Monthly Archives: October 2011

Kenyan troops to remain in Somalia until Al-Shabaab is gone

Posted on October 31, 2011 by

From Collins Wanzala in Nairobi Kenyan troops will remain in Somalia until the common border with Somalia is secured from the threats of the terror Al- Shabaab group. This was said by Kenya’s Chief of Defense Forces General Julius Karangi during press a press briefing at the Department of Defense (DOD) Saturday. Gen Karangi said the Al-Shabaab posed a serious threat to the country and as such the military will continue to pursue them. He said that Kenya was not interested in acquiring Somali territory but flushing out the Al- Shabaab members. “When the Kenya government and the people of this country feel that they are safe enough from the Al … Continue reading →

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Huge treasure theft carried out in Benghazi

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

By Staff Writer A priceless collection of coins known as the Treasure of Benghazi has been stolen, in what is suspected to be an inside job. Many of the items in the collection date back to the time of Alexander the Great. It is being described as one of the biggest heists in archaeological history. A priceless collection of 7,700 gold, silver and bronze coins from ancient times —known as the Treasure of Benghazi — was stolen when a gang drilled through the concrete ceiling of an underground vault. An expert described it last week as “one of the greatest thefts in archaeological history”, with many of the items dating … Continue reading →

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Letter From Kampala: Welcome to Africa’s dirtiest city

Posted on October 29, 2011 by

From Guyson Nangayi in Kampala   After corruption finishing its tour in all of Uganda’s financial sectors, high government institutions and all big offices across the country, it has now decided to finish its tour down at the local level and this is now seen in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. It is situated 40 km north of Uganda’s international airport Entebbe on Lake Victoria, and  with a population of 1,208,544 (2002), and is the country’s only  city located at  0°19′N, 32°35′E, at 1,190 m (3,900 ft) above sea level. The capital city of any country in the world is the heart of that country and is where all … Continue reading →

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Al-Shabaab grenade attacker gets life just days after arrest

Posted on October 29, 2011 by

From Collins Wanzala in Nairobi Elgiva Bwire Oliacha appearing in a Nairobi court early this week. Elgiva Bwire Oliacha, the man who just a few days ago confessed to being a member of Al-Shabaab militia of Somalia and pleaded guilty to carrying out a Nairobi grenade attack early this week that killed one person and injured more than 30 others, has been sentenced to life imprisonment. The 28-year-old was arraigned in court Wednesday in connection with an arms cache found in a house in Nairobi’s Kayole Estate and confessed to being a member of Al-Shabaab. Appearing before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Gilbert Mutembei on Friday for the second time, Oliacha was … Continue reading →

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Qatari forces to remain in Libya after NATO leaves

Posted on October 27, 2011 by

Hundreds of Qatari soldiers joined rebel forces as they battled Muammar Qaddafi’s troops, a military official said yesterday, shedding fresh light on the extent of the country’s military involvement in Libya. Doha has been at the forefront in supporting the eight-month Libyan uprising, which ended when Qaddafi was captured and killed last week. Along with the UAE, the nation lent the support of its air force to Nato-led operations to protect civilians and was the first Arab country to recognise the rebel council as representing the Libyan people. But Major General Hamad bin Ali Attiya’s comments yesterday at a meeting in Doha of military allies of Libya’s National Transitional Council … Continue reading →

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Udubland leader supports Kenyan incursion into Somalia

Posted on October 26, 2011 by

From Collins Wanzala in Nairobi The President of the Udubland region in in Southern Somalia Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi Addow has said that he fully supported the Kenyan Defence Forces and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces offensive against the Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia. Speaking at the Medina hall in Eastleigh where he met residents of the region residing in Kenya, Mr Addow said that he regretted the recent unfortunate incidents committed by the Al-Shabaab fighters on the Kenyan soils before the Kenyan Defense crossed to Somalia in hunt of them and described them as cowardly actions. He said that his region will fully support and give assistance to the Kenyan troops … Continue reading →

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Calls for investigation after NTC executes 54 Gaddafi loyalists

Posted on October 24, 2011 by

The bodies of 53 Gaddafi loyalists have been found at a hotel in the Libyan city of Sirte after apparently being executed, a human rights group says. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the victims – some of whom had their hands bound – died about a week ago. It is the latest accusation of atrocities in Libya committed by both sides during the eight-month conflict. Libya’s new rulers have denied any involvement in abuses and have urged Libyans to forego reprisal attacks. The discovery comes a day after jubilant crowds across the country took to the streets as the interim government declared national liberation, three days after the death of … Continue reading →

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The ill-gotten wealth at the Kilamba Housing Project in Angola – Conclusion

Posted on October 23, 2011 by

In the final part of his investigations, Rafael Marques de Morais continues his long series of investigative reporting on corruption (Maka) in Angola. This report concludes yesterday’s article (on this page) on the Kilamba Building Project in the, suburb of Luanda. It is paid for and built by the Chinese, who will receive large quantities of oil in repayment. Vicente and Kopelipa are major beneficiaries. The prices of the houses are far beyond what ordinary people can pay, so will go to the political and economic elites. This investigation focuses exclusively on the management of the project and its transparency. Delta Imobiliária – Sociedade de Promoção, Gestão e Mediação S.A, … Continue reading →

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Why many Africans are sad about Gaddafi’s demise

Posted on October 23, 2011 by

While Libya’s former rebels and many Western nations welcomed the end of the country’s long and brutal dictatorship, many sub-Saharan Africans are mourning the death of Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, celebrated as much for his largesse as for his willingness to stand up to the West. To them, his violent death was another sad chapter in a long-running narrative of Western powers meddling in Africa’s affairs. “We are the one per cent that is not celebrating,” said Salim Abdul, who helps run a major mosque in Uganda’s capital named for the former Libyan leader, who provided the money to build it. “He loved Uganda,” said Mr. Abdul in an interview at … Continue reading →

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Al-Shabaab planning attacks on Kenyan churches

Posted on October 23, 2011 by

From TLEP Correspondent in Nairobi Police in Kenya have warned of a possible attack by the Al-Shabaab in the country and advised Churches to be more vigilant and report any suspicious persons. The warning came as the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) called on the international community to impose a blockade on the port of Kismayu to counter Al-Shabaab and strangle their source of income. During a 41st extra-ordinary session of the IGAD council of ministers held Friday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, chaired by Ethiopia`s deputy Prime Minister and current IGAD chairperson Hailemariam Desalegn and attended by among others Kenya’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister Moses Wetangula Mr Yusuf Haji … Continue reading →

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