Monthly Archives: May 2011

150,000 feared displaced in Abyei after its capture by Bashir

Posted on May 31, 2011 by

The number of people displaced from Sudan’s disputed Abyei region after its seizure by northern troops has reached 150,000, a southern minister says. “The situation is terrible – they are running in fear from brutal violence, without shelter,” Humanitarian Affairs Minister James Kok Ruea said. The BBC’s Peter Martell in Juba says the figure is a huge leap from UN estimates of between 30,000 and 40,000. Meanwhile, the north says it is ready to start talks on the crisis. The northern negotiator on Abyei, Al-Dirdiri Mohammed Ahmed, told the AFP news agency he hopes the negotiations will take place in Ethiopia on Saturday hosted by the African Union mediators. Analysts … Continue reading →

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Abyei in flames after north Sudan captures it

Posted on May 31, 2011 by

Sudan’s disputed border town of Abyei is ablazen (photo), with gunmen looting properties days after troops from the government in Khartoum entered the area, UN peacekeepers say. The peacekeepers belonging to UNMIS, the UN mission in Sudan, said on Monday that the burning and looting was perpetrated “by armed elements” but it was not clear whether they were from the north or the south. The developments in Abyei drew strong reaction from the US, with its special envoy to the country saying Washington would rule out dropping Sudan from a terrorism list if it continued occupying the oil-rich district. Princeton Lyman said the “occupation” of Abyei by northern troops is … Continue reading →

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Several African leaders attend Jonathan’s inauguration

Posted on May 30, 2011 by
President Jonathan waves to his admirers after being sworn in Saturday,

From Daniel Idonor in Abuja Edited by Henry Gombya More than 40 world leaders and five former Nigerian Presidents witnessed the inauguration of Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (photo) to a four-year term. Mr Jonathan sealed a pact with Nigerians promising to turn their dreams into reality while declaring that the years of locust and cankerworm were over. In his inaugural speech, President Jonathan cut the picture of a combatant on the battle front that is ready to fight to lift the standard of living of every Nigerian. He said: “I will continue to fight for your future because I am one of you. I will continue to fight … Continue reading →

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Ugandan opposition leaders to take their case to London

Posted on May 29, 2011 by

By Senior Staff Writer Ugandan opposition leaders are set to meet in London next month to try and explain their disastrous performance during this year’s general elections when they ended up with a paltry 58 seats, giving the ruling National Resistance Movement of President Yoweri Museveni 317 seats.  All the major opposition political parties have accepted an invitation to address a convention to be held at the University of East London on June 11 this year. Hosted by Uganda Federal Confederates (UFC), the convention, whose theme is ‘Embracing federalism is embracing diversity’, will give Uganda’s opposition parties a chance to explain what went wrong in last February’s general election that … Continue reading →

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World deserts Gaddafi as G8 offers support for democracy in Africa

Posted on May 27, 2011 by

Leaders of the G8 countries arriving at their recently concluded summit in Deauville, France. From Henry Gombya in Deauville; additional reporting by agency reports French President Nicholas Sarkozy has dismissed suggestions by Russian President Medvedev offering to negotiate an end to the crisis in Libya. During a meeting at the G8 summit that has just ended here, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev offered to help in negotiating a safe exit for President Muammar el-Gaddafi from Libya. Russia signalled it was ready to mediate in the crisis and Moscow’s special representative on Africa, Mikhail Margelov, told reporters Russia had contacts in Gaddafi’s entourage. But President Sarkozy said: “Mediation is not possible with Gaddafi.” Other … Continue reading →

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