of local content, local voices and local languages and culture. Community media are seen as filling the communication void that had been left behind by the elitist and urban-centred mainstream media.

Today, more than 90 per cent of Zambia’s community media are failing to break even or even to support their basic operational needs. This is due to unfavourable policies, such as the restrictions on advertising for community radio stations stipulated in the broadcast licence. As such, an important medium of communication such as community media requires an enabling policy environment and a model of sustainability that guarantees its independence and effectiveness.

Policy and regulatory framework remains the single most persistent obstacle to sustaining community media. In Zambia, several statutes governing the performance and operation of Zambia’s media do not specifically raise issues relating to the management and organisation of community media in the country.

Petauke Explorers Radio was established in 2003 to promote development and local culture in Petauke District in Zambia’s Eastern Province

The long and expensive radio set-up regulations and procedures, such as the demands by government for a prospective community radio station, almost invariably owned by poor community members, to have K60,000 (£7,000) in its bank account as proof of viability, added to the restrictions on advertising are unfavourable to community media growth and sustainability.

Statutes on the media in Zambia do not provide a clear definition of community media, a situation that shows the need for political will to provide fertile grounds for the development of a sector that is growing at a fast rate and needs government attention and support. Another barrier to community media sustainability is the lack of funding. Funding for community media is

usually derived from the communities they serve through announcements, cultural events and contributions, and the revenue is usually too low to meet the demand. International donors have also been a source of funding and equipment but, when these pull out, community media begin to buckle under the challenge and most of them close down.

There is need for government to consider funding community media through facilities such as the constituency development funds to ensure their sustainability. The authorities should consider extending the reach of community radio stations to encompass more people. There is also need to support the training of community media to effectively communicate using local languages, a move that can effectively involve

communities in the operation of their own media. Community newspapers also need support to improve their presentation and quality. To achieve this, one option would be setting up a printing press that can be shared by community newspapers who often cannot afford the high printing costs.

The Zambia Community Media Forum (ZaCoMeF), an organisation set up as an umbrella body for community media, is working to address these issues under four focus areas, namely networking and mentoring, advocacy and lobbying, applied research and capacity building. Community media offer a platform for marginalised groups such as women, youth, and children, who are given an opportunity to express themselves on development issues through a process of open dialogue.

The Gambia’s road map to the future Monday marked exactly nineteen years since President Yahya Jammeh became leader of The Gambia by deposing his predecessor, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, in a bloodless coup on 22 July 1994.

At the time, few people gave him a chance but, nineteen years on, he has no doubt weathered the storm and learnt a lot on the job.

Since President Jammeh took up the reins in July 1994, there has been tremendous improvement in the social sector. There are more hospitals and health centres now than ever before; just as there has been an explosion of schools all around the country.

For the first time in the country’s history, Gambians are now able to acquire university education on home soil.

The country has over the years seen home-trained medical doctors, trained at the medical school of the University of The Gambia (UTG), pass out. And the UTG has expanded so rapidly as to now have a Law Faculty.

The road network has also improved remarkably. And in the telecommunications 4

Yahya Jammeh

sector, there are now four GSM companies operating successfully in The Gambia.

But transportation is still in a difficult state, especially with the absence of Gambia Public Transport Corporation (GPTC) buses on the road. Critics say they need to come back on the road to ease the mounting transport difficulties faced by commuters day after day.

In the same vein, there is a need for newer ferries to ease the difficulties faced by thousands of people daily in trying to cross between Banjul and Barra.

The government together with Gambia International Airlines (GIA) and the Gambia Civil Aviation Authorities (GCAA) should work out ways of reducing air fares so that prospective travellers do not have to go to Dakar, Senegal, where air fares are generally cheaper.

At the same time, farmers should be made to feel confident that their produce will be bought at the end of the day. This will encourage them to engage more seriously in agricultural production.

At the international level, Gambians need to work hard on relations with other ECOWAS countries, particularly neighbouring Senegal, by opening a dialogue with them to thrash out any misunderstandings.

On the human rights front, the issues are numerous, including the issue of crime suspects being remanded without trial for an unduly long time, which needs to be addressed. The same applies to the matter of people acquitted and discharged by courts

only to be re-arrested and detained.

In the coming years, Gambians would like to see the rule of law given pride of place in the spirit of good governance. In this case, due process must be followed at all times so that human rights are always seen to be respected.

Gambians will be happy to see that no one is detained for more than 72 hours without trial.

Civil servants would also like to see a Gambia where they can belong to the opposition without any fear of losing their jobs.

After 19 years of APRC rule, there is need for greater tolerance and accommodation of those always pejoratively termed as “unpatriotic” simply because they are opposition supporters.

Gambians are also calling for amendments to the laws which adversely affect the operations of the media and work of journalists in The Gambia, such as the recent amendments to the Information and Communications Act, should be repealed without delay. Government should further widen its doors to all the independent press.

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News

South Africa-EU summit concludes in Pretoria The 6th South Africa-European Union Summit ended in Pretoria last week with the leaders of both parties stating that joint programmes in education and training will be necessary to address the shared problem of unemployment.

Amongst the other key issues under discussion were energy, trade, and concerns over political and human rights issues in parts of Africa, chiefly the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe.

In a joint statement issued after the summit, South African President Jacob Zuma, EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said education and training were the key factors towards attaining job creation and economic growth.

“We will continue high level discussions on addressing the shared challenges of youth employment, as well as the way which skills and training can contribute to South Africa’s infrastructure expansion,” read the official communiqué.

“Under the EU financed development programme, approximately R650 million - €50 million [£43 million] - remains available to support job creation initiatives.”

The summit’s declared central theme was “Job Creation through Inward Investment.” Zuma said South Africa continued to face the challenges of unequal wealth and resource distribution, inequality, unemployment and deeply entrenched poverty.

“We are of the firm view that given these realities, the EU should continue its development programmes in South Africa, complementing as they do the work of government within a developmental framework,” said Zuma.

Barroso said the EU was itself still working on the problem of youth unemployment. He said the two sides could benefit through co-operating on the issue.

“I would even say that Europe is South Africa’s natural partner to do it. South Africa is now an emerging economy with different types of needs, so we must adapt our cooperation accordingly,” said Barroso, formerly the Prime Minister of Portugal.

“But certainly, we want to keep development cooperation with South Africa.

This is why I have proposed to focus our future cooperation on job creation, education, skills and innovation and capacity development.”

The summit also saw South Africa and the European Atomic Energy Community sign an agreement of cooperation on 6

Left to right: Herman Van Rompuy, Jacob Zuma and José Manuel Barroso

the use of nuclear energy.

It was claimed that the agreement will see an intensified roll out of rural electrification, with an initial target of 300,000 households in the remote areas of South Africa.

Leaders at the summit also looked at the trade deficit and agreed to encourage growth by remaining committed to “open and transparent” trade rules.

One area of contention was the issue of fruit produce infected by Citrus Black Spot being exported by South Africa into the EU. Barroso said negotiations were ongoing on the issue and claimed he was confident that a mutually beneficial agreement might soon be reached.

South Africa are concerned that the “upgraded surveillance” over the quality of imports might affect the country’s citrus industry, which exports around 100 million cartons to 45 countries. There are fears this might also lead to job losses: the industry currently employs as many as 80,000 workers.

Under discussion also was the October 2014 deadline imposed by the EU for the conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. The EPA gives the SADC countries “preferential market access” for their agricultural products.

“We agreed that the negotiations should conclude shortly,” read the communiqué. “We reaffirmed the importance of reaching an agreement that is mutually beneficial, enhances growth and generates jobs, and supports development and integration in Southern Africa.”

Also on the agenda were the ongoing political and human rights issues in Syria, Egypt, Madagascar and most urgently Zimbabwe, where presidential elections are set to take place on July 31.

Van Rompuy said the EU supported the efforts by the SADC to broker an agreement between the parties in Zimbabwe.

He said the EU will respond to the outcome of the elections after assessing how peacefully, fairly and transparently they were conducted.

“We look forward to normalisation of relations and deepening out partnerships with Zimbabwe,” he added.

Overall, the leaders said that relations between the South Africa and the European Union were “at a mature stage.”

“Our strategic partnership with South Africa is […] an integral part of our special relationship with the African continent,” declared Barroso.

The leaders celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday over an SA-EU cake

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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News

MPs call for review into cost-effectiveness of UK overseas MPs have said that the UK government must make more informed decisions about how taxpayers’ money is spent on international development programmes, in a new report by the Commons International Development Committee, published this week.

The call follows the announcement in last month’s Spending Review that aid will rise significantly in the next few years as the UK finally meets the long-standing UN target to spend 0.7% of gross national income on such programmes.

Last year, the Department for International Development (DFID) spent 42% of its budget via third-party aid organisations.

The government said it had scrupulously assessed the aid groups distributing taxpayers’ money and remained “determined” to get the most out of them.

But MPs in the Commons International Development Committee said DFID should do more to look at whether it was better value to fund more projects directly.

They asked for more concrete “assurance” that money was being well spent.

When the government this year committed itself to reaching the 0.7% target, it decided to hold two reviews of its aid budget, one into bilateral aid, or direct aid donated for specific projects, and the other into multilateral aid which is given to support the work of organisations, such as multilateral development banks, UN agencies and humanitarian groups.

But the Committee said not enough was being done to compare the two, i.e. looking at the cost-effectiveness of giving aid directly to a country through a bilateral arrangement, alongside that of sending aid via a third-party organisation.

The Committee’s chairman, Liberal Democrat MP Sir Malcolm Bruce, said in 35 of 39 cases monitored by the government a value-for-money study had not been completed.

“It is in everybody’s interests for the Government to make informed decisions about aid spending,” he said.

“When the UK provides funding to an international organisation, we need to have some assurance that this is better value for money than the alternative.

“Comparing international organisations’ work with our own, bilateral aid

Sir Malcolm Bruce, chairman of the Commons International Development Committee

programmes is imperative.”

The committee also said more visits should be carried out in countries receiving aid.

Said Sir Malcolm: “In countries where the UK has no bilateral aid programmes of its own, monitoring multilateral organisations is a key challenge for the Government. This is an extremely important issue, and we will return to it in our ongoing inquiry into the Future of UK Development Cooperation.

“With regard to the Government’s first Multilateral Aid Review [MAR], the review team visited just two countries in which the UK had no bilateral aid programmes.

“We accept that country visits are not the only way of gathering evidence. For a number of multilateral organisations, the UK has a seat on the Board, which obviously provides us with some oversight. Nevertheless, we feel strongly that for the next Multilateral Aid Review, the team should undertake more visits to countries in which the UK has no bilateral programmes.”

The MPs also claimed that the Government’s methodology for assessing international organisations “leaves room for improvement.” The report argues that the first MAR failed to adequately distinguish between the different mandates of the international organisations being assessed.

In addition, the report recommends that the next MAR specifically assess multilaterals’ commitment to tackling

violence against women and girls.

“It is impossible to achieve effective development without tackling vio-

lence against women and girls,” said Sir Malcolm.

“We recently conducted an inquiry on the subject, and we feel strongly that the next MAR should assess multilaterals’ commitment to the issue.

“As for the question of comparing organisations with different mandates, we accept that DFID didn’t intend the first MAR to be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, but the fact remains that it was perceived as such in some quarters.

For the next MAR, DFID needs to address this.”

A DFID spokeswoman was quick to defend the current situation, saying: “The multilateral aid review process, introduced by this government, provides a rigorous assessment of the value for money of multilateral agencies and is a model that has been adopted internationally.

“We remain determined to get better value for money and more effective aid from multilateral agencies.”

The government has said it will consider the report and respond in full in due course.

The UK Aid logo, which accompanies all goods sent directly to international development projects funded by the UK taxpayer

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Uganda exports reach new high

Figures released by the Ugandan Export Promotion Board show that Uganda’s exports reached sh5.9 trillion (£1.49 billion) last year, up from sh5.4 trillion (£1.37 billion) in 2011.

Appearing before Uganda’s Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry on Tuesday (July 23) to discuss the tourism and trade ministerial policy statement for financial year 2013/14, Florence Kata said non-traditional exports of mainly maize, rice, sugar and mineral water earned the country sh4.8 trillion (£1.2 billion) in 2012 from sh3.6 trillion (£911m) in 2011.

Kata had appeared to discuss the tourism and trade ministerial policy statement for the 2013/14 financial year. She attributed the growth to a reduction in the informal cross-border trading that is responsible for a large percentage of cereal trading between Uganda and her direct neighbours.

Top Uganda export markets, she said, include France for cotton and oil seeds, Sudan, Congo, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, Tanzania, Rwanda and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) partner states.

Florence Kata is Executive Director of Uganda’s Export Promotions Board

She said the tough economic conditions in Europe took a negative toll on Uganda exports, with exports to Netherlands, Ger-

many, UK, Belgium, Italy and Spain all registering a decline.

COMESA accounted for 46% of Uganda’s exports, while the East African Com-

munity market accounted for 22% of the total export earnings. Nkata, however, said last year registered drops in export values for four important sub-sectors - coffee, fish, cotton and cocoa. She said the four sectors earned US$590.7m in 2012, down from US$678.7m in 2011.

“This drop in traditional exports can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the tough economic conditions in Europe, America and Asia which took a negative toll on the country’s exports,” she told the committee, chaired by Flavia Kabahendo MP. Kata also revealed that Uganda’s traditional exports, including coffee and tea, continue to face tough competition from Vietnam, which has in the last two decades become a major producer of coffee, putting the country out of the pecking order.

She said they will revive the national branding initiative to boost the image of Uganda abroad since the previous attempts by the Government to advertise the country’s resourcefulness and other endowments have been feeble.

“Uganda’s international image has a critical role to play in improving her exportability and to boost exports,” she said.

Ghana Cocoa Board cleared to seek credit

Ghana’s parliament has approved a trade finance facility of US$1.2 billion for the purchase of cocoa beans for the 2013/2014 crop season, following a request by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

The approval gives the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) permission to raise the above-mentioned amount on the international market for the purchase of an estimated 830,000 tonnes of cocoa beans, at a projected cedi/dollar exchange rate of 1.89 to 1. COCOBOD was already in an arrangement between a consortium of several international and local banks for the US$1.2 billion, but needed parliamentary approval before being able to access the facility.

Among the lenders are First Rand Bank Limited, Credit Agricole Corporation and Investment Bank, Nedbank Limited, Tokyo-Mitsubishi UJF, as well as Societe Generale. The offshore syndicated trade finance arrangement is reported to cost COCOBOD US$14.08 million. The House also approved a request to waive stamp duty amounting to US$12 million on the facility to ensure COCOBOD accesses the full credit for cocoa purchases for the 2013/2014 crop season.

However, the approval was not without debate from the minority and majority sides of the House. Though the minority conceded the exercise was good in the interest of the nation, it was furious as to why the request was being made at the 11th hour when the House was going on recess.

Leader of the minority, Osei Kyei-Men8

sah-Bonsu, argued that the report, in part, was ambiguous, and called for further and better particulars to enable the House to scrutinise the deal properly.

For instance, he said, in arriving at the projected figure for the 2013/2014 crop season, “the demand should be premised on the actual,” but that was not fairly represented on the Finance Committee’s report to Parliament regarding the arrangement.

Additionally, since COCOBOD had already indicated that it did not spend all the money raised for the 2012/2013 crop season on purchasing cocoa beans alone, but on others, it would be better for it to furnish Parliament with the breakdown on how the said money was spent. He pleaded with the Speaker to direct the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning to come to the House and answer to the pertinent issues raised on the facility.

The First Deputy Speaker, Ebo BartonOdro, who presided over the sitting, granted the request.

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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British High Commissioner explains visa bond

By Peter Olorunnisomo

Dr. Andrew Pocock, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, recently spoke to clarify the intention of his home government on the controversy surrounding the £3,000 visa bonds for Nigerian applicants to the United Kingdom (UK).

Pocock, who met with the Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Olugbenga Ashiru, on Tuesday, said the visa bond projects was not intended to be what the Nigerian media reported it as.

He pointed out that the British government had “ announced that it intends to undertake a very small scale trial of the use of financial bonds, as a way of tackling abuse in the immigration system - which occurs when some people overstay their visa terms.”

He said “the details of a pilot scheme are still being worked out,” adding that no final decision had been made.

According to him, “if the pilot scheme were to go ahead in Nigeria, it would affect only a very small number of the highest risk visitors.

“The vast majority would not be required

By Peter Olorunnisomo

The Honourable Minister of State for Health, Muhammed Pate, has resigned voluntarily from the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan. The resignation which has since been accepted by the President takes effect from Wednesday. 24th July, 2013

David Cameron

to pay a bond. Those paying bonds would receive the bond back if they abided by the terms of their visa.”

He maintained that the travel between two countries was a key part of strong cultural and business relationship, noting that “financial bonds would be focused on only a tiny minority of potential abusers. It would not be a £3,000 visa charge as some media reporting has alleged.”

The commissioner added that with over 180,000 Nigerians applying to visit the UK each year, about 70 per cent or around 125,000 of the figure were successful.

He assured that “as soon as more details of the policy is decided, we will inform the Nigerian government and public fully and officially, in the spirit of our long standing friendship.”

US gives bomb disposal equipment to Nigeria

By Peter Olorunnisomo

The United States of America is playing a key role in strengthening the capacity of the Nigeria Police personnel to tackle terrorism and other contemporary security challenges in Nigeria as the US Department of State on Tuesday donated Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) remote control robots to the Nigeria Police Force at the FHQ Abuja.

The robots are capable of carrying out safe detonation of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and can demobilize explosives-laden vehicles among others.

While demonstrating the capacity of the robots during a formal presentation of the equipment to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammad Abubakar, a Nigeria Police EOD robot technician stated that the device can locate and defuse suspicious and hazardous explosive items from remote places and is also capable of firing “disrupters” and delivering counter IED charges that can demobilize and render an IED safe.

The IG-P expressed his immense gratitude to the donor on behalf of the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force and promised to put the

Health Minister resigns from Jonathon’s cabinert

Mohammed Abubakar: Insp. General of Police

robots to effective use across the country.

He then called on other wealthy countries/individuals as well as corporate organizations to borrow a leaf from this act of support in supporting the Police and other security agencies in the country to fight against crime. He pointed out that the task of securing our country is a collective responsibility and not that of the Government alone.

Stressing his determination to making Nigeria a safe and peaceful country as best as he can, the Inspector-General charged officers and men of the Force

particularly those in EOD unit to take advantage of these equipment just donated and others recently acquired by the Force in delivering on their mandate of making Nigeria a crime and explosives-free nation Meanwhile, the US Department of State, through the US anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) Programme, has successfully trained a number of Nigeria Police personnel attached to the anti-Bomb Unit of the Force in modern Bomb disposal techniques and Explosives investigation courses.

Giving reasons for his resignation, the minister said he was leaving the cabinet to take up the Professorial appointment at Duke University’s Global Health Institute, in the United States of America.

He stated that in this new capacity, he would participate in a university-wide Africa initiative and will also serve as Senior Adviser to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation based in Washington DC. Mr. Pate however offered his services on part-time basis as the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication and the public-private coalition for the Saving One Million Lives Initiative. A position which he held as Minister of State for Health.

“As we have discussed, I wish to offer the continuation of my service on part-time basis as chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication and the public-private coalition for Saving One Million Lives Initiative, if you agree, in fulfilment of my previous commitments to see to conclusion of these important national priorities. This may entail an honorary advisory role reporting directly to you progress at least on quarterly basis,” he wrote.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati stated that in accepting the minister’s resignation, the President was elated that his star-studded cabinet was attracting required global attention.

According to him, the President saw this appointment as a plus for the administration and the country.

Mr. Abati said President Jonathan commended Pate for the integrity and competence he brought on board while carrying out his duties first as the Chief Executive of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and later as a minister.

“The minister’s new commitment is seen by the President and his cabinet as a good news. It is a further proof that this cabinet is full of stars.

“The cabinet is full of very distinguished men and women; people with not only national but also international recognition.

“The President congratulated the minister and accepted his offer to continue to serve on a part-time basis as honourary adviser.

“It is a positive development that we have people who are recognised globally. Pate has served this country for five years, first as the Chief Executive of NHPDH and later Minister of State, Health. His work is appreciated worldwide. His appointment a plus for the administration and the country,” Mr. Abati said.

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Aregbesola inaugurates governing councils of Osun tertiary institutions

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun on Monday in Osogbo inaugurated the new governing councils of the state’s tertiary institutions with a pledge to turn around the education sector.

In an address at the occasion, Mr. Aregbesola said the cardinal objective of his administration was to provide quality education to all students, adding that the institutions would be encouraged to shape the minds of the future leaders in the right direction.

He noted that education remained the greatest key to human development and therefore the best legacy any leader could bequeath on further generations.

“The world is now a global village and nobody knows where a student can find himself tomorrow; all hands must be on deck to make sure students go in the right direction as they pursue their careers,’’ he said.

Mr. Aregbesola urged members of the councils to develop new strategies to raise funds for the development of the various institutions.

Earlier, Titi Laoye-Tomori, the deputy governor, who also doubles as the Commissioner for Education, urged the councils to raise the standard of education in the state.

She noted that to meet the objective, the right people had been appointed by the state government to steer the ship of the institutions. She said she hoped to make polytechnics and colleges of education achieve the purpose for which they were established.

Responding, the Chairman, Governing Council State College of Technology, Esa Oke, Prof. Lai Fagbenle, expressed satisfaction with the calibre of the council members, adding that they would live up to expectations.

Also inaugurated were Olutumbi Maduka, Chairman State Polytechnic Iree; and Niyi Adedeji, Chairman State College of Education, Ilesa.

Others were Niyi Akande, Chairman state College of Education Ila-Orangun, as well as members of the governing councils.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

L-R Secretary to the State Government, State of Osun, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Otunba Titi-Laoye Tomori, Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Speaker, House of Assembly, State of Osun, Hon. Najeem Salam and the Chief Judge, State of Osun, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo during the inauguration of the new Chairmen and Members of the Governing Councils of the State owned Tertiary Institutions at the State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo

Photos: Taofeeq Adejare

Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (3rd right); his Deputy, Mrs Titi LaoyeTomori (2nd left); Chairman Management Board, Sheikh Alli Aregbesola Medical Centre, Prince Felix Awofisayo (2nd right) and others, during 2013 Baby Show of the Medical Centre at Irogbo-Ijesa the State of Osun

One of the affected buildings during the official demolition of illegal structures that contravened law in the way of the Urban Renewal/Rehabilitation projects of the Government of the State of Osun in Gbongan/Ibadan Road, Osogbo

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China

Earthquakes devastate Gansu province

Iraq

Al-Qaeda claims prison breakout of 500

Abu Ghraib prison, where one of the two breakouts took place

A wrecked highway in Gansu, where deadly mudslides are now a major threat

Two earthquakes hit China’s western Gansu province this week, leaving at least 100 dead and over 800 severely injured, while 9,000 buildings were completely destroyed and tens of thousands more badly damaged, at least according to official statereleased figures.

The quakes hit eight towns in the remote and mountainous Minxian and Zhangxian counties, about 105 miles southeast of the provincial capital of Lanzhou, from 7:45 a.m. on Monday 22nd July. Chinese authorities reported the first earthquake was of a magnitude of 6.6 , and that by Monday evening 422 aftershocks had been recorded, with the strongest measuring 5.6 in magnitude – effectively a second earthquake.

Li Jingui, a student in Dingxi, told AP news agency of the moment she felt the earthquake: “I saw the bulb hanging from the ceiling start swinging wildly around. I woke my two friends and we ran into the bathroom to hide.”

“After the strongest tremors were over, we were worried that there would be after-

shocks so we packed our stuff and ran out into a large clearing,” she added.

“I know I had a lucky escape,” 18-yearold Yang Su Xiao told Agence-France Presse news agency. “I am glad we are all not injured, but we don’t know how we are going to repair the damage.”

Photos posted on Chinese social media showed roads on the sides of riverbanks had subsided and farmhouses reduced to piles of red bricks. There were also power outages and mobile phone and Internet coverage was disrupted.

Xinhua, China’s official news agency, say around 3,000 police and rescue personnel have been sent to the affected region, though landslides and flooding have hindered their efforts. As much of the mud is made of loess, a fine yellow sandy silt, the chance of finding survivors under the landslides is considered slim.

Western China has been no stranger to devastating tectonic activity in recent years. An earthquake hit the neighbouring province of Sichuan this April, killing 164 people and injuring more than 6,700. That same area was also home to the enormous Wenchuan earthquake of 2008, measuring 7.9 and killing a staggering 70,000 people.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which was formed earlier this year through a merger between al-Qaeda’s affiliates in Syria and Iraq, said it had carried out the attacks on Abu Ghraib and Taji jails near Baghdad, having spent “months planning.”

Abu Ghraib had previously come to notoriety as a political torture centre under the Hussein regime, and, later, the site of numerous abuses of Iraqi detainees by the US military.

The attacks came exactly a year after the leader of al-Qaeda’s Iraqi branch, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, announced that freeing its imprisoned members would be its new top priority, through a campaign dubbed “Breaking the Walls.”

“In response to the call of the mujahid Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to seal the blessed plan of “Breaking the

The US Navy said their bombs had “minimal environmental impact”

coast of Queensland state.

Australian Green Party Senator Larissa Waters described the dumping of bombs in such an environmentally sensitive area as “outrageous.”

“Have we gone completely mad?” she told US network ABC. “Is this how we look after our World Heritage area now? Letting a foreign power drop bombs on it?”

Commander William Marks of the US Seventh Fleet assured that “there is minimal environmental impact… It is a safe situation for the environment, for shipping, for navigation.”

Great Barrier Reef bombed by US

Two US fighter jets last week dropped four bombs onto the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia, in a training exercise that went wrong, the US Navy has admitted.

The incident happened during a training exercise involving both US and Australian military personnel.

The two AV-8B Harrier jets launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard each jettisoned an inert practice bomb and an unarmed laserguided explosive bomb into the UNESCO World Heritage-listed marine park off the

Al-Qaeda has said it was responsible for two simultaneous prison breakouts in Iraq on Monday 22 July, claiming that as many as 500 inmates had been set free.

The statement was posted on a militant website the following day.

Walls”... the mujahideen brigades set off after months of preparation and planning to target two of the biggest prisons of the Safavid government,” read this week’s statement, “Safavid” being a derogatory term for Shi’ite Muslims used by hardline Sunnis, referring to a dynasty that ruled Iraq from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Sunni Islamist militants have in recent months been regaining momentum in their insurgency against Iraq’s Shi’iteled government, which came to power after the US-led invasion.

The fighting at the jails began at night and endured for several hours. The situation was at last brought under control in the later hours of Monday morning with the intervention of a military helicopter.

“The attack against Taji jail alone was carried out by nine suicide bombers and three car bombs driven by suicide bombers,” Interior Minister Wissam al-Firaiji told reporters.

“The attackers also lobbed more than 100 mortar shells,” he added.

Iraqi authorities initially denied any prisoners had escaped in the assaults, but later admitted that “some” prisoners had escaped.

Australia The US Navy said it would be willing to recover the bombs from the seabed.

“If the [Great Barrier Reef] park service and the government agencies of Australia determine that they want those recovered, then we will coordinate with them on that recovery process,” said Seventh Fleet spokesman Lieutenant David Levy.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, covering approximately 133,000 square miles, and is home to 400 types of coral and 1,500 species of fish.

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News

Relief organisation sets out to stop traffic It’s estimated that anywhere from 12 million to 27 million people around the world are victims of human trafficking. Humanitarian agencies say human trafficking is a $32billion per year industry.

Sierra Leone is one of the many countries where it takes place.

World Hope International operates the Trafficking in Persons Recovery Centre in Sierra Leone. It describes it as a holistic, high-trauma aftercare facility. WHI Vice-President of Programs John Lyon said that traffickers lure people by making false promises of jobs or a better life.

“In Sierra Leone, what we’re finding is two principle forms of trafficking – particularly in the labour trafficking area, as well as sex trafficking. It’s hard to put numbers around it. Every country in the world has problems finding highly accurate numbers of what actually is the scope of this problem,” he said.

Before you can treat victims of human trafficking, you have to find them.

“We had a case in northern Sierra Leone where a smaller mining firm got young kids to work in this mine. They were burrowing under the earth and some of the kids were actually killed in the mine. The kids were trafficked. They weren’t paid reasonable wages. Our program helped identify that case and brought it to the attention of the local authorities and helped prosecute the case with the Ministry of Mines, as well as with police,” he said.

Human trafficking not only comes by land, but by sea.

“We’ve also seen cases involving foreign fishing firms that come in and traffic girls to their ships for purposes of sex.

We had one specific case just outside of Freetown where a foreign shipping firm kept docking near the village where we’d been working. And these girls would go to these ships. It came to light that the guys on the ship would come to shore and they’d say, you know, come over to the ship. We can get you a job. We can get you a better life. But what turned out was that they were just using these girls for sex.”

Lyon said the fishing vessel actually raised anchor and set to sea with several girls on board. WHI reported its findings to local authorities, who intercepted the ship and rescued the girls.

World Hope International has set up 58 parent groups in the country that watch out for possible human trafficking.

Lyon said, “In Sierra Leone, the local villages are really the structure that you need to work through to really accomplish any kind of large-scale goal. And so in these 58 villages, we’ve worked with the villagers to help educate and sensitize

the villagers as to what human trafficking looks like. What does a human trafficker do when he wants to traffic somebody?

Then once that’s been identified in a village they’ll report that to police or other NGOs or the Ministry of Social Welfare.

So there’s that referral network that we’ve helped develop.”

The parent groups have helped identify

a number of criminal activities, not just trafficking.

Once children or adults are freed from or escape from traffickers, Lyon said, they need help healing and reintegrating.

“We’ll provide treatment for the victim, education, health treatment, as well as mental health treatment. What makes our program very unique in Sierra Leone is that we don’t have a limit to how long that client can stay in our treatment facility. The client can stay as long as it takes for them to be treated and reintegrated into their community.”

Reintegration includes regular meetings by WHI staff with the children and their parents – ongoing monitoring to make sure they haven’t fallen victim to traffickers again – and possible jobs.

The US State Department recently upgraded Sierra Leone’s status in its annual Trafficking in Persons report. Lyons says it’s an indication that WHI programs and similar efforts are having a positive effect.

This WHI mural in a Makeni slum highlights the issue of people trafficking

Troops fill in as base camp workers down tools US Troops have been asked to help with base maintenance as some 600 Djiboutians continue to strike at US military hub, Camp Lemonnier, in connection with a contract dispute with the firm KBR, which had plans for a work force reduction, according to the Navy.

“On occasion, servicemen are used to perform tasks covered by contracts,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rob Johnson, a Navy spokesman. “The services performed by military members are being tracked and the contract includes provisions to take deductions for services not provided, which are required by the contract. The contract continues to be monitored for non-performance.”` In June, KBR took over responsibility for base support services at Lemonnier from another contractor. The $35 million contract awarded to KBR cost the military roughly half the amount of the old contract.

The new contract also has a provision that allows the military to deduct costs if KBR is unable to carry out all the services it haspromised, Johnson said.

12

“On one occasion, 24 military personnel augmented the galley staff to provide food service attendant functions for approximately two hours on July 5,” he said. “We

tracked the hours of military augmented support and the invoice to KBR will be reduced accordingly.”

Local workers, upset over KBR’s plan to

Camp Lemonnier is the sole permanent base for US and allied military in Africa

cut support staff from 1,000 to 600, have been staging daily demonstrations outside the base since late June. Roughly 97 local and third-country staffers operating under a separate contract continue to work at Lemonnier. Johnson said the protests are focused on the workers’ dispute with KBR and that the demonstrators are not opposed to the US military mission.

Last week, KBR stated that it was working closely with Djibouti labour and foreign affairs officials to resolve the labour dispute.

Camp Lemonnier supports roughly 4,000 US and allied military and civilian personnel along with about 1,100 local and third country nationals, according to the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Web site.

The camp, the US military’s only official and permanent base in Africa, serves as the headquarters of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, which is focused on countering violent extremists in Somalia and around the Horn of Africa.

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News

South Africa can extradite honeymoon hit suspect The Bristol businessman accused of arranging his wife’s murder on the couple’s honeymoon in 2010 has lost his appeal against extradition to South Africa.

Millionaire Shrien Dewani and his new Swedish-born bride Anni were travelling in a taxi in Gugulethu township, near Cape Town, when it was hijacked. Dewani and the taxi driver were ejected from the car before Anni was driven away and killed. The 28-year-old’s body was found in the back of the abandoned taxi with a bullet wound to the neck.

Zola Robert Tongo, the taxi driver was later convicted for his part in the plot and, in a plea bargain, implicated Dewani, who, he alleged, paid him R15,000 to arrange the murder. Tongo was sentenced to 18 years in jail in 2010. Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni, accomplices allegedly hired by Tongo, were convicted in 2012 of premeditated murder for shooting Mrs Dewani, receiving jail terms of 25 years and

life, respectively.

Shrien Dewani has strenuously denied Tongo’s claim and has been fighting extradition on the grounds of ill-health caused by depression.

A judge at Westminster Magistrates’ Court decided that it would not be “unjust or oppressive” to extradite the 33-year-old.

Dewani’s lawyers now have 14 days to appeal against the order.

Dewani had been excused from appearing in court, having been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression and has been receiving treatment at a hospital near his home city. Doctors told the court that his risk of suicide is real but not immediate, and while he remains moderately depressed he is better than he was.

His lawyers have expressed concerns he would be a high suicide risk if he returned to the country, and his human rights could be breached because of the risk of violent and sexual assaults in jail.

Shrien and Anni Dewani

Morocco ministers step down- Gebreselassie says I’ll run again . . . for presidency camp workers down tools Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has accepted the resignations of cabinet ministers from a political party that quit the Islamist-led government as talks are under way to find a replacement.

A statement from the palace on Monday night (July 22) said the king had accepted the resignations of five ministers from the Istiqlal (Independence) Party but urged them to remain in their posts while Islamist Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane searched for a new partner.

The Istiqlal Party pulled out of the government on July 9, citing the Islamists’ high handed governing style and attempts to reform the ballooning fuel and food subsidies bill. The announcement came as Benkirane was meeting with the National Rally for Independents

Abdelilah Benkirane’s Justice and Development Party formed a coalition following Morocco’s 2011 parliamentary election

Record numbers exhibit at 30th Angola trade fair The 30th Luanda International Fair (FILDA) ended on Sunday, hosting a record number of participating companies – over 1,000 – and serving to promote and attract investments in Angola as well as the country’s macroeconomic situation.

Similar to the last three years, the fair ended with an exhibitor satisfaction rating of around 90 percent, according to figures provided by the event’s organiser, Luanda International Fair (FIL).

As well as the usual business contacts establish-

ing partnerships and exchanging ideas between exhibitors and visitors, FILDA 2013 was notable for the high take up rate of spaces, even requiring a 400 square metre tent to supplement the available space.

The Port of Luanda company was considered one of the best exhibitors at the this year’s event, winning 15 awards. The company was awarded the “Golden Lion” trophy in the categories of “Best Participation and Equipment,” “Best Participation by Public Entities and Companies,” and “Best Participation at FILDA 2013”.

Ethiopia’s legendary distance runner, Haile Gebreselassie, has recently declared that he intends to contest the 2015 national election as an independent candidate.

Now 40 and still occasionally running competitively, despite announcing his retirement in 2010, Gebreselassie told Associated Press that he wants to “reach more people through politics.” He added: “The big mistake would be to stay out of politics and miss the chance to do something to help. We are here in our country, Ethiopia; and as long as we live here, we should play our part. We have to sort (out) any problems we have.”

The four-time World Champion and two-time Olympic champion over 10,000 metres also stressed in an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV), that he specifically wants to be a president of Ethiopia.

Haile Gebreselassie lending his support for London’s ultimately successful bid for the 2017 World Athletics Championships

Televisão Pública de Angola featured extensive coverage of FILDA 2013

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CRIME

Man jailed for assault on bus driver, Finchley

James Mckenzie

A man has been sentenced to four years imprisonment after viciously assaulting a bus driver.

James McKenzie, of Barnet was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to four years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent.

This conviction was the result of a successful and proactive investigation by the Metropolitan Police Safer Transport Command (STC) which is funded by Transport for London.

McKenzie came to the attention of the STC’s Workplace Violence Unit (WVU) after his unprovoked assault on the driver

on 14 October 2012 following a fare dispute. He had been travelling on a 134 bus and at the end of the route in Finchley got out and waited for the driver to leave his cab.

Once the driver had done so he approached him and then continuously punched and kicked him fracturing his eye socket. During the attack the suspect was accompanied by another male.

The WVU launched an investigation and McKenzie and the other male both handed themselves in to police on the 22 November 2012 as a result of an appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch. McKenzie was arrested and charged and the accompanying male was later released without charge.

Superintendent Rob Revill, Safer Transport Command, said: “The Workplace Violence Unit is dedicated to investigating assaults on London’s bus staff. This was a particularly vicious assault on a bus driver who was just doing his job. I am pleased that the professional and thorough investigation has resulted in the suspect pleading guilty.

“Assaults against London’s bus staff will not be tolerated and with CCTV on all of London’s buses to aid us in our investigations we can catch those responsible for these offences.”

Detectives appeal a year on from murder

The victim Pamela Wheeler

Detectives are re-appealing for information regarding the murder of pensioner Pamela Wheeler in Thamesmead.

A reward of up to £20,000 is being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the murder of Mrs Wheeler.

Police were called at 18:25hrs on 22 July 2012, after Mrs Wheeler, 76 (9.04.36), was found collapsed and bound at her home in Newacres Road, Thamesmead. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was found with her wrists and ankles tied. A post-mortem examination was held at Greenwich Mortuary on 24 July 2012. Cause of death was as established as suffocation and a head injury.

An inquest was opened and adjourned at Southwark Coroner’s Court on 14 August 2012.

The last confirmed sighting of Mrs Wheeler is now believed to be on 9 July 2012 when she was shopping in a local Morrisons.

Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command (HSCC), said: “It has been a year since Pam was killed. This investigation remains open and I am keen to speak with anyone who has yet to come forward to police with any information that may assist our enquiries.

“Pam was attacked in her own home, and I am certain that someone has information that will assist us in bringing the perpetrator of this horrific and violent death to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room at Lewisham on 020 8721 4805; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Detectives had previously appealed for information regarding two men who had been seen nearby on Newacres Road. They have since been discounted.

Cocaine worth £2.7m recovered

Cocaine recovered by police

Cocaine with a street value of £2.7million and around £50,000 in cash has been recovered after detectives disrupted a organised drugs ring last night.

In a pre-planned operation, officers from the Met and SOCA’s (Serious and Organised Crime) Middle Market Drugs Partnership along with the ANPR Intercept Team stopped a silver BMW on the North Circular near the Waterworks roundabout at Woodford Road at 18:00hrs.

They had earlier witnessed suspicious 14

activity involving the vehicle in New Barn Street E13.

Officers spent an hour pain-stakingly searching the car with the help of a drugs sniffer dog and found drugs concealed in a sophisticated hidden compartment.

Seven blocks of what is believed to be cocaine were recovered.

One of the two male occupants of the vehicle had a key in his possession for a Mercedes car.

Officers located the vehicle in Ecclesbourne Close N13 and found a blue plastic bag in the boot stuffed full of £50 notes, estimated to amount to £50,000 in total.

Two linked address were searched - at

Jutland Road E13 two further blocks of what is likely to be cocaine were recovered and at Linkside Gardens, Enfield, a hydraulic cocaine press and a money counting machine were found.

The weight of the cocaine recovered is up to 12kg.

One of the three male occupants of the Linkside Gardens address had the key to a Ford Focus. Inside that vehicle was found a large brown-wrapped package of drugs.

Again, it has yet to analysed but is thought to be cannabis.

Detective Inspector Steve Miles, who led the operation from the Met’s Serious and Organised Crime Command (SCO7), said: “There is no doubt we have uncovered a highly sophisticated crime network involved in the distribution of drugs and money-laundering on a large scale.

“We will continue our efforts to disrupt similar networks to take drugs off the streets of London.”

The two male occupants of the car were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs, being concerned in the supply of drugs and money laundering.

The three men at the address in Linkside Gardens [C - 29, D - 24, E - 31] were arrested on suspicion of drugs trafficking

offences.

All remain in custody at an east London police station at this stage.

The Middle Market Drugs Partnership is an equal partnership project between the Met’s Serious and Organised Crime Command (SCO7) and the SOCA.

Man wanted on recall to prison Police in Lambeth are asking members of the public to assist them in tracing a man who is wanted on recall to prison.

Christopher Edwards, alias Christopher Foster, 35 (8.1.1978), needs to be returned to prison as he has failed to comply with his licence conditions. He was originally sentenced for supplying a controlled drug, heroin.

Edwards was born in Jamaica and has a West Indian accent. He is described as 5ft 8ins tall, large build.

PC Gemma Frost is investigating the case and asks the public to come forward with any information that may help on 020 8649 3441 or by email: gemma. frost@met.police.uk Alternatively you can pass information anonymously to the police by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Sounds of Diaspora People of America Toots’ withdrawal leads festival promoter to Scratch

Perry, an innovator throughout his career, was one of the early Jamaican pioneers of Dub and electronic effects

To some he is a genius, to others a madman or an eccentric. Perhaps he is all of the above, but there are few dissenters to the claim he is not only one of the greatest reggae producers of all time – he is one of the greatest record producers full stop.

The organisers of this year’s WOMAD (World Of Music And Dance) festival have managed to pull out the stops by replacing reggae legend ‘Toots’ Hibbert with another, in the form of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.

The veteran Grammy-winning producer/ songwriter/performer will now grace the annual world music celebration at Charlton Park near Malmesbury, following the withdrawal through injury of the Toots and the Maytals front man.

Dub pioneer Perry, who produced some of The Wailers’ finest work before Bob Marley’s split from Peter Tosh and ‘Bunny’ Livingston, will appear at the four-day event from Thursday, July 25 to Sunday, July 28.

Perry’s incomparable track record includes a string of timeless Jamaican gems cut during the genre’s purple period from the mid-Sixties to the Late-Seventies, including his own Return of the Django (as The Upsetters) and Junior Murvin’s Police and Thieves.

Perry-produced albums, such as George Faith’s To Be a Lover and his own Super Ape are today rightly held as absolute as pinnacles of the genre. Many consider The Wailers’ Perry-produced album, African Herbsman, – including original versions of Trench Town Rock, Lively up Yourself and Small Axe – as the group’s best work.

Now 77 and based in Switzerland, the enigmatic Perry continues to tour and record.

He will be accompanied at WOMAD by veteran singer Max Romeo, for whom Perry produced the classic War Ina Babylon album, containing not only the superb title track but also the ever-magnificent Chase the Devil. Romeo is also responsible for the infamous Wet Dream, a Top Ten UK hit in the Sixties and one of the first songs ever banned by the ‘decency police’ at the BBC – thus ensuring its success.

Scratch and Romeo have been touring Europe together and have manage to squeeze in the gig at WOMAD, a 30 to 40 minute drive from Swindon, after heeding the organisers’ call. Festival director Chris Smith said: “We are delighted to be able to host two of the greatest reggae legends within this already exciting and unique line-up.

“I am positive they will be a highlight of the festival and the WOMAD audience will have them on their must-see list.”

Other highlights this year include; Malian star Rokia Traoré, the world-famous Gilberto Gil, the extraordinary Mokoomba from Victoria Falls, everyone’s favourite Afrocentric hip-hoppers Arrested Development, the irrepressible ska, punk, jazz and swing duo from France, Babylon Circus, and with their very own brand of Afrobeat, Nigerian’s Seun Kuti, son of the Fela and his band Egypt 80.

Lee turns to fans to fund next movie

Spike Lee

Independent film director Spike Lee is appealing directly to his fans to fund his next movie, in a move inspired by the successes of Rob Thomas and Zach Braff.

The Oscar-nominated director has launched a Kickstarter campaign in search of $1.25 million to finance a mystery project, explaining that the film industry has turned away from the sort of movies that he has made for nearly 30 years.

“With the current climate in the Hollywood studio system, it’s not an encouraging look for independent filmmakers,” he wrote, explaining his reasoning for starting the campaign. “I’m not hating,” he added, “just stating the facts.

Super heroes, comic books, 3D special effects, blowing up the planet nine times and fly through the air while transforming is not my thang. To me it’s not just that these films are being made but it seems like these are the only films getting made. To the studios it seems like every film must be a home run on a global scale, a tent pole enterprise, able to spin off sequel after sequel after sequel after sequel after sequel after sequel.”

Lee, whose film credits include Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever and Malcolm X, teased that the new film’s story was about “Human beings who are addicted to blood. Funny, sexy, and bloody (and it’s not “Blacula”).”

After 2012’s Red Hook Summer, which earned mixed reviews from critics, Lee directed the upcoming remake of the Korean horror film Oldbo, The movie, which stars Josh Brolin, had a creepy marketing presence at this weekend’s Comic-Con. His last several films have been less-than-successful; Red Hook Summer earned just $340,000 at the box office, while 2008’s Miracle at St. Anna, a movie set in World War II, made just $7 million on a $45 million budget.

Lee is offering a long list of prizes to donors, ranging from a thank you tweet and updates on the production from Lee himself (to $5 donors), all the way up to an evening spent eating dinner and watching the Knicks from Lee’s courtside seats at Madison Square Garden (that’ll cost you $10,000). A $5,000 donation, meanwhile, earns you an Associate Producer credit on the movie.

Rob Thomas’ Veronica Mars, which attracted pledges totalling $5.7m from 91,500 donors, and Zach Braff’s movie, Wish I Was Here ($3.1m from 46,000 donors) both had a plot outlined at the outset of their respective Kickstarter campaigns, but Lee has offered donors no plot or premise to his proposed movie, other than the mysterious “addicted to blood” hint.

Kickstarter is a web-based resource for filmmakers, musicians, artists and designers to raise money to fund projects. If people like a project, they can pledge money to help make it happen. Funding on Kickstarter is all-or-nothing — projects must reach their funding goals to receive any money. In essence, it is TV’s Dragon’s Den for the Web, with the Dragons being anyone who wants to support a project. To date, an impressive 44% of projects have reached their funding goals.

Stars launch Florida boycott following Trayvon verdict

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder heads a list of musicians that are staging a boycott against Trayvon Martin’s home state of Florida, in protest against the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the neighbourhood watch patroller who shot and killed the teenager.

“I decided today that until the Stand Your Ground law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again,” Wonder said during a concert in Quebec City, Canada. “As a matter of fact, wherever I find that law exists, I will not perform in that state or in that part of the world.”

The Stand Your Ground Law, which justifies the use of lethal force in self-defence

before attempting to retreat, was not invoked

by Zimmerman’s defence team, but it is argued that its explicit mention in the jury instructions influenced the trial’s outcome. One juror mentioned the law in her explanation of the not guilty verdict and it certainly played a part in the decision of the police not to arrest Zimmerman immediately.

Before alleviating the tone with a call for celebration, the Grammy-winning singer added: “The truth is that — for those of you who’ve lost in the battle for justice, wherever that fits in any part of the world — we can’t bring them back. What we can do is we can let our voices be heard. And we can vote in our various countries throughout the world for change and equality for everybody. That’s what I know we can do.”

At least 23 other US states have provisions similar to or the same as Florida’s Stand Your Ground, providing varying degrees of legal protection to those who use force in perceived self-defence.

Wonder joins a growing list of celebrities speaking out against the verdict, including Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, Usher, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Jay Z and Beyoncé.

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Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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Gospel

IT IS TIME FOR ACTION!

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and this entire people, to the land which I am giving to them— the children of Israel . Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” (Josh 1:1-3

By Michael Adekoya Dear Reader, you’ll agree with me that change is scary—especially in a time of economic crisis facing us today. But, change is what we need now! When I read Joshua’s story deeply I am encouraged to take the risks necessary to claim my spiritual inheritance and walk in the supernatural.

Listen! God is calling many of us today to shift from the wilderness to the Promised Land.

Christians who have grown uncomfortable with the status quo are now contemplating big moves.

Likewise, genuine church leaders have now sensed a new stirring to grow their churches and influence our secularized culture. People are now on a mission to be selfless and be contributors to their respective community, be a blessing to their generation and be City Changers.

Are you one of them!

My friend, as your desire to impact the world grows, I hear Lord challenging you to take bold steps of faith in 2010. If you want to see big victories in your personal life, in your family, in your church, in your ministry, in your business, career and service in this New Year, consider the path that Joshua and his people took: First, you must swallow your fears. When it was time to enter Canaan, God had to find a fearless leader. He told Joshua: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!” Josh 1:9. My friend, how would you measure your faith level as you step into 2010? Are you dismayed about your finances or worried about your health? Are you crippled by insecurities? The devil waged psychological warfare against God’s people in past years with news of global recession, political uncertainty and the threat of terrorism. Many believers grew anxious, timid and confused.

There is no magic pill to relieve

us from fear’s torment. We simply must resist it. We must counter-attack it by confessing God’s Word.

When fear says, “God will not provide,” we must respond by saying, “My God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory.”

When fear says, “You will fail,” we must respond by declaring, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Second, you should put on your full armour this year and fight for what belongs to you – fight for your family, community and nation in spiritual warfare prayers.

Listen! When it was time to cross the Jordan, Joshua commanded the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh to dress in battle clothes (even though, since their inheritance was on the eastern side of Canaan, this was technically not their battle). Today, too many of us have excused ourselves from the battle for our family, community, city and nation because we don’t think it is ours to fight. Yet 2010 is not a year to sit on the sidelines. It will not be an easy season, but those who are battle-ready will endure and conquer. You must bathe this year with prayer and praise. Prayerless Christians will not overcome the assaults that are headed our way.

Get ruthless with your schedule, even if you must forfeit a movie, a TV show or an extra hour of sleep to spend time with God. Third, you need to set ambitious goals this year. What Joshua set out to do in Canaan was impossible, considering Israel’s limited military capabilities. Yet, God commanded him to seize Jericho.

In obedience, Joshua sent spies into the city, and they learned that the inhabitants were actually afraid of them (Josh 2:9-11). Joshua’s perception of reality changed when he saw the situation through God’s eyes. My friend, how many

Are you looking for a church? ­­

Not settled in any particular congregation?

Perhaps now is the time to pray about it If you are not yet saved try one of the following: Jubilee International Churchmeets at 2,30pm on Sundays at Kings Avenue, school, park hill. London SW4. Part of Jubilee International Churches worldwide. For information, you may call (020)8697 3354 New Wine Christian Church- 11am holds meeting at Ringcross Tennants club, Lough Road, Holloway, N7. a member of the Icthus fellowship

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worldwide. For more information call 020 7609 959 or 07957 757 663.

Praise Tabernacle- 10:30am holds meetings at 620 Western Avenue (A40), park royal Business centre, opposite Warner Bros. Cinema Complex, W3. part of The Redeemed Christian Church of God. For information you may call 020 8993 3010 New Life Christian Centre 10.30am & 6.00pm. meetings at Cairo New Road, Croydon. The church has

times have you dismissed a dream because it seemed too big? How many years have you set aside that dream of starting a ministry, a business, a new career or a new relationship? In Joshua’s case, he stopped going in circles in the wilderness and instead led God’s people to circle Jericho —and the impenetrable walls fell flat! In 2010, find out what God’s big goals are for you and zero in on them.

Fourth, you should step in the water this year. The Jordan was overflowing its banks when God told Israel to cross it. They did not wait until the water level went down (read Josh 3:14-17). In obedience to the Lord, the priests stepped into the water first. Then, after they planted their feet in the rushing current, a miracle occurred and the river stopped flowing. My friend, sometimes we find ourselves waiting for God to remove our obstacles when He is actually waiting for us to take a step of faith. Don’t be the real barrier to fulfilling your divine assignment.

You may feel powerless to stop the river, but you must get your feet wet. Once you start moving in the right direction, I can testify that God will bring the breakthrough, healing, connection, victory, prosperity, restoration, success and blessing! Obedience to God’s command is the key this year.

Next, you must consecrate yourself anew this year. Before Israel could take Jericho, God required from them a renewal of His covenant (read Josh 5:2-4). Every man who had not been circumcised during the wilderness journey was admitted to surgery! My friend, we too have been scheduled for an operation this year—on our hearts.

Many of us are not ready for the challenges of 2010. We need to set aside time for evaluation, reflection, course correction and discipline. We must root out sinful

habits, adjust bad attitudes, repent of unforgiveness and destroy idols that have stolen our affections for God. One excellent way to do this is with fasting. From the beginning of January this year, many Christians have set aside the first 21 or 40 days for fasting and prayers.

My friend, I encourage you to join them with this discipline. It is never too late.

Next, you should expect new provision this year. After Israel crossed the Jordan River their entire economy changed. They had relied on manna from heaven for their daily food, but when they stepped into Canaan they began to eat the produce of the land—and the manna ceased (read Josh 5:12).

They shifted from scanty daily rations to overflowing abundance.

My friend, we can wander in the wilderness so long that we grow accustomed to a hand-to-mouth existence. If this is where you are now, I say “Enough is Enough!”

Don’t let your faith shrinks with your limited expectations. The same God who carried you through the lean times also wants to give you wealth and riches so that you can carry out His kingdom work.

Listen! In this season of economic upheaval, don’t adopt a poverty mentality. Your heavenly Father wants to entrust you with His

a bible school, primary, is involved in extensive mission work in Eastern Europe, Italy and India. For information you may call 020 8680 7671 Ruach Ministries - holds meeting at 9am, 11am and 6pm. For information you may call 020 8678 6888 International Central Gospel church - Battersea chapel, holds meetings on Sundays from 2.00pm. . For information you may call 020 8684 4934 Jesus Arena International- Sunday service at 11.00am at Broadwater farm centre, Adams road N17 The Bible Life Church UK- They meet on Sunday mornings at 2.30pm at St Giles Centre, Camberwell

Church Street, London SE5 Christ Apostolic church (Full Gospel & Pentecostal) Surrey Docks District 163 Ilderton Rd South Bermondsey London SE16 2UT. Tel. 020 7252 2086.

Time of worship: Sunday English service 9- 11.30am. Yoruba service 11.30 -2.30pm. Prophetic counselling: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 12noon- 5pm, Saturday only 5- 7pm.

Holy Cross Church InternationalSunday 10.am- 1 pm at Crown House 71-73 Nathan way London SE28 0BQ Tel: 07904 234 126, 07809 381 886 Times of service:Bible study: Thursdays 8pm. Night Vigil: Friday Forthnightly 12am

Gospel choir surprise on Britain’s Got Talent

resources—even during this time when He is bringing economic judgment on the wicked.

Finally, you must expect God’s visitation this year. Just before the Jericho miracle, Joshua found himself standing face-to-face with the “captain of the host of the Lord” (Josh 5:14). Bible scholars say this was not just an angel—they believe it was the pre-incarnate Christ. The miracle in Jericho, on their way to the Promised Land, was the ability of Joshua the leader, to see into the spirit realm. And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.” Josh 6:2.

This dramatic encounter marked Joshua forever and gave him the faith and courage to lead Israel to victory. My friend, it is the Lord’s presence that will sustain you in 2010, no matter what difficulties you face. Don’t trade or exchange that with anybody! The One who fights your battles is with you 24/7. You’ve not entered this year 2010 alone. Go forward in faith, leave the mix-multitude and your wilderness behind and take the territory that God has given you in Jesus name. This is a crown year!

You’ll shine, rule and reign in Jesus name (Amen). This is not the time to fight each other but to pray for each other. Remain blessed!

Sunday Service: Sundays 10am - 1pm Winners Chapel London- part of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, at Unit B1 Galleywall Trading Estate, South Bermondsey, London SE16 3PB meets Sunday 7am & 9am and 11am and Wednesdays at 7pm. For details call 020 7237 7894 CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH GRAVESEND, ST. AIDAIN’S CHURCH, ST. AIDAN’S WAY, GRAVESEND, KENT, DA12 4AG TEL. 01474 355 841, 07956 38 38 70 TIME OF WORSHIP: Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30pm to 9:00pm Friday, Night Vigil: 9pm to 11pm Sunday Worship: 12:30pm to 3:00pm

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK

Africa Newsround

DR Congo

Army officer arrested for corpse desecration

A lieutenant in the Democratic Republic of Congo army has been detained for desecrating the corpses of rebel fighters, officials have said.

His arrest last week in eastern DR Congo came a day after the UN Secretary General said he was “deeply concerned” about allegations of such mistreatment.

The army and M23 rebels began fighting near the key city of Goma on Sunday 14 July, although by the end of last week the army said they had pushed the rebels into retreat.

The M23 rebels, who are mostly from the Tutsi ethnic group, deserted from the Congolese army in April 2012.

DR Congo’s Information Minister Lambert Mende confirmed that there had been an arrest and named the officer as Lieutenant Solomo Bangala, a frontline soldier of the 391st Battalion.

“He was transferred into the hands of military judicial officials for the desecration of enemy corpses,” confirmed Mende,

Mali

speaking to the BBC. Human rights groups have catalogued abuses by all sides, including the army, during two decades of conflict in eastern DR Congo.

In April, 12 senior officers were suspended over the mass rape of civilians, also following pressure from the UN. However, arrests for such abuses are overall very rare.

The UN has more than 20,000 soldiers on the ground in DR Congo and the new 3,000-strong intervention brigade has a mission to neutralise and disarm eastern DR Congo’s many armed groups.

In an official statement released on 17 July, a spokesperson for UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon said: “The SecretaryGeneral is deeply concerned about reports of alleged mistreatment of M23 (23 March Movement) detainees and desecration of corpses of M23 combatants by the Congolese armed forces.

“The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)

Election workers freed

French troops picked up the freed hostages only a day after their kidnapping

Gunmen have freed four election workers and a deputy mayor a day after they were kidnapped in the remote north Mali town of Tessalit, a local official said last weekend.

“The five hostages were picked up this morning by French soldiers outside the town. We do not know what led to them being freed,” Cheick Fanta Mady Bouare, the prefect of Tessalit, told the news agency Reuters.

The kidnapping follows accusations from Mali’s government that the MNLA [Mouvement National de Libération de L’Azawad] rebels had violated the ceasefire deal this week after four people died in clashes be-

tween pro-separatist Tuareg youths and black Africans in Kidal.

Bouare said that the MNLA’s Baye Ag Diknane was arrested in connection with the kidnapping. It was not clear if he was acting on MNLA orders.

Mali remains under intense foreign pressure to hold the nationwide vote on July 28.

Soumaila Cisse, a frontrunner in the electoral race, said the kidnappings ought not undermine the credibility of the elections.

“Events in remote parts of the country should not disturb normal progress,” he told Reuters. “People are trying to prevent the elections from taking place but we should resist this provocation.”

has raised this matter at the highest level with the FARDC (Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo) and welcomes steps by the Congolese army to investigate these claims and to hold the perpetrators of these acts accountable. […]

“The Secretary-General calls on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to bring the perpetrators of these reported acts to justice and underlines that mistreatment of detainees is a violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.”

The M23 rebels, who are mostly Tutsis, split from the Congolese army in April 2012

Zimbabwe

Government object to new “pirate” TV station

The Zimbabwe government has announced that it will protest to South Africa over a new television station that is expected to start broadcasting from the neighbouring country this week, as the 31 July presidential elections loom ever nearer.

Sponsors of the new station, known as 1st TV, said it will be accessible to Zimbabweans through the free-to-air satellite platform.

1st TV promises to “provide impartial, factual news to the people of Zimbabwe as well as broadcasting popular films, soap operas and comedies.”

Zimbabwe’s state broadcaster, the ZBC, provides the country’s two television channels and four of its radio stations. It is under the tight control of Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF party, and is often seen as its official mouthpiece.

Two commercial radio stations were licensed last year, but both have close links with Zanu PF.

Mugabe’s spokesman has told state media that the government was exploring ways of stopping the new television station. He said the government would also engage the South African government over the matter, which he said was against Zimbabwe’s interests.

“We will be taking decisions mindful of the need to cripple this pirate television broadcast station,” the spokesman said.

“We have been aware of the technical corroboration between VOA [Voice of America] and Sentech [the South African signal distributor]. What we did not expect was this expansion of the corroboration.”

VOA hosts a shortwave radio station, Studio 7, that broadcasts into Zimbabwe and is run by journalists forced out of the southern African country.

Two other “pirate” radio stations broadcast into Zimbabwe, one of which is South African and the other British. Zanu PF claims that the stations are sponsored by governments seeking to remove Mugabe from power.

A satellite dish in a Harare squatters’ camp. 1st TV claims it will provide “factual news” to Zimbabweans

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Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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Entertainment News Omotola honoured with Silverbird Unique Personality Award

The 2013 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant (MBGN), which held recently in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, was won by 18-year-old Miss Anna Ebiere Banner. The newly crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, according to Silverbird Group, is expected to represent Nigeria in the Miss World Pageant later in the year in Jakartar, Indonesia. She was also handed a brand new car and appointed the Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism to the Bayelsa State Governor.

The Silverbird Unique Personality Award was presented to Nollywood star actress, Mrs. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, for her contributions and consistency in acting and show biz.

Jalade-Ekeinde, who is also known for her pet project on Child Right advocacy, took the opportunity to slam the leadership of the National Assembly for the passage of a bill approving early marriage. She described the bill as a “death” sentence passed on a child instead of providing the Nigerian children with an enabling law that will ensure proper and quality education, health care and protection against paedophiles and sex criminals.

Photos by: Daniel Sync/ Sync Photos

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, and SilverbirdChairman-Ben-Bruce.

Mr and Mrs. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Mrs. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde giving a word to her aide

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and Mrs. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

Mr and Mrs. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde with a friend

Mrs. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde with members of the panel of judges

The wife of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and Mrs. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

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Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

Events in Pictures The Nigeria High Commissioner, Senator (Dr.) Dalhatu Tafida recently played host to various groups of Nigerians in the military and business circles as they paid courtesy calls to the High Commission. The chieftains of the High Commission were also were in attendance at various times during sessions and these were the Head of Chancery, Head of Press and Public Relations, Head of Protocol, Head of Political desk, Head of Economic desk, and the Special Assistant/Minister to the High Commissioner.

The groups were the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce, and the Association of Retired Army, Navy and Airforce Officers of Nigeria in diaspora.

Senator (Dr.) Dalhatu Tafida hosts a leader of the Nigeria-British Chamber of Commerce.

Nig./British Chamber confab in Westminster

The High Commissioner giving his comments at the Nig./British Chamber confab in Westminster

The High Commissioner, HC staff, members of the Rtd. Army, Navy & Airforce personnel on courtesy call

The prestigious Caine prize for creative writing was recently judged in the United Kingdom and five Nigerians including a lady made the final list. The exception was Pede Hollist, a Sierra Leonean. Tope Folarin won and bagged the booty prize of £10,000.

The Caine (Five) Writing Award finalists - r -l - Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Elnathan John,Ms. Chinelo Okparanta, Pede Hollist and the winner, Tope Folarin.

The Jamaican High Commission played host to Jamaicans, friends of Jamaica and literary enthusiastsat the recent promotion of Andrea Campbell’s Jamaican Proverbs, People, & Places as a part of the umbrella celebration of Jamaica Celebrating 50. The event was presented by Andrea and Chermiah and sponsored by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Sistah Circle, a well-wisher, Chermiah, & friend with a copy of the book

MC, Andrea Campbell & Chermiah Hart at the promotion of the book, Jamaican Proverbs, People, & Places

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Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

WWW.AFRICANVOICEONLINE.CO.UK

Arts

Theatre, Shows and Musicals

By Ryan Holmes

man standing in their path, the virtuous King Duncan. But to maintain his position, Macbeth must keep on killing – first Banquo, his old comrade-in-arms; then, as the atmosphere of guilt and paranoia thickens, anyone who seems to threaten his tyrant’s crown.

21 New Globe Walk, London, Greater London SE1 9DT

The American Plan Now-August 10th

Lenny Henry as Troy and Tanya Moodie as Rose

Fences Now- Sept 14th

Troy Maxson was once an extremely gifted athlete who was deprived of his shot at the big time and now struggles within regular society in Pittsburgh. Indignant of a world he believes has denied him chances at every turn, he vents his anger on his loyal wife and sports-obsessed son.

Fences, is one of the eminent American dramas of the 20th century, and winner of the New York Drama Critics’ Award, two Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Set between the Korean and Vietnam wars, it is essentially the story of a family trying to claw themselves from despair and what happens when a strong man is robbed of his dreams - a universal story which will strike a chord in everyone of us.

The Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine St, London WC2B 5LA

Sound of Music July 25th -Sep 1st

Rachel Kavanaugh gave up her tenure at the helm of the Birmingham Rep last year; now, she’s flipping her attention to directing a new stage version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Nazis-and-yodelling classic.

It’s the Open Air Theatre’s traditional end of season musical blow out, but, surprisingly, this is the first time a Rodgers and Hammerstein-penned show has graced the Regent’s Park stage. Alongside Kavanaugh will be choreographer Alistair David and Olivier award-winning set and costume designer Peter McKintosh. While the acting talent comes from the Olivier nominees Charlotte Wakefield and Michael Xavier who will play Maria Rainer and Captain Von Trapp.

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, NW1 4NR

The Amen Corner Now- August 14th 20

As the gospel singing soars, Sister Margaret, uncompromising pastor of her Harlem church, has a congregation already in mutiny against hardnosed leadership. Their resentment soon escalates with the return of her absentee husband, a jazz tromboneplaying sinner, and the wayward conduct of her formerly paragon, musical son.

Charges of hypocrisy hang in the air and Margaret’s devout world looks perilously close to falling apart.

Beautifully expressed through the rousing beat of the gospel choir, the community’s sense of love, grief and spiritual survival will be given full voice in the National’s production of James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner.

Olivier Theatre. South Bank, London SE1 9PX

Sweet Bird of Youth Now-31 Aug 2013

Kim Cattrall stars alongside acclaimed Broadway actor Seth Numrich in Tennessee Williams’ powerful and poetic play, Sweet Bird of Youth, directed by Olivier Award-winner Marianne Elliott.

A fading Hollywood legend ravaged by the bitterness of failure and despair.

Fleeing the disastrous premiere of her comeback film, Alexandra Del Lago travels incognito as The Princess Kosmonopolis seeking refuge in drink, drugs and the arms of Chance Wayne, an idealistic young dreamer turned gigiolo and hellbent on achieving his own movie stardom. A trip to Chance’s hometown in a bid to win back his childhood sweetheart sees their relationship of convenience unravel The Old Vic. The Cut London SE1 8NB

Macbeth Now- 13th October

When three witches tell Macbeth that he is destined to occupy the throne of Scotland, he and his wife choose to become the instruments of their fate and to kill the first

A tangle of ravaged dreams, broken souls, twisted motives and deceit, The American Plan takes place against a backdrop of the Catskill Mountains during a 1960s summer. Lili Adler, the beautiful, fragile daughter of a wealthy German-Jewish refugee, meets Nick Lockridge, a handsome young stranger, and finds herself falling in love. But when her overbearing mother learns of their relationship, she proceeds to poison the young man’s affection and Lili’s one chance to escape her mother’s control looks like being lost forever.

St. James Theatre, 12 Palace Street London SW1E 5JA

The Color Purple Now-September 14th

An unforgettable story of enduring love and triumph over adversity, The Color Purple is a landmark musical from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Alice Walker.

This stirring family chronicle follows the inspirational Celie, as she journeys from childhood through joy and despair, anguish and hope to discover the power of love and life. With a fresh, joyous score of jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, this European premiere is directed by John Doyle (Road Show at the Menier Chocolate Factory), adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.

The Menier Chocolate Factory, 53

Southwark Street, London SE1 1RU .A Season

in the CongoNow-August 24th

BAFTA Award winning director Joe Wright (Anna Karenina, Atonement, Pride & Prejudice) directs Olivier Award winner Chiwetel Ejiofor (BBC2’s Dancing on the Edge, Othello at the Donmar Warehouse, Children of Men, Dirty Pretty Things) in the UK premiere of an epic retelling of a vibrant nation’s turbulent first year of freedom.

Even by the prodigiously visual values of the Young Vic, Wright’s production of French polymath Aimé Césaire’s 1966 sort-of-tragedy ‘A Season in the Congo’ is aesthetically pleasing stuff, a rainbow of song and dance, puppets and people, polyrhythms and sub bass, comedy and tragedy that spins and swirls like a tropical storm as it portrays the last years in the life of Congolese politician Patrice Lumumba (Chiwetel Ejiofor) in vividly impressionistic brushstrokes.

The Young Vic, 66 The Cut SE1 8LZ

Meschac Gaba: Museum of Contemporary African Art Now- September 22nd

Meschac Gaba’s Museum of Contemporary African Art is an immersive twelve-room installation, a ‘museum within a museum’, which is currently sprawling through Tate Modern Gaba has claimed that the Museum of Contemporary African Art is ‘not a model… it’s only a question.’ It is temporary and mutable, a conceptual space more than a physical one, a provocation to the Western art establishment not only to attend to contemporary African art, but to question why the boundaries existed in the first place.

Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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Arts

Edinburgh Fringe: The knock on the door

By Peter Olorunnisomo

The Fringe has crept upon us again. Just like the summer heat which was prayed for so earnestly that the winter must have felt quite hated for daring to ‘perform’ too long on stage. In fact, that is referred to as creating a ‘drag’ on stage. Certainly, the world being a stage, winter did, in fact, create a drag and everyone looked forward to welcoming the summer with as near a nostalgia as Santa Claus’ if only to pronounce the banishment of winter for another few months.

Yet when summer came, rather shyly, we almost gave up on its ability to be what it was meant to be. But it rose fiercely top the occasion as if it had spent months at rehearsals only to find that the audience were not ready for the performance.

Such is the knock that many a producer, artistic director, and actor would have felt with the call to perform at the Edinburgh fringe. The challenge was such that could almost drown one’s courage. But then all acts and creative muses went into incubation, heads bowed not in shame or defeat, but with the notion to stoop to conquer.

So that when the heads would be raised,

A drummer from the Oriental East

it would be done by no less a means than rapturous applause on feet that willingly gave their seats a breather to acknowledge the efforts put into such grand and exciting performances. Or shall we call them feats?

That is what everyone seeks -from the organisers to the performers, crew, and audience too. Each one with a manifesto that must be realised for, at least, a personal history. Some for the glory, others for birth, yet some others to rekindle that fire which

Save Yahaya Appeal!

had smouldered into a crust of dying coal seeking resurrection for life that must yet span another era. For these, every performance contributed a spark which must make a greater fire, a bonfire, from which the warmth in the soul is the celebration of the will, and the understanding of life.

Yes, the knock on the door of the fringe was preceded by a knock on the door to perform. And yet a further knock on the exclaim This is our chance. The people, the

audience, also out to see performances that may forever be celebrated, those that may be esoteric and reeled like film in the minds of those privilege to have seen them, and those that may in time prove testimonials of such greatness and value never fully realised.

It is the knock on the door for those creative ingenuities buried in the geo-politics of culture and politics, in the distances of flung locations, in the poverty of funds and screams unheard that the world may miss if nothing was done; if the world would not catch the glimpse and run to the rescue.

They answered the knock. They answered other knocks that followed. Each knock to open a door or doors. Some with trepidation as they turned the handles, others had their feet almost give way on stage, I saw one whose voice was a whisper till the spirit rose in her and tears welled in eyes of the hearers and she also sang in tears.

Whatever be it, they answered: each in his/ her own way, they answered.

That is the history of the fringe: the history of those who answered because they dared answer the knock. That is the stuff of the festival that must be an annual celebration. That is the fabric of life, men’s lives woven intricately in lessons esoteric and mundane. That is the travesty of art, a celebration of the quintessential forms of beauty capable only in the human mind.

Yahaya Taidi on the hospital bed receiving dialysis Last week, we published the dire story Taidi was a Secretary of the National Asand appeal for donation for a Nigerioan sociation of Judiciary Correspondents, journalist, Yahaya Taidi who has been Abuja. diagnosed with chromic kidney disease The National Judicial Council (NJC), since February this year and efforts that Supreme Court of Nigeria, and National has gone into keeping him alive by dialyAgency for Food Drug Administration sis thrice weekly pending when, with the and Control (N AFDAC) have also been support of well meaning institutions and supportive. Be your brother’s keeper and individuals, he will be able to travel to show some love for the life of another: India for a donor/transplant operation. save Yahaya with your donations.

Donations can be made to Ecobank NiHe is still receiving treatment in a prigeria Plc, Account No. 4701045358 in the vate hospital in Abuja, Nigeria. name of Taidi O. Yahaya. Pls include your Be your brother’s keeper and show some name and e-mail address/contact no. for aclove for the life of another: save Yahaya with knowledgement purposes. your donations. Yahaya Taidi is a member Please call African Voice Newspapers on of the Nigerian Union of Journalists,(NUJ), 020 7274 3933 or e-mail africanvoicenews@ Abuja council, and also an Associate memgmail.com and you will be guided to make ber of the Nigerian Institute of Pubic Relayour donations. Details of a UK aid account tion (NIPR). is not yet available as at press time.

21

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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News

Day Open Door Series hosted Soyinka in London With Lagos, Ogun and Osun successfully logged in its kitty, the Open Door Series Project WS79 train arrived London on Saturday, July 20.

It was a week after the July 13 take-off at the Freedom Park, Lagos, where the 2013 project officially marked the 79th birthday of the grand inspiration behind it, Prof. Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka aka WS. At the Africa Centre located in the market hub of the Convent Garden, Central London, about 200 guests, mostly children, teenagers, youths in their early 20s as well as a handful of adults gathered to witness the presence of the project on an international stage. Billed for 3pm; the hall had been full by 2pm, with the ‘birthday boy’ and his wife, Folake, seated and receiving endless stream of young admirers, who seemingly could not believe their luck of sharing moments and space with the ‘lion of the literary turf’, an African Icon and global Citizen. But there was WS, sitted calmly waiting for the 3pm take off. He was soon joined by a surprise guest, the wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Ibikunle Amosun resplendent in her beauty and charm.

Mrs Amosun had on July 14 at the Ogun State Cultural Centre, Kuto-Abeokuta played host as well as mentored the 79 finalists in the Essay competition that heralded the WS79 project. And there she was, flanked by Alhaja Adeola Kareem, the financial director of the organising company, Zmirage Multimedia Company.

It was inspiring for the organisers and the guests that Mrs Amosun would extend her generous support of the project to London.

The event took off with a ‘drum call’ parading three talking drummers, who thrilled with their deft manoeuvring of the drum strings. In the trail of the drum libation came successive entertainment shots including a solo contemporary dance by a teenager, Master Amah; a wind duet on sax and trumpet featuring the Ogunjobi siblings; and another dance duet by choreographer, dancer, Stanley Amah and white female partner, among others.

The heart of the proceeding was the Youth Summit, which like the Nigeria version, had select youths speaking on the theme of the 2013 WS79 project, MEMOIRS FOR OUR FUTURE. Shortly before the summit, Mrs. Amosun, as she did in abeokuta a week earlier, mentored the gathering of young and old on the significance of education and cultural patriotism. She encouraged the young people to always dream quality dreams, especially about their future, and to pursue such dreams even if in consultation with their parents. She urged parents to always be available to guide their children and wards towards realisation of their dreams and desires. The pursuance of wealth and economic survival, should not be allowed to prevent parents from performing their role of properly educating their children/ wards; or of mentoring them to be good, 22

Prof Soyinka launching the project WS Book ‘That the future may live’.

Prof Wole Soyinka, his wife Mrs Folake Soyinka and Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun with The Summit Speakers

A cross section of guests

patriotic citizens, reasoned Mrs Amosun.

She said Ogun State, where her husband is political head, has deliberately flagged education as pivotal to its developmental agenda; reminding that of the 36 states of the Nigeria federation, Ogun has the highest vote for education in every budgetary year. She drew instant applause for this.

Before the audience, that included their parents, teachers and others who had obtained tickets online to be part of the event, the young ones spoke about the future they envisaged; the tomorrow they desired; and the sort of progressive society they wished their parents -- the adults, the political, economic and society leaders -- would bequeath to them.

Through poetry, short story, extempore speeches, the young Africans in the Diaspora, asked, among others, for a society that cares for the well-being of its children; a nation that gives quality education, health and environment to its young ones; a society where religious and political tolerance thrives, a world where racial differences dissolve such that terrorism, extremism and violence are alienated; a universe where the young ones are given the opportunity to dream their dreams, realise their desires and are free to explore the depth of the many possibilities that their talents and acquired skills could push them.

Essentially, the young ones urged the adults to make the world a livable place for

them. They demanded a qualitative living space that is untainted by religious and political strives and the varied, many factors that lead to abuse of the young ones and the mortgaging of the future; their tomorrow.

The lot fell on Professor Wole Soyinka to speak for the rest of the older folks, especially to assure the young ones, that the adults have heard their yearning; and would work harder and conscientiously to ensure that the sanity of the world is preserved to ensure that the young ones grow into a society that is sane, and caring for the young.

The Nobel laureate accomplished this task in a mentoring tenor that was however, captured in a Question and Answer session.

Before the mentoring, Soyinka had formally presented the book, “That the Future May Live” -- a collection of the winning essays in the past editions of the Open Door Series since 2010 when the programme was birthed as Project WS76 to mark the 76th birthday of the Nobel laureate.

The book also containing rare photographs of Soyinka in his younger age, as well as an introduction by him, and comments by some of the key operatives of the Project WS, is published by Bookcraft Ibadan for the Zmirage Multimedia.

In his presentation, Prof. Soyinka stressed on the importance of young people committing their thoughts and desires to permanent form in the form of publications.

He encouraged them to always document their observations and experiences through writing as this would serve as part of their literary assets in the future. This, he said, was the way he started his own literary career.

In the no-holds-barred session, the young ones were encouraged to fire questions at the Special Guest of Honour, WS. And bearing a very calm and relaxed poise, the Nobel laureate treated each question to the details. He joked with the young ones, counselled them, and threw endless jive at adults, especially parents, who behave irresponsibly to the detriment of the interests of their children; and ostensibly the future.

To a question, on what the society could do to make the world conducive for the ‘tomorrow’, Soyinka urged the young ones to tap inspiration from the presentation of the young Pakistani lady, Malala, who recently gained global attention through a presentation she made before the United Nations Youth Assembly, where she campaigned for compulsory education for the girl child.

Malala herself had fallen victim to some religious extremists, in her Mingora, Swat district of Pakistan, who violently attacked her for defending girls’ right to education.

For her bold, daring moves, she was targeted for punishment by the Talibans. But on her 16th birthday, the UN invited her to address its Youths Assembly, where also two prizes -- National Malala Peace Prize and the International Childrens’ Prize --were named in her honour.

Culled from ‘Culture Dispatch’

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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Culture

The Temne of Sierra Leone The largest ethnic groups in Sierra Leone are the Temne and Mende.

The Temne and Mende both account for slightly more than 30% of the total population.

The Temne people established small chiefdoms in the thirteenth century. In the sixteenth century the Mende people had arrived and established the Mende States.

The Muslim Fulani from Guinea had migrated into sierra Leone in the early 1600’s and converted many of the Temne people to Islam.

The Temne are predominantly found in the Northern Province and the Western Area, including the capital Freetown, while

colonialists. The cause of the war was the perceived overtaxation of the Temne people by British tax-collectors.

The English word cola, which originally contained extracts of the kola nut, is said to derive from the Temne word aŋ-kola ‘kola nut.’ The Temne people speak Temne.

The Temne language, along with the creole (Krio), serve as the major trading language in northern Sierra Leone. Temne is also spoken by other Sierra Leonean ethnic groups as a regional lingua franca, especially in Northern Sierra Leone; the language is spoken by around 40% of Sierra Leone’s population.

The people of Sierra Leone were affected by the slave trade in the beginning.

Face of art in culture

Dr Ernest Bai Koroma (President of Sierra Leone) a Temne

the Mende are found primarily in the Southern Province and the Eastern Province.

The Temne are rice farmers, fishermen, and traders. Temne culture revolves around the paramount chiefs, and the secret societies, especially the men’s Poro society and the women’s Bondo society. The most important Temne rituals focus on the coronation and funerals of paramount chiefs and the initiation of new secret society members. During the 16th, 17th, and 18th century hundreds of thousands of Temne were shipped to the Americas as slaves.

Today the Temnes are mostly Muslims (about 80-85%) who interweave Islamic beliefs with traditional African practices (synchretism). About 15-20% of Temne are followers of Christianity.

Before British domination, Temne were ruled by a king called the Bai or Obai. In 1898, the Temne fought in one of the most brutal rebellions in the history of West Africa against British rule, known today as the Hut Tax War of 1898. The war was initiated

by Temne chief Bai Bureh against British 22

The first man who started the rebellion was tribal leader Bai Bureh. He was considered the hero of the rebellion because of his military strategies. He had used guerilla war tactics, and bought soldiers from other Temne provinces.

The British then seeked out for his capture, by offering 100 pounds. Bai Bureh in return set a reward of 500 pounds for the governors capture. There was even a time where the Temne warriors had completely cut off communication between the British.

Within several years, hundreds and thousands of free slaves came into the country and then the country was renamed “Free-

By being captured and then sold into slavery. During the slave trade hundreds and thousands of Mende were captured and put into slavery. This was proven by a test by swabbing blood from a Mende person and a lady in the U.S. this match showed a very close match between the two. In later years the British attempted to colonize Sierra Leone.

The English tried to make the country a colony area of freedom. This was not just for the people trying to escape European rule but it also created a new beginning for native peoples by letting them become freed people. This was a very important time because this form of freedom was very early than the other countries around the world.

This was then proven to be unsuccessful, because of a widespread disease and tribal conflicts. One of the tribal conflicts was the Temne Rebellion. This was started because of the taxes the English put on Huts. The huts were being taxed 10 shillings a year for huts with more than four rooms, and 5 shillings for huts with less that 3 rooms.

Hunting Horn of the Temne

town”. Sierra Leone’s culture shows the diversity of the native people and people who migrated into the country to seek refuge.

The very first European explorers to discover Sierra Leone were the Portuguese.

The Portuguese then named the country Sierra Leone because of the shape of its mountains. In the early 16th century, European traders constantly visited the Freetown Peninsula to trade cloth and metal goods. In return the Europeans got: ivory, timber, and slaves. The British than dominated the region in the 1800’s.

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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News

Cape Verdeans get custom Facebook app Keeping up with all things Cape Verdean just got a lot easier with a new, unique Facebook app developed by entrepreneur and software architect Nick Pinheiro.

“NhaCabo,” which can be translated as ‘My Cabo Verde’ or ‘My Place,’ allows its users to connect with people, places and things related to Cape Verde in just one simple step.

“NhaCabo will allow Cape Verdeans from throughout the Diaspora to connect, interact and collaborate in a way that was never once imaginable,” according to Pinheiro, who introduced the app this week at the Microsoft office in Boston where he works. By using the new app, users can now find in just one place readily available sources of information at their fingertips with content from a variety of sites, including YouTube, iTunes, Amazon, Bing and Facebook. It can be accessed at http:// www.nhacabo.com.

“By taking advantage of cutting-edge technologies, the app will create a platform

Firefighters at the scene last week

to further the ongoing development of the Cape Verdean people, economy and country,” Pinheiro said.

Brit born and trained in Kenya wins Tour de France

NhaCabo has been optimised for all devices, including tablets and smartphones.

The son of Cape Verdean immigrants, Pinheiro grew up in Weymouth, Massachu-

setts. He holds a Master of Science degree in computer information systems from Boston University and has been working at Microsoft since January 2012, where he specialises in Web content management, document management and enterprise collaboration systems.

An innovator by nature, Pinheiro has also worked on a social portal platform he named SocialDotNet, which allows for niche communities to host aggregated content from large providers such as iTunes, Amazon, Google, YouTube and Facebook.

In addition to his work in technology, Pinheiro is very active in the Cape Verdean community, where he is known for his cultural activism. He was the founder of ClubNino.com, a social network geared toward members of the Cape Verdean community, and of Nino Entertainment, an event production company. This past year, he joined the Cabo Verde Music Awards organisation as a member of the Board of Judges representing the Americas.

Black teenagers more likely to apply for UK university places

Numbers have shown consierable increase with 34% of black UK teenagers now applying to university

Tour winner Chris Froome and his trainer David Kinjah

UK cyclist Chris Froome, who was born and trained in Africa and speaks Swahili, says he hopes that his victory this month in the 100th Tour de France will inspire other young Africans.

Froome, 28, was born in Kenya to parents of British descent. At the age of 14, he moved to South Africa to go to school and then university in Johannesburg.

He was introduced to cycling by David Kinjah, a professional Kenyan cyclist, and won a cycling medal for Kenya in the 2007 All Africa Games.

His performances in 2008 attracted the attention of British Cycling coach, Rod Ellingworth who believed Froome had potential.

“Although I was riding under the Kenyan flag I made it clear that I had always carried a British passport and felt British,” said Froome earlier this year. “It was then we talked about racing under the Union Flag, and we stayed in touch.”

However, Froome’s father Clive, who still lives in Kenya, said his son “feels at home” in Kenya and South Africa just as much as he does

24

in the UK. “He has shared affiliation and affection for all three,” he said.

Kinjah said seeing Froome win the Tour was “a wonderful, wonderful feeling” Although competitive cycling is not hugely popular in Kenya, a large number of fans gathered to watch and celebrate Froome’s victory in a bar in the wealthy Westlands suburb of Nairobi.

Speaking to the BBC, Kinjah said he initially thought Froome was “another young kid” from a wealthy family, before realising that he was a “poor white boy”.

“And soon when we started to be friends, I never charged his mother any money because Chris was quickly becoming one of us and he loved to be in the village with us,” he said.

“He was like one of us, our brother. He was just funny and happy, a white boy who accepted our village and ate our food.”

After his victory, Froome said: “I’d like my performances here to help inspire a lot of youngsters, especially young Africans.”

“They have to believe they can get out of Africa to make it to European teams.”

An analysis of higher education applications by the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has claimed that black and Asian teenagers are more likely to apply for university places than their white counterparts.

There are also “eye-catching regional variations in demand”, according to UCAS chief executive Mary Curnock Cook, with teenagers in Northern Ireland making the highest proportion of applications, and those in Wales the least. Within England, teenagers from London are the most likely to apply for places, with around 42% of all 18 year-olds seeking admission to university.

UCAS’s figures appear to confirm that the likelihood of whether a young person applies to university is heavily influenced by such factors as social background, ethnicity and where they live.

Between 2006 and 2013 there has been a considerable increase in applications from ethnic minorities in England, particularly black teenagers, rising from 20% to 34%.

Chinese teenagers are the most likely to apply, followed by other Asians.

White teenagers, however, are the least likely to apply, with only 29% seeking places.

“Our new analysis of demand by ethnic group shows that white pupils at English

schools now have the lowest application rate of any ethnic group. There has been significant growth in demand from black pupils,” said Curnock Cook.

Wealth is also an issue. More teenagers from the poorest income groups are applying, but there are still significant gaps in terms of social background.

Teenagers from the richest areas are more than four times as likely to apply to the most selective universities than those from the poorest areas, while youths who were entitled to free school meals are only half as likely to apply to university than those who were not.

Les Ebdon, director of the Office of Fair Access, an independent public body that is intended to safeguard and promote fair access to higher education, welcomed the fact that the gap in applications between richest and poorest was narrowing.

However, Universities UK chief Nichola Dandrige warned that UCAS’s figures did not show applications from mature and parttime students, which have been affected by the increase in tuition fees under the Coalition government.

“Numbers of mature and part-time students have decreased considerably since 2010 and any further drop may have significant implications for potential students and the country as a whole,” she said.

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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News

Cissé rapped over double standards A Muslim footballer who refused to wear his team sponsor’s logo because it would be at odds with his faith is being branded a hypocrite after it emerged he has visited a casino.

Newcastle United striker Papiss Cissé pulled out of the team’s pre-season tour of Portugal because the club’s headline sponsor is pay-day loan company Wonga. Under some interpretations of Sharia law, Muslims consider it wrong to benefit from lending money. Interest is not paid on Islamic bank accounts or added to mortgages.

Former West Ham striker Frederic Kanoute - also a Muslim - was allowed by Sevilla to wear an unbranded shirt while they were sponsored by gambling company 888.com. Cissé had offered to wear a charity-branded shirt as a compromise, but this offer was rejected by the club. Newcastle teammates and fellow Muslims Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick Tioté have not taken Cissé’s stance and have been wearing the loan company’s logo.

Now, however, images that purport to show Cissé at a gambling table in Aspers Casino in Newcastle. Sharia law expressly forbids any form of gambling.

Supporter Andrew McNally, who claims to have taken the photograph at a blackjack table in the casino, said the striker spoke about upcoming Newcastle games as he placed £10 and £20 stakes. McNally told a national newspaper: “Cissé was just plac-

ing small bets, £10 or £20 with £5 chips (..)

A number of fans have said that they have seen him in there. You have to say it does undermine his stance on Wonga.”

A spokesperson for Aspers Casino described Cissé as “an occasional visitor” who was “very well behaved and very welcome”, but would not confirm whether or not he placed any bets.

Madou Diene, the player’s agent, said: “Papiss Cissé is not a gambler.”

Newcastle city councillor Dipu Ahad has previously defended Cissé’s stance on Wonga. He said: “I feel absolutely ashamed of what he’s done, there’s not just me there’s been other people who’ve been supporting him.

“But what he’s done now, seeing him in the casino, even if he wasn’t gambling, I think this gives a wrong message.

“People will say, ‘look, this is Islam they can pick and choose whatever they want’, and Islam isn’t about picking and choosing.”

It has been suggested that the Senegal international may have played his last game for Newcastle, with manager Alan Pardew faced with the prospect of having to offload his most potent attacking weapon. PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor is, however, still hopeful that a compromise can be reached which suits all parties.

He said: “We’re working with Newcastle United, Papiss and his advisor to achieve a satisfactory settlement.

This blurred image allegedly shows Papiss Cissé playing blackjack

“We’re consulting experienced people within football used to dealing with equality issues who are Muslims.”

Cissé joined Newcastle in a £9million deal from Freiburg in January last year and he was an immediate success in the coveted

Newcastle No 9 shirt, scoring 13 goals in 14 games.

Newcastle signed a £24million deal with Wonga to replace Virgin Money as Newcastle’s sponsors last year.

Second man implicated in Greek island stabbing

Tyrell Matthews-Burton was on Crete celebrating his nineteenth birthday

A second suspect has emerged in the investigation into the fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old Briton in the resort town of Malia, north-eastern Crete, in the early hours of Tuesday (July 23), after allegedly confessing to the crime on Wednesday.

Nineteen youths have been arrested following a bloody brawl early Tuesday between some 30 British tourists outside a nightclub at the holiday resort, ending with the fatal stabbing of Tyrell MatthewsBurton from Leyton, East London. Among them is a 19-year-old Black Briton, in whose hotel room police found a knife covered in blood inside a pair of shoes. He insists that he is innocent.

On Wednesday, however, another 19year-old in the group reportedly told the

prosecutor that the knife and shoes belonged to him and that he had been handling the weapon during the brawl. He is said to have conceded that he may have accidentally stabbed Matthews-Burton.

All of the suspects will face an investigating magistrate today (Thursday), who will further probe the 19-year-old’s alleged confession and decide on charges for the others involved in the fight.

Meanwhile, the local coroner said that his findings suggested that Matthews-Burton had been on the ground when he was stabbed in the back and chest, puncturing his heart.

Manolis Michalodimitrakis said that “he was clearly pinned down and killed execution-style – there were no defence wounds.”

25

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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Travel Travel

In association association with with In

SE Londoners warned to protect before travel

People living in south-east London who plan to visit countries affected by malaria this summer should take special steps to protect themselves.

The call comes from Public Health England (PHE) and African Diaspora for Action Against Malaria (ADAAM), who have urged greater awareness amongst African communities in south-east London in particular, as the summer holidays start. The school summer break commenced for most London schoolchildren this week, making now a prime period for families to travel abroad.

Malaria is still a major health issue for south east London as shown in a recent report which found 4,311 people were confirmed with the infection by local laboratories between 2000 and 2011. Where the borough of residence was known, Southwark had the highest number of cases (1,036), followed by Greenwich (696), Lambeth (599), Lewisham (226), Bexley (189), and Bromley (83). During this period, 93% of all imported malaria cases were acquired in Africa with 90% of these from West Africa. Over half of all cases (57%), where the information was known, reported their reason for travel as visiting friends or relatives.

Dr Rachel Heathcock, PHE London’s lo-

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Symptoms of Malaria

cal director of health protection for south east London, said: “Malaria is a preventable disease, so it’s concerning that we continue to see high numbers of cases in people from south east

London who have travelled abroad. It is particularly worrying that eight out of ten people who contracted malaria reported not taking anti-malarials during their travels to countries where the disease is endemic.

“It is important for people to be aware of

the risks from malaria, which is potentially life-threatening, and the benefits of taking anti-malarial medication, particularly black African people who experience the greatest burden of malaria. Avoiding mosquito bites when abroad is also crucial and measures such as covering up between dusk and dawn, using insect repellents and bed nets can all help.”

Ralph Tanyi, coordinator of ADAAM, added that confusion about immunity is a major reason why people do not seek advice prior to travelling, especially when visiting family and friends.

Often people living in the UK who were born in a country affected by malaria may incorrectly believe that they are ‘immune’ to the disease. The reality is that any resistance they may have once had decreases rapidly as soon as they come to live in the UK. Other common misconceptions that stop people from taking the necessary precautions are that malaria drugs are too expensive or that they are only going away for a short time. Our advice is that people should not take any risks with their health and should speak to their doctor about medication to prevent malaria, no matter how short the trip. Because of these misconceptions and because malaria is totally preventable, it is vital to raise awareness in south east London.

Friday, 26 July 2013 – Thursday, 1 August 2013

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Competition

Eat brekkie and dump the Win A Return Flight Ticket midnight snacks, says study Courtesy Arik Air

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, according to a 16-year study of a large group of middle-aged and older male American health professionals, their eating habits, and their risk of developing coronary heart disease.

The study found that men who reported skipping breakfast had a 27% higher risk of coronary heart disease than men who ate breakfast. Men who regularly indulged in a “midnight snack” (getting up to eat after they had gone to bed) were found to have a 55% higher risk of coronary heart disease than men who didn’t.

However, no association was seen between eating frequency (number of meals per day) and the risk of coronary heart disease. This could suggest that it is the timing of meals rather than the frequency that has a bigger influence on heart health.

But because of the design of this cohort study, a direct cause and effect relationship between breakfast and health cannot be proven.

While the researchers attempted to take certain lifestyle factors into account,

HOW TO ENTER To be in with your chance to win a return ticket to Lagos, simply answer this question: What is the name of Arik Air Inflight Magazine? a) Jet Setter b) Wings c) Flight Send your answer with full name, telephone number and postal address on an email to africanvoicenews@gmail.com or postcard to the Promoter: African Voice Newspapers Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP. Winner will be picked at random.

A ‘full English’ is possibly not what is being recommended here. Just saying

it could be the case that people who take time to have a regular breakfast also tend to have healthier lifestyles. The group being studied was also extremely limited – professional men who were almost exclusively white. More research in women and other groups is needed for us to learn more about breakfast and heart health.

Study links nasal sprays to birth defects

“Pregnant women who use nasal sprays for colds and hayfever increase the risk of rare birth defects,” according to a report on Mail Online.

This headline was based on a large study of infants with and without birth defects. It looked at whether their mothers said they had used decongestants during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy.

It found a possible link between birth defects and two ingredients commonly found in decongestants (phenylephrine and phenylpropanolamine). Most strikingly, the risk of a birth defect where the walls separating the chambers of the heart are poorly formed or absent was eight times higher in mothers taking phenylephrine.

While this sounds alarming, as the Mail rightly points out, the increase should be placed into the wider context. The increase in risk translates into a 2.7 in 1,000 (0.27%) chance the baby would have the defect. It is also worth noting that this study did not set out to prove that decongestant medicines cause birth defects, only whether the two may be linked. It is not possible to say for definite, on the basis of this study, that nasal sprays cause birth defects.

It is generally advisable to use as few overthe-counter medicines as possible during pregnancy.

Though Vicks Sinex spray sold in the UK should not contain phenylephrine, pregnant women should always consult their GP or pharmacist before taking of-the-shelf remedies

Last month’s competition winner: Gbenga Odufuwa Answer to the question: c) White Ox blood Blue

Terms and Conditions.

1.Competition is open to UK residents only aged 21 years or over. By entering this competition you are agreeing to receive marketing communications from Arik Air. 2. The ticket prize is for a return economy flight from London Heathrow to Lagos for one passenger. (Taxes to be paid by winners).

3. Winning tickets must be redeemed during off peak period. Black-out dates apply (including Easter, Summer, Christmas – please check with Arik Air reservations).

4. Competition closing date: Midnight 15th August 2013.

5. Entry is restricted to one entry per person. No purchase is necessary. An independent person will randomly pick one winning entrant from the pool of all eligible entries within 48hrs of the closing date.

The winner will be notified within 7 days of the draw date by telephone or email.

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Nasri: I accept criticism as long as it’s justified You were due to return to the France team after a year out only to be denied by an injury. What does it mean to you to be on the verge of the national side again?

I’m very happy about it. One of my priorities is to get back in the France team as quickly as possible. Wearing that blue shirt is very important to me and I’ll do everything to win back my place in the squad.

I know I can help the team, but I’m also perfectly aware that I must prove to the coach that I’m up to the task. I’ve been given another chance and it’s up to me to give my all.

Samir Nasri playing for Manchester City

He may still be only 25, but Samir Nasri has just been through the most difficult season he is likely to experience in his career. Heavily criticised during UEFA EURO 2012 following an altercation with a journalist, the Manchester City midfielder then struggled to perform at his best for large parts of his team’s domestic campaign, resulting in harsh words from the club’s then manager Roberto Mancini.

Called back into the France set-up after a year away and a strong end to 2012/13 with City, the former Arsenal man then endured further disappointment when he had to pull out of Didier Deschamps’s squad with injury.

Speaking to FIFA.com, Nasri reflected on his troubled year, how he has learnt from his mistakes, and City’s season in general. He also signalled his firm desire to win back his place as a France starter and spoke of his dream to contest the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

FIFA.com: You recently finished the most testing season of your career. How do you feel today?

Samir Nasri: I feel good at the moment.

I’m feeling more relaxed, but the last few months were very trying for me. Emotionally, I went through several moments of doubt and reassessment. Some of the criticism I got hurt me, and lots of bad things were said. I accept criticism as long as it’s justified, but there were lots of lies about 30

me. I made mistakes, I know, but I’m not the ugly duckling that some people seem to think.

Are you referring to the incident involving a journalist at UEFA EURO 2012?

Yes, but not just that. As far as that incident goes, I made a mistake by reacting to the provocation of a journalist. I shouldn’t have said what I said. That episode made me think a lot and the fact that I found myself under fire from critics weighed heavily on me. I possibly took too long before making my apologies, but that’s done now.

It’s one thing less to worry about, and that’s done me a lot of good.

Do you think you have gained maturity in dealing with these challenges?

Yes, for sure. I’ve learnt from my mis-

takes and I feel more mature now. I’m still young and I know I have a lot to learn.

These last few months have made me grow as a man.

Your club also had a tough year, not winning any trophies and exiting the UEFA Champions League at the group stage. What do you make of Manchester City’s season?

It was certainly a very disappointing season and losing our title of English champions was a failure that was difficult for the whole squad to swallow. We didn’t manage to win a single trophy, and that’s disappointing for a club with the standing of Manchester City. We had a very testing year but we’ll learn from our mistakes to have an excellent season next year.

Nasri while on international duty with France

What do you think of France’s chances of qualifying for the next FIFA World Cup? Honestly, I’m confident, even if the road to the end of the qualifiers is still long.

The team has put in good performances up until now, like getting a draw in Spain, and I think this squad of players is one of the most talented in Europe. Between the experienced senior players and the youngsters coming through like Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba, we’ve got what it takes to have a very competitive team. We’re just one point behind Spain and we can still take first place in the group, which would allow us to avoid the play-offs.

If France manage to qualify, what would it mean to you to be in the squad and play in a FIFA World Cup in Brazil?

I dream about it! It’s one of the biggest football countries on earth and the sport is like a religion for Brazilians. I don’t think there’s a single footballer who wouldn’t want to play such an important competition in a country like Brazil. It’s a legendary place – you think about their spectacular play, Pele, Ronaldo, the yellow shirt and the festive atmosphere in the stands. Every footballer or fan of this sport has magical memories linked to A Seleção.

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Ghana regain two slots for CAF inter-clubs competitions

Berekum Chelsea, just one of the teams who will benefit

Ghana will have four representatives in continental club competitions from next year after CAF restored two lost slots to the West African country.

This means Ghana will have two teams in the CAF Champions League from next year and will also have two clubs in the CAF Confederation Cup. Kotoko and Berekum Chelsea will represent Ghana in the CAF Champions League while Medeama and a yet to be decided team will represent the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The revelation comes three years after the continent’s governing body reduced Ghana’s slots for inter-clubs competitions due to past poor performances by representatives.

But consistent efforts by the Ghana FA to regain the four slots have resulted in the decision by CAF to return to the country the two slots each for each competition.

The GFA has boosted clubs financially to help them to participate despite financial difficulties with Berekum Chelsea, Kotoko and New Edubiase all getting financial support from the federation.

Berekum Chelsea’s heroics in the Champions League last year helped Ghana to regain its place.

Tau retires from football

Jimmy Tau

Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs defender Jimmy Tau has announced his retirement from football.

The right-back, who has missed the last 12 months with injury, was not offered a new deal at Naturena at the end of last season and has decided to call it a day.

Tau made the announcement on Tuesday, his 33rd birthday, having turned down interest from a number of teams in his services.

“I know I served with loyalty and pride.

Thank you to Kaizer Motaung and Dr Ir-

vin Khoza, for allowing me to lead their teams,” Tau says.

Tau has been involved in a public spat with Chiefs football manager Bobby Motaung after he made a comment that he was surprised he had been released by Chiefs.

Motaung responded that Tau knew the club were looking at other players going forward and suggested the former Bafana Bafana defender was showing sour grapes.

Before then it the last time a Ghanaian side feature in the money zone of the Caf Champions League was in 2006.

Kotoko were the last Ghanaian side to play in the Group phase of the Confederation Cup in 2008.

Clubs have also in the past withdrawn from playing in Africa citing financial constraints.

Hearts of Oak won the Champions League in 2000 and the maiden edition of the Confederation Cup in 2004.

Rivals Asante Kotoko won the then African Cup of Champions Clubs twice in 1970 and 1983.

IAAF plans for Moscow

Frimpong begins pre-season training with Arsenal

Emmanuel Frimpong began pre-season training with English Premier League side Arsenal on Tuesday after recovering from injury.

The midfielder was sidelined for two months after undergoing a knee operation.

Frimpong, 21, sustained the injury while playing for Fulham on loan in their 3-0 win at Swansea in May. The Ghana international confirmed his return to training on Twitter by posting: “Back on the Pitch today thanks God.” Frimpong made just two appearances for Arsenal last season before being loaned out to Fulham.

Cameroonian Football Association suspension lifted

Continued from page 32

Notably, the analyses will not only screen markers indicating the use of EPO or blood manipulation in endurance events but also markers potentially indicating steroid or growth hormone doping more relevant to the power disciplines.

“Suspicious results from the screening analyses performed on-site could, where appropriate, trigger follow-up target tests in Moscow in urine (notably for EPO) and/or further analyses for prohibited substances or prohibited methods in blood in Lausanne,” said the statement.

It said that all results can ultimately be used in support of an anti-doping rule violation if an athlete’s overall biological profile is found to be consistent with the use of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method, in accordance with IAAF Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations.

The blood testing programme in Moscow will be organised in addition to the regular doping controls that are collected at ever IAAF World Championships.

“Moscow 2013 will witness a programme of approximately 500 urine samples, in and out-ofcompetition combined. In accordance with the IAAF policy implemented for the first time in 2005 at the World Championships in Helsinki, urine samples collected in Moscow will be kept for long-term storage for possible re-analyses at a later stage in anticipation of new scientific developments,” concludes the statement.

FECAFOOT headquarters

FIFA passed a decision today, 22 July 2013, to lift the suspension of the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT) given that the conditions previously set have been met.

As requested by the FIFA Emergency Committee, the normalisation committee that was appointed on 20 July 2013 was able to take up its duties this Monday, 22 July 2013, at the FECAFOOT headquarters, with FIFA and CAF observers present.

The lifting of the suspension means that FECAFOOT’s clubs, officials and other representatives can immediately resume their activities, which had been interrupted.

The same applies for the resumption of the courses and various programmes provided

by FIFA, CAF and other member associations.

FIFA and CAF will continue to closely monitor the situation, particularly in relation to the revision of the FECAFOOT statutes.

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ISSUE 492

Frimpong begins pre-season training with Arsenal

SEE PAGE 31

Zero tolerance against doping IAAF plans for Moscow

Asafa Powell, fmr World champion, wants to get back on the tracks

By Peter Olorunnisomo The effects of the pre-IAAF World Athletics meet dope testing campaign is leaving very sour tastes in the mouths of the athletes found to have tested positive for performance enhancement drugs. Mostly members of the Jamaican contingent, where potentially that country intends to holds its own against the world in the areas of short distance sprint events and the relay, it has been a nightmare in the last two weeks. The discoveries hitting the media about them, and the rest of the world, threatens to the athletic prowess of these athletes and casts great aspersion on the credibility of the results of a

game yet to hold in the event that any of them should shine brilliantly.

The sole ‘winners’ so far has been the IAAF showing that it intends to send out a clear message to the rest of the world and participating countries that it intends to organise a credible world championship meet (in the event that records tumble).

The IAAF has started and will continue to the event proper where a comprehensive blood testing programme will be organised at the World Championships in Moscow.

This will be part of a sophisticated antidoping programme for the 14th edition of the championships taking place between August 10th and 18th.

A couple of years back the Internation-

al Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) collected blood samples from all athletes taking part in the World Championships in Daegu, Korea in an anti-doping exercise that was conducted in close co-operation with the Lausanne WADA-accredited Anti-Doping Laboratory and with the support of the World Anti-Doping Agency and local partners and was unprecedented in world sport history.

It was the first time that nearly 2000 elite athletes competing in a major sports event were blood tested under the same optimal conditions, within the same time period.

According to a statement issued by the IAAF media department Wednesday, the blood testing in Moscow will be conducted

in support of the Athlete Biological Passport programme.

As in Daegu: “It will cover all disciplines in athletics and a wide range of relevant biomarkers.

Continued on page 31

African Voice Newspaper is published by African Voice Communications. Unit 7 Holles House Overton Road London SW9 7AP. Tel: 020 7274 3933 Registered at the British Library as a newspaper. ISSN 1475-2166.Email: africanvoicenews@googlemail.com