KAMPALA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan military is to replace the 1,600 peacekeepers in volatile Somalia with a new contingent amidst increased attacks on the force, a military spokesman has said.
Maj. Paddy Ankunda, Uganda People's Defense Force spokesman told Xinhua by telephone on Monday that the new contingent, which is to be deployed 'soon', has finalized its training and is ready for Somalia.
"The attacks won't affect our deployment," said Ankunda, confirming reports that two Ugandan peacekeepers have been killed by Islamic militants in the last two days.
The militants are reported to have killed one peacekeeper on Monday, a day after the other was killed while on routine patrol in the capital of Mogadishu, bringing the number of those dead to seven since the East African country deployed in Somalia in March 2007.
Ankunda said the redeployment is a requirement by the African Union (AU) that forces on a peace keeping mission are rotated after every three months.
Uganda last month called for UN intervention in the lawless horn of African country, noting other African countries which promised to send troops have failed to honor their pledge and yet the situation is deteriorating.
The AU authorized the deployment of 8,000 troops but only 2,600peacekeepers from Uganda and Burundi are on the ground amidst escalating violence.
Since the Somali government backed by Ethiopian troops ousted the Islamist in December 2006, the militants have resorted to carrying out almost daily attacks against Ethiopian troops, Somali government forces and AU peacekeepers.
Somalia has lacked an effective central authority since the 1991 ouster of military strongman Mohamed Siad Barre.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Chinese spacemen no match for NASA – or are they?
Fears grow in the U.S. space agency over their ability to keep supremacy in space. Heated clashes between NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and the White House escalated after budget officials dropped his concerns over the Chinese space programme out of his draft statement to Congress.
In the draft speech Griffin warned in strong terms that Beijing’s space ambitions may hit hard on the U.S. image worldwide."A Chinese landing on the Moon prior to our own return will create a stark perception that the U.S. lags behind not only Russia, but also China, in space," he wrote.He added: "The bare fact of this accomplishment will have an enormous, and not fully predictable, effect on global perceptions of U.S. leadership in the world."The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviewed the document and deleted several passages before it went to Congress in March dropping out most of its sense of urgency, reports the Washington Post.Griffin was quick to tone down his comments after the original text leaked last week, saying he valued advice from the OMB and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), but two senior NASA officials told the newspaper that it accurately reflected the growing strains.China, the prospect space nationChina became the third nation in the world capable of launching manned space vehicles in 2003. Yang Liwei spent 21 hours in Earths orbit in the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft marking a remarkable breakthrough for the country. The second launch took place in 2005. A third one is scheduled for September 25 this year.Among Beijing’s more distant space projects is a mission to the Moon. China has already launched its first lunar orbiting spacecraft Chang'e 1, which probed space between Earth and the Moon and mapped spots for future landings. A manned expedition is planned for 2024.No American crew on the ISS?The tension between the U.S. and Russia that followed the South Ossetian war has cast doubts over the American mission to the International Space Station. NASA scraps the Space Shuttle programme in 2010, with only the Russian Souz spacecraft remaining to take the ISS crews into orbit for at least five years.With the relations between the two countries at a low, there are fears that the U.S. Congress may ban NASA from buying the rides from Russia thus making Americans drop out of the multibillion dollar project. Griffin was very vocal when voicing his concerns over the issue.
The meltdown
Lehman files for bankruptcy. Merrill is bought by Bank of America. The Fed and major banks expand lending. Anxiety lingers.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Wall Street was a vastly different world Monday from what it looked like just days earlier, following one of the most harrowing days in the history of U.S. financial industry.
In less than a day, Lehman Brothers, one of the nation's oldest investment banks, filed for bankruptcy - the largest ever announced in the United States. And Bank of America executed a bold and swift $50 billion takeover of Merrill Lynch, while the fate of other brand-name financial institutions remained in doubt.
Anxiety was palpable in the financial community Monday. The Dow Jones industrial average plunged more than 2.5% just after the opening bell, before paring some of those losses.
"The magnitude of the surprise fits with what we are seeing in the market today," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist for Jefferies & Co.
Driving much of the fear was a decision by Lehman to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Lehman, whose fate was in doubt for much of last week, made its intentions known shortly after midnight as talks aimed at saving the 158-year-old firm failed.
Lehman (LEH, Fortune 500) shares, which lost 94% of their value this year as of Friday, were nearly worthless after markets opened Monday.
Different divisions of Lehman offered reassurances to nervous clients Monday. Still, both analysts and rating agencies slashed their assessment of the once-mighty investment bank.
Lehman's endgame capped what proved to be a long weekend for top Wall Street executives and regulators, who held marathon talks to try to craft a rescue plan for the embattled investment bank.
Many had hoped a buyer would emerge, most notably the British bank Barclays or Bank of America. Instead, both suitors pulled out, with Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) instead entering merger talks with the brokerage giant Merrill Lynch (MER, Fortune 500). By early Monday, the two had announced that BofA had bought Merrill for $50 billion in stock.
Merrill, known for with its famous bull logo, has been an icon of Wall Street and investing in America. Still, billions in losses in the last year due to fallout in the U.S. mortgage market proved too much for the 94-year old firm.
Certainly, the disappearance of Merrill Lynch and Lehman will result in heavy job losses in the already hard-hit financial services industry.
Lehman Brothers employees, which totaled some 26,000 as of the end of June, were seen carting off their belongings from corporate headquarters in midtown Manhattan as early as Sunday evening. Still, company officials at either Lehman or Merrill provided little indication about how many jobs would be lost as a result of Monday's announcement.
Wall Street firms have lost close to 10,000 jobs, or more than 5% of the work force, so far this year, according to the latest figures from the New York State Department of Labor.
Confident in 'challenging' time
And the fears were not isolated to Lehman. Investors found themselves knee deep in other concerns.
Shares of the insurance giant American International Group (AIG, Fortune 500) lost more than half their value Monday as the market nervously waited for the company to announce a restructuring plan. The move, which was rumored as early as Sunday evening, is expected to include a sale of part of its business to raise desperately needed cash and boost investors' confidence, according to published reports.
The company has suffered steep losses in recent months and now faces the possibility of having its credit rating cut.
Washington Mutual (WM, Fortune 500), the nation's largest savings-and-loan, saw its shares tumble 33% in early trading, amid concerns that it might not have enough capital to ride out the crisis.
Other major financial institutions took pre-emptive steps to try and calm both investors and employees.
Citigroup (C, Fortune 500), which has been one of the hardest hit firms in the ongoing credit crisis due to billions of dollars in losses, stressed the underlying health of the firm Monday morning.
In an internal memo to all Citigroup employees, newly installed CEO Vikram Pandit reiterated the firm's strength and previously announced restructuring efforts aimed at righting the troubled financial firm.
"We are confident about the future despite a very challenging time," Pandit said.
Hoping to provide some comfort to Main Street, President Bush acknowledged the market turmoil Monday, but said that the government was working to correct the problems.
"We are working to reduce disruptions and minimize the impact on the [broader economy]," said Bush, speaking at the White House Rose Garden.
The weekend's developments are certain to result in very real impacts to everyday Americans. Having suffered billions of dollars in losses and more looming ahead, financial institutions will most likely make it more difficult for consumers to gain access to credit including mortgages, auto loans and credit cards and most expensive to boot.
Drastic measures
The Lehman and Bank of America-Merrill news, while important, proved not to be the only development over the weekend.
In order to try and calm the markets, the Federal Reserve announced plans late Sunday to loosen its lending restrictions to the banking industry.
The Fed said it would expand its short-term lending to banks by starting to take all investment-grade debt as collateral - instead of just Treasurys and other high-grade securities.
"The steps we are announcing today, along with significant commitments from the private sector, are intended to mitigate the potential risks and disruptions to markets," said Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.
Similarly, a consortium of 10 leading domestic and foreign banks had agreed to create a $70 billion fund to lend to troubled financial firms. The group, which included, among others, Goldman Sachs (GS, Fortune 500), Citigroup, Barclays and Morgan Stanley, agreed to pony up $7 billion each to create a $70 billion lending pool to help troubled institutions.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who along with Bernanke, has spearheaded efforts to help get the U.S. housing market and the broader economy back on track, applauded the steps taken by regulators and top banking executives.
"These initiatives will be critical to facilitating liquid, smooth functioning markets, and addressing potential concerns in the credit markets," Paulson said in a statement.
During the weekend talks, the Treasury Department stressed its opposition to using any government money to help finance a takeover, restructuring or bailout of Lehman.
Top banking regulators, including the Federal Reserve, faced heavy criticism from lawmakers following the bailout of Bear Stearns in mid-March.
The Fed helped engineer a fire sale of the firm to JPMorgan Chase (JPM, Fortune 500), agreeing to put taxpayer funds at risk by guaranteeing $29 billion's worth of potential losses on Bear Stearns' portfolio.
Sunday's news also garnered attention from the campaign trail, as both candidates weighed in. Sen. John McCain praised the Fed and the Treasury for avoiding engaging in a bailout of Wall Street, blaming the Lehman collapse on "ineffective regulation and management."
Sen. Barack Obama called the developments "troubling," stressing the need to modernize regulation that oversees both Wall Street and broader financial markets
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Wall Street was a vastly different world Monday from what it looked like just days earlier, following one of the most harrowing days in the history of U.S. financial industry.
In less than a day, Lehman Brothers, one of the nation's oldest investment banks, filed for bankruptcy - the largest ever announced in the United States. And Bank of America executed a bold and swift $50 billion takeover of Merrill Lynch, while the fate of other brand-name financial institutions remained in doubt.
Anxiety was palpable in the financial community Monday. The Dow Jones industrial average plunged more than 2.5% just after the opening bell, before paring some of those losses.
"The magnitude of the surprise fits with what we are seeing in the market today," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist for Jefferies & Co.
Driving much of the fear was a decision by Lehman to file for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Lehman, whose fate was in doubt for much of last week, made its intentions known shortly after midnight as talks aimed at saving the 158-year-old firm failed.
Lehman (LEH, Fortune 500) shares, which lost 94% of their value this year as of Friday, were nearly worthless after markets opened Monday.
Different divisions of Lehman offered reassurances to nervous clients Monday. Still, both analysts and rating agencies slashed their assessment of the once-mighty investment bank.
Lehman's endgame capped what proved to be a long weekend for top Wall Street executives and regulators, who held marathon talks to try to craft a rescue plan for the embattled investment bank.
Many had hoped a buyer would emerge, most notably the British bank Barclays or Bank of America. Instead, both suitors pulled out, with Bank of America (BAC, Fortune 500) instead entering merger talks with the brokerage giant Merrill Lynch (MER, Fortune 500). By early Monday, the two had announced that BofA had bought Merrill for $50 billion in stock.
Merrill, known for with its famous bull logo, has been an icon of Wall Street and investing in America. Still, billions in losses in the last year due to fallout in the U.S. mortgage market proved too much for the 94-year old firm.
Certainly, the disappearance of Merrill Lynch and Lehman will result in heavy job losses in the already hard-hit financial services industry.
Lehman Brothers employees, which totaled some 26,000 as of the end of June, were seen carting off their belongings from corporate headquarters in midtown Manhattan as early as Sunday evening. Still, company officials at either Lehman or Merrill provided little indication about how many jobs would be lost as a result of Monday's announcement.
Wall Street firms have lost close to 10,000 jobs, or more than 5% of the work force, so far this year, according to the latest figures from the New York State Department of Labor.
Confident in 'challenging' time
And the fears were not isolated to Lehman. Investors found themselves knee deep in other concerns.
Shares of the insurance giant American International Group (AIG, Fortune 500) lost more than half their value Monday as the market nervously waited for the company to announce a restructuring plan. The move, which was rumored as early as Sunday evening, is expected to include a sale of part of its business to raise desperately needed cash and boost investors' confidence, according to published reports.
The company has suffered steep losses in recent months and now faces the possibility of having its credit rating cut.
Washington Mutual (WM, Fortune 500), the nation's largest savings-and-loan, saw its shares tumble 33% in early trading, amid concerns that it might not have enough capital to ride out the crisis.
Other major financial institutions took pre-emptive steps to try and calm both investors and employees.
Citigroup (C, Fortune 500), which has been one of the hardest hit firms in the ongoing credit crisis due to billions of dollars in losses, stressed the underlying health of the firm Monday morning.
In an internal memo to all Citigroup employees, newly installed CEO Vikram Pandit reiterated the firm's strength and previously announced restructuring efforts aimed at righting the troubled financial firm.
"We are confident about the future despite a very challenging time," Pandit said.
Hoping to provide some comfort to Main Street, President Bush acknowledged the market turmoil Monday, but said that the government was working to correct the problems.
"We are working to reduce disruptions and minimize the impact on the [broader economy]," said Bush, speaking at the White House Rose Garden.
The weekend's developments are certain to result in very real impacts to everyday Americans. Having suffered billions of dollars in losses and more looming ahead, financial institutions will most likely make it more difficult for consumers to gain access to credit including mortgages, auto loans and credit cards and most expensive to boot.
Drastic measures
The Lehman and Bank of America-Merrill news, while important, proved not to be the only development over the weekend.
In order to try and calm the markets, the Federal Reserve announced plans late Sunday to loosen its lending restrictions to the banking industry.
The Fed said it would expand its short-term lending to banks by starting to take all investment-grade debt as collateral - instead of just Treasurys and other high-grade securities.
"The steps we are announcing today, along with significant commitments from the private sector, are intended to mitigate the potential risks and disruptions to markets," said Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.
Similarly, a consortium of 10 leading domestic and foreign banks had agreed to create a $70 billion fund to lend to troubled financial firms. The group, which included, among others, Goldman Sachs (GS, Fortune 500), Citigroup, Barclays and Morgan Stanley, agreed to pony up $7 billion each to create a $70 billion lending pool to help troubled institutions.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who along with Bernanke, has spearheaded efforts to help get the U.S. housing market and the broader economy back on track, applauded the steps taken by regulators and top banking executives.
"These initiatives will be critical to facilitating liquid, smooth functioning markets, and addressing potential concerns in the credit markets," Paulson said in a statement.
During the weekend talks, the Treasury Department stressed its opposition to using any government money to help finance a takeover, restructuring or bailout of Lehman.
Top banking regulators, including the Federal Reserve, faced heavy criticism from lawmakers following the bailout of Bear Stearns in mid-March.
The Fed helped engineer a fire sale of the firm to JPMorgan Chase (JPM, Fortune 500), agreeing to put taxpayer funds at risk by guaranteeing $29 billion's worth of potential losses on Bear Stearns' portfolio.
Sunday's news also garnered attention from the campaign trail, as both candidates weighed in. Sen. John McCain praised the Fed and the Treasury for avoiding engaging in a bailout of Wall Street, blaming the Lehman collapse on "ineffective regulation and management."
Sen. Barack Obama called the developments "troubling," stressing the need to modernize regulation that oversees both Wall Street and broader financial markets
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Details of Zimbabwe deal emerge
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is to retain control of the army and chair cabinet meetings, according to leaks of Thursday's power-sharing deal.
Mr Coltart said that Mr Mugabe would have “greatly reduced powers to those he enjoys today”. There would also be two largely ceremonial vice-presidents from Mr Mugabe’s Zanu (PF).
As prime minister, Mr Tsvangirai “does not have absolute power but he does have substantial power”, Mr Coltart, who was present at the launch of the MDC nine years ago, said.
Mr Tsvangirai is to advise Mr Mugabe on all future appointments such as judges and ambassadors, though whether he will be able to compel the president to heed his advice is uncertain.
Underneath Mr Tsvangirai will be two deputy prime ministers, one from MDC-T, Mr Tsvangirai’s faction, and one from MDC-M, a rival faction headed by Arthur Mutambara.
Mr Coltart admitted the arrangement for conducting government business – at the heart of the impasse of the last weeks’ negotiations - was “slightly cumbersome”. Mr Mugabe is to chair the Cabinet, while Mr Tsvangirai will be the vice-chair. The Cabinet will largely reflect the votes cast for the various parties in the March election – in which Zanu PF claims it got the most votes, if not the most parliamentary seats.
Zanu PF will have 15 seats while MDC-T will have 13 and MDC-M three.
“If the two MDC factions work together, which they must in the national interest, they will enjoy a majority in Cabinet,” said Mr Coltart, who is a senator for Mr Mutambara’s faction.
The work of the Cabinet will be overseen by a council of ministers headed by Mr Tsvangirai. A source close to the talks quoted by Agence France-Presse said that all decisions woul
d be made by the council, though it would have to report back to Mr Mugabe.
“Power will be shared, no one will get more power than the other party, even (in) the hiring and firing of cabinet members,” the source explained.
Western powers reacted to news of the deal with caution. The European Commission said it welcomed “this significant step forward“ but said it would have to wait until full details of the agreement were unveiled.
“At this stage we are cautiously optimistic,” said John Clancy, commission spokesman on humanitarian aid and development issues.
The European Union said it was reconsidering its plans to extend its sanctions against Zimbabwe, following the Harare deal, according to the French EU presidency.
But a presidency official said the deal did not exonerate those guilty of committing pre-election violence. The MDC and human rights groups have accused Mr Mugabe’s militias of a brutal campaign of intimidation ahead of the presidential run-off vote.
“They are not going to escape responsibility,” the official said. “You need to bear that in mind as well.”
Within Zimbabwe, there was some scepticism as to how much control Mr Mugabe would really relinquish.
Lovemore Madhuku, head of the National Constitutional Assembly Pressure Group, said the deal was “more of a capitulation by the MDC”, which was coming in as a “junior partner”. Mr Tsvangirai would only have “some cosmetic executive authority”, he speculated.
John Makumbe, a political analyst and critic of Mr Mugabe, said: “The deal will hold depending on who will have control of the cohesive machinery of the state. If these are still in Mugabe’s hands the deal will unravel and we will soon be back to the negotiating table.”
Yesterday, analysts said that machinery was still firmly under Mr Mugabe's control. “The infrastructure for state-sponsored violence is still in place”, said Martin Rupiyah, director of African research at Cranfield University.
Mr Coltart, the senator from Bulawayo, acknowledged the “long and treacherous road” ahead, saying that the grave humanitarian and economic crises facing Zimbabwe were enough to test even a united government.
Zimbabwe’s economy has imploded over the past decade with inflation soaring to its current rate of 11.2 million per cent. A third of the country’s 12 million citizens have fled and those who remain face chronic food shortages and health problems. Infrastructure has all but collapsed, Aids is rampant and life expectancy is now the world’s lowest.
Mr Coltart said: “The new Cabinet that will have to address these challenges is composed of protagonists – virtually all of the Cabinet Ministers to be appointed by the MDC T and M have at some stage in the last 9 years been brutalized on the instructions of those they will now have to work with.
“Zimbabwe remains highly polarised and it will take statesmanship on all sides to make this work.”
Mr Coltart said that Mr Mugabe would have “greatly reduced powers to those he enjoys today”. There would also be two largely ceremonial vice-presidents from Mr Mugabe’s Zanu (PF).
As prime minister, Mr Tsvangirai “does not have absolute power but he does have substantial power”, Mr Coltart, who was present at the launch of the MDC nine years ago, said.
Mr Tsvangirai is to advise Mr Mugabe on all future appointments such as judges and ambassadors, though whether he will be able to compel the president to heed his advice is uncertain.
Underneath Mr Tsvangirai will be two deputy prime ministers, one from MDC-T, Mr Tsvangirai’s faction, and one from MDC-M, a rival faction headed by Arthur Mutambara.
Mr Coltart admitted the arrangement for conducting government business – at the heart of the impasse of the last weeks’ negotiations - was “slightly cumbersome”. Mr Mugabe is to chair the Cabinet, while Mr Tsvangirai will be the vice-chair. The Cabinet will largely reflect the votes cast for the various parties in the March election – in which Zanu PF claims it got the most votes, if not the most parliamentary seats.
Zanu PF will have 15 seats while MDC-T will have 13 and MDC-M three.
“If the two MDC factions work together, which they must in the national interest, they will enjoy a majority in Cabinet,” said Mr Coltart, who is a senator for Mr Mutambara’s faction.
The work of the Cabinet will be overseen by a council of ministers headed by Mr Tsvangirai. A source close to the talks quoted by Agence France-Presse said that all decisions woul
d be made by the council, though it would have to report back to Mr Mugabe.
“Power will be shared, no one will get more power than the other party, even (in) the hiring and firing of cabinet members,” the source explained.
Western powers reacted to news of the deal with caution. The European Commission said it welcomed “this significant step forward“ but said it would have to wait until full details of the agreement were unveiled.
“At this stage we are cautiously optimistic,” said John Clancy, commission spokesman on humanitarian aid and development issues.
The European Union said it was reconsidering its plans to extend its sanctions against Zimbabwe, following the Harare deal, according to the French EU presidency.
But a presidency official said the deal did not exonerate those guilty of committing pre-election violence. The MDC and human rights groups have accused Mr Mugabe’s militias of a brutal campaign of intimidation ahead of the presidential run-off vote.
“They are not going to escape responsibility,” the official said. “You need to bear that in mind as well.”
Within Zimbabwe, there was some scepticism as to how much control Mr Mugabe would really relinquish.
Lovemore Madhuku, head of the National Constitutional Assembly Pressure Group, said the deal was “more of a capitulation by the MDC”, which was coming in as a “junior partner”. Mr Tsvangirai would only have “some cosmetic executive authority”, he speculated.
John Makumbe, a political analyst and critic of Mr Mugabe, said: “The deal will hold depending on who will have control of the cohesive machinery of the state. If these are still in Mugabe’s hands the deal will unravel and we will soon be back to the negotiating table.”
Yesterday, analysts said that machinery was still firmly under Mr Mugabe's control. “The infrastructure for state-sponsored violence is still in place”, said Martin Rupiyah, director of African research at Cranfield University.
Mr Coltart, the senator from Bulawayo, acknowledged the “long and treacherous road” ahead, saying that the grave humanitarian and economic crises facing Zimbabwe were enough to test even a united government.
Zimbabwe’s economy has imploded over the past decade with inflation soaring to its current rate of 11.2 million per cent. A third of the country’s 12 million citizens have fled and those who remain face chronic food shortages and health problems. Infrastructure has all but collapsed, Aids is rampant and life expectancy is now the world’s lowest.
Mr Coltart said: “The new Cabinet that will have to address these challenges is composed of protagonists – virtually all of the Cabinet Ministers to be appointed by the MDC T and M have at some stage in the last 9 years been brutalized on the instructions of those they will now have to work with.
“Zimbabwe remains highly polarised and it will take statesmanship on all sides to make this work.”
MBEKI FACES PRESSURE TO RESIGN
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has come under renewed pressure to resign after a High Court judgement.
JOHANNESBURG (AFP) — A court judgment implying South African President Thabo Mbeki's government meddled in a graft case against his chief rival will be discussed by the ruling party this week, officials said Sunday.
"We will look into the judgment and the implications thereof," African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Gwede Mantashe told AFP, saying there was no specific meeting to discuss Mbeki.
A South African high court on Friday threw out a corruption case against party leader Jacob Zuma, paving a clear route to him becoming the country's president in next year's elections.
Weekend media reported the ANC would discuss Mbeki's future, after the court pointed to "baleful political influence" in the decision to charge Zuma.
Mbeki would "be pushed on (to) his sword if he can't fall on his sword," an unnamed ANC official was quoted as saying in the Sunday Times.
The Sunday Independent reported moves were underway to install Zuma as president without an early election being called, the newspaper said.
The City Press, quoting the ANC chief whip Nathi Mthethwa, said ANC members of parliament would caucus on how to deal with Mbeki when the house reconvened in two weeks.
Fired by Mbeki as deputy president in 2005 after being implicated in graft, he was recharged 10 days after he ousted Mbeki as party president last December.
"The timing of the indictment (...) after the President suffered a political defeat at Polokwane was most unfortunate," Judge Chris Nicholson told the Pietermaritzburg high court Friday.
Zuma's assertion of "political meddling in his prosecution" was not incorrect, the judge said.
The ruling was handed down the day after Mbeki brokered a deal in Zimbabwe's political crisis which he is mediating on behalf of the region.
The deal is expected to be officially signed in Harare on Monday.
On Friday, Mbeki's office said it was "certainly not aware of any fact that may have led to the conclusion that there was executive interference."
The presidency would study the judgement further, it said.
In Friday's case the judge stressed the decision to throw out the case was not a reflection of Zuma's guilt or innocence but a technical decision based on Zuma' right to make representations before being recharged.
The ANC will hold two high level meetings this week.
"We will look into the judgment and the implications thereof," African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Gwede Mantashe told AFP, saying there was no specific meeting to discuss Mbeki.
A South African high court on Friday threw out a corruption case against party leader Jacob Zuma, paving a clear route to him becoming the country's president in next year's elections.
Weekend media reported the ANC would discuss Mbeki's future, after the court pointed to "baleful political influence" in the decision to charge Zuma.
Mbeki would "be pushed on (to) his sword if he can't fall on his sword," an unnamed ANC official was quoted as saying in the Sunday Times.
The Sunday Independent reported moves were underway to install Zuma as president without an early election being called, the newspaper said.
The City Press, quoting the ANC chief whip Nathi Mthethwa, said ANC members of parliament would caucus on how to deal with Mbeki when the house reconvened in two weeks.
Fired by Mbeki as deputy president in 2005 after being implicated in graft, he was recharged 10 days after he ousted Mbeki as party president last December.
"The timing of the indictment (...) after the President suffered a political defeat at Polokwane was most unfortunate," Judge Chris Nicholson told the Pietermaritzburg high court Friday.
Zuma's assertion of "political meddling in his prosecution" was not incorrect, the judge said.
The ruling was handed down the day after Mbeki brokered a deal in Zimbabwe's political crisis which he is mediating on behalf of the region.
The deal is expected to be officially signed in Harare on Monday.
On Friday, Mbeki's office said it was "certainly not aware of any fact that may have led to the conclusion that there was executive interference."
The presidency would study the judgement further, it said.
In Friday's case the judge stressed the decision to throw out the case was not a reflection of Zuma's guilt or innocence but a technical decision based on Zuma' right to make representations before being recharged.
The ANC will hold two high level meetings this week.
Nigeria militants warn of oil war
Militants in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta region say they have "declared war" on the government after battling security forces guarding facilities.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it was responding to attacks by the military.
The military said it had repelled several Mend attacks. Both sides say their opponents suffered heavy losses.
Mend's violent campaign for a bigger part of the area's oil wealth has cut Nigeria's oil output by more than 20%.
Mend militants are the largest of several armed groups operating in the impoverished delta region. They frequently kidnap foreign oil workers and sabotage oil installations and pipelines.
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'adua is under pressure to crack down on the militants and make the delta safer for international oil firms.
Lawless region
In an email released by Mend, the group said it had launched an "oil war" on the government in response to what it described as unprovoked aerial attacks on its bases in the Niger Delta.
The group said its heavily-armed fighters had fanned out in hundreds of boats to attack oil installations in Rivers state.
"The operation will continue until the government of Nigeria appreciates that the solution to peace in the Niger Delta is justice, respect and dialogue," the group said.
An oil platform at Kula, operated by oil giant Chevron, was among the facilities targeted, Mend said, adding that 22 Nigerian troops had been killed in the attack.
A Nigerian military spokesman said they had repelled an attack on an oil platform operated by the US company, Chevron. He said the militants had suffered heavy casualties.
The Niger Delta region is the source of most of the Nigerian government's income, yet it remains blighted by poverty and corruption.
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it was responding to attacks by the military.
The military said it had repelled several Mend attacks. Both sides say their opponents suffered heavy losses.
Mend's violent campaign for a bigger part of the area's oil wealth has cut Nigeria's oil output by more than 20%.
Mend militants are the largest of several armed groups operating in the impoverished delta region. They frequently kidnap foreign oil workers and sabotage oil installations and pipelines.
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'adua is under pressure to crack down on the militants and make the delta safer for international oil firms.
Lawless region
In an email released by Mend, the group said it had launched an "oil war" on the government in response to what it described as unprovoked aerial attacks on its bases in the Niger Delta.
The group said its heavily-armed fighters had fanned out in hundreds of boats to attack oil installations in Rivers state.
"The operation will continue until the government of Nigeria appreciates that the solution to peace in the Niger Delta is justice, respect and dialogue," the group said.
An oil platform at Kula, operated by oil giant Chevron, was among the facilities targeted, Mend said, adding that 22 Nigerian troops had been killed in the attack.
A Nigerian military spokesman said they had repelled an attack on an oil platform operated by the US company, Chevron. He said the militants had suffered heavy casualties.
The Niger Delta region is the source of most of the Nigerian government's income, yet it remains blighted by poverty and corruption.
Make use of bank's loan facilities, urges JK
President Jakaya Kikwete has asked Simanjiro residents to come up with business proposals to access loans from the newly-inaugurated National Microfinance Bank (NMB) branch in the district. He told a public rally at Orkesumit on Friday that banks and other financial institutions were willing to support people's business initiatives provided they submitted viable proposals. "Do not just go to the bank empty handed and ask for loans. You need sound business proposals to secure the loans," said the president. He also advised them to form small groups that would evenly give them access to credit facilities. President Kikwete urged the residents to develop a culture of saving part of their income in the banks than in their houses, which, he said, was risky.The NMB branch is the first banking institution in the district. Previously, one had to travel to Arusha or Kiteto to get such services. Meanwhile, the NMB Chairman, Mr Misheck Ngatunga, said the Simanjiro branch was one of the 15 new branches to be inaugurated through the country. He said other branches to be launched this month include those in Kilindi, Rukwa, Kilole, Misenyi, Mvomero, Mukikombe and Longido. More branches will be opened next month in Tandahimba, Namtobo, Chato and Mkuranga. By December, Mr Ngatunga said his bank will have also opened branches in Rorya, Bahi and Mkunyumbu.
Friday, September 12, 2008
University dons worry over own handiwork
The Engineers Registration Board (ERB) has hired independent consultants from the University of Dar es Salaam Bureau of Industrial Cooperation (BICO) to examine the safety of the 11-storey building at Zanaki Street in Dar es Salaam. The decision follows fear and widespread rumours that the building might collapse anytime – since it has started leaning on adjacent buildings.
The structure was put up some eight years ago - and it is largely used as a residential complex. The ERB Registrar, Mr Steven Mlote and other officials of the board yesterday visited the building and thereafter told the 'Daily News' that the ERB was concerned with people’s fear and therefore they had decided to hire consultants to establish its safety. He said they had questioned engineers who constructed the building but whose explanations were not satisfactory. The registrar noted that Bico would examine generally all parts of the building and conduct non-destructive test. Mr Mlote however could hesitate to show his doubt over capacity and size of the elevator which is very small and with only one door. On Wednesday and yesterday scores of people thronged to the area to witness ‘what could have been another incident of building collapse in the city’. Some families staying in the building said that it had always been nightmarish and worrisome to use the elevator and therefore embark on cumbersome and tiresome task of climbing the building on foot. The building seemed to lean on the other four-storey building. According to ERB officials, the two buildings, should at least, be three metres apart. Families staying in the building were unrestful and panicked as the crowd was looking at the building. “Our life here is at jeopardy, we do not know what will happen to us as rumours are everywhere that the building is going to collapse. We appeal to the government to act fast and provide advice on what to do,” said one tenant. One passer-by, Hassan Salum, said that the government should order evacuation of tenants from the building while waiting for consultants to do their tasks. About two months ago on the same Zanaki Street a ten-storey building under construction collapsed, claiming life of one person.Information have it that there are at least 100 buildings in the country which are at risk of collapsing.
End to World Bank's Chad oil deal
The World Bank has cancelled an oil pipeline deal with Chad after a dispute with the government over failed pledges to use profits to tackle poverty.
The bank said Chad had also failed to use revenues on health and education.
It said Chad had paid the outstanding balance of $65.7m (£37m) under a $140m loan agreement, after talks with the government of President Idriss Deby.
Chad called the decision "practically consensual" and that relations would continue in non-oil sectors.
The pipeline was seen as a test case for how Africa's oil wealth could benefit the poor if spent properly.
'Improve governance'
The central African country is expected to earn about $1.4bn in oil revenues this year.
"Regrettably, it became evident that the arrangements that had underpinned the bank's involvement in the Chad-Cameroon pipeline project were not working," said Michel Wormser, the bank's director of operations for Africa.
"The bank therefore concluded that it could not continue to support this project under these circumstances."
But he said future cooperation was possible "if the government of Chad wishes to focus its energies on a programme to support inclusive development to overcome poverty, assist displaced people and improve governance".
Sudan election 'could be delayed'
A minister in South Sudan's government has said nationwide elections due by July 2009 could be delayed by at least six months.
Minister for Presidential Affairs Luka Biong said torrential rain and a series of logistical problems could make it difficult to vote as scheduled.
The polls, agreed on in a 2005 peace deal, would be Sudan's first democratic elections in more than two decades.
The peace deal ended a 21-year civil war between the north and the south.
"Practically, it won't be feasible to have them [elections] by July," Mr Biong said, according to Reuters news agency.
He is from the SPLM party of former rebels, which is planning to contest the polls against the NCP of President Omar al-Bashir.
The two parties signed the 2005 deal and share power at a national level but analysts say relations remain tense.
In July, a law was passed, paving the way for the elections.
The peace deal gave the south a semi-autonomous government and provided for a referendum on independence for the south by 2011.
Correspondents say any delay to the elections would also raise worries over the timing of the referendum.
Minister for Presidential Affairs Luka Biong said torrential rain and a series of logistical problems could make it difficult to vote as scheduled.
The polls, agreed on in a 2005 peace deal, would be Sudan's first democratic elections in more than two decades.
The peace deal ended a 21-year civil war between the north and the south.
"Practically, it won't be feasible to have them [elections] by July," Mr Biong said, according to Reuters news agency.
He is from the SPLM party of former rebels, which is planning to contest the polls against the NCP of President Omar al-Bashir.
The two parties signed the 2005 deal and share power at a national level but analysts say relations remain tense.
In July, a law was passed, paving the way for the elections.
The peace deal gave the south a semi-autonomous government and provided for a referendum on independence for the south by 2011.
Correspondents say any delay to the elections would also raise worries over the timing of the referendum.
SA court rejects Zuma graft case
A South African court has ruled that a corruption case against ruling party leader Jacob Zuma cannot go ahead.
He was facing charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering relating to a multi-billion dollar 1999 arms deal.
A judge in Pietermaritzburg said there was reason to believe the decision to charge him was politically motivated.
His words were drowned out by cheers of supporters outside the court. The decision means Mr Zuma is likely to become president in polls next year.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Pietermaritzburg said there were scenes of celebration outside the court, where thousands of people had gathered - some since Thursday evening for an all-night vigil.
After leaving court, Mr Zuma addressed the crowds, and led them in his trademark anti-apartheid guerrilla song, "Umshini wami" (Bring Me My Machine-Gun).
"This is a lesson that we should never keep quiet when those in power break the law," he told the crowds in his mother-tongue, Zulu.
Judge Chris Nicholson said the decision to prosecute without consulting Mr Zuma, 66, had been invalid and ordered the charges to be set aside - for the moment.
"I must repeat that this application has nothing to do with the guilt or otherwise of the applicant. It deals only with the procedural point relating to his [Zuma's] right to making representations before the respondent [the prosecution] makes a decision on whether to charge him," AFP news agency quotes him as saying.
He was facing charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering relating to a multi-billion dollar 1999 arms deal.
A judge in Pietermaritzburg said there was reason to believe the decision to charge him was politically motivated.
His words were drowned out by cheers of supporters outside the court. The decision means Mr Zuma is likely to become president in polls next year.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Pietermaritzburg said there were scenes of celebration outside the court, where thousands of people had gathered - some since Thursday evening for an all-night vigil.
After leaving court, Mr Zuma addressed the crowds, and led them in his trademark anti-apartheid guerrilla song, "Umshini wami" (Bring Me My Machine-Gun).
"This is a lesson that we should never keep quiet when those in power break the law," he told the crowds in his mother-tongue, Zulu.
Judge Chris Nicholson said the decision to prosecute without consulting Mr Zuma, 66, had been invalid and ordered the charges to be set aside - for the moment.
"I must repeat that this application has nothing to do with the guilt or otherwise of the applicant. It deals only with the procedural point relating to his [Zuma's] right to making representations before the respondent [the prosecution] makes a decision on whether to charge him," AFP news agency quotes him as saying.
Expulsions stoke US-Venezuela row
A series of tit-for-tat expulsions has left the US without ambassadors in three Latin American countries.
Bolivia and Venezuela have expelled their US envoys, accusing Washington of trying to oust Bolivia's government.
Washington has responded by throwing out envoys from Bolivia and Venezuela and freezing the assets of three aides to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Meanwhile, Honduras has refused the credentials of a new US ambassador, postponing his appointment.
US officials said the actions of Venezuela and Bolivia showed their leaders' "weakness and desperation".
The BBC's Emilio San Pedro said relations between the US and Latin American opponents such as Mr Chavez had seemed to be on a holding pattern.
But the situation has changed in a matter of days, he says.
This week's arrival in Venezuela of two Russian bomber planes taking part in a military exercise is not thought to have helped the situation.
And with more joint military exercises in the pipeline, our correspondent says it could take a while for tensions to subside.
Bolivia and Venezuela have expelled their US envoys, accusing Washington of trying to oust Bolivia's government.
Washington has responded by throwing out envoys from Bolivia and Venezuela and freezing the assets of three aides to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Meanwhile, Honduras has refused the credentials of a new US ambassador, postponing his appointment.
US officials said the actions of Venezuela and Bolivia showed their leaders' "weakness and desperation".
The BBC's Emilio San Pedro said relations between the US and Latin American opponents such as Mr Chavez had seemed to be on a holding pattern.
But the situation has changed in a matter of days, he says.
This week's arrival in Venezuela of two Russian bomber planes taking part in a military exercise is not thought to have helped the situation.
And with more joint military exercises in the pipeline, our correspondent says it could take a while for tensions to subside.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
WAZIRI MKUU MH.PINDA ATAKA WATANZANIA WACHUNGUZE FURSA ZA KIBIASHARA ZILIZOPO EAC
WAZIRI MKUU Mizengo Pinda amewataka wafanyabiashara wa Kitanzania watakaozuru nchi za Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda na Burundi wachunguze fursa zilizopo kwenye nchi hizo ili wenzao waweze kufaidika pia.Amesema hayo leo mchana wakati alipofanya mazungumzo na ujumbe wa wafanyabishara Watanzania watakaofanya ziara katika nchi hizo nne kuanzia Septemba 7-16, 2008. “Katika ziara hii mjitahidi kuangalia ni maeneo gani tuna fursa kubwa ya kushindana na wenzetu ili nasi tuwezeshe wajasiriamali wetu wengi kuingia katika biashara za kimataifa,” alisema Waziri Mkuu alipokutana nao kwenye ukumbi wa Karimjee, jijini Dar es Salaam.Akizungumza na wawakilishi wa wafanyabiashara 50 watakaowepo kwenye msafara huo, Waziri Mkuu alisema: “Nyie ndio wenye uwezo wa kuongoza biashara, Serikali ina jukumu la kujenga mazingira mazuri yatakayowawezesha kufanya biashara zenu kwa utulivu na amani. Na hilo nawahahakikishia tunalifanya na tutaendelea kulifanya. Ainisheni vikwazo tufahamisheni Serikalini ili tuweze kuchukua hatua za kuondoa vikwazo hivyo.” Waziri Mkuu alisema kwa kubuni na kukubali kufanya ziara hiyo, wafanyabiashara watapanua uelewa wao wa biashara, watapata mbinu mpya za kibiashara na ni pia ni wakati muafaka wa kuboresha miundombinu ya kufanya biashara zao. Wafanyabiashara hao wanatoka mikoa ya Dodoma, Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Morogoro, Arusha na Dar es Salaam.Aliwataka waangalie fursa za uwekezaji kwenye viwanda ambako hali si nzuri ikilinganishwa na nchi za jirani. “Hapa kwetu ni kweli tuna fursa nyingi na takwimu za uwekezaji zinaonyesha kuongezeka, lakini tujiulize kweli viwanda vikubwa tunavyo vingapi na vinazalisha kiasi gani?”Alitoa mfano wa Kenya ambayo ina viwanda vikubwa 900 na kati ya hivyo 200 ni vya wawekezaji wakubwa wa nje (Multinationals) ambavyo vinamilikiwa kwa ubia na wananchi na wawekezaji wa nje pekee.Alisisitiza haja ya kutafuta fursa za uwekezaji kwenye sekta ya kilimo na zile zitakawezesha kuleta mapinduzi katika kilimo. “Tunahitaji kuanza kilimo cha mashamba makubwa yanayotumia teknolojia za kisasa zenye tija, yaani Kilimo cha Kibiashara (Commercial Farming).Akitolea mfano sekta hiyo, alisema Kenya wameanza kilimo hiki muda mrefu kwa vile wana mashamba makubwa ya Kahawa, Nafaka, Maua na Chai. “Pia, Kenya na Uganda wana uzoefu mkubwa wa kuzalisha mbegu bora za nafaka… Tanzania tunaagiza asilimia 75 ya mahitaji yetu ya mbegu bora kutoka nje na sehemu kubwa inaagizwa kutoka Kenya… hili ni eneo muhimu sana ambalo tunapaswa kujifunza kutoka kwao ili tubadili kilimo chetu kiwe cha tija kubwa na cha kibiashara.”Aliwasihi wafanyabiashara kujitokeza kwa wingi kushiriki katika ziara hii ambayo, alisema ni ziara itakayoandika historia mpya kwa wafanyabiashara wa Tanzania. “Ni ziara ya kuwafungua macho wafanyabiashara. Ni ziara ya kujifunza na kuwafanya wafanyabiashara kujiamini zaidi,” alisisitiza.Alisema mbali na kuangalia nchi hizo nne za Afrika Mashariki, wafikirie pia soko la SADC kwa sababu Tanzania ni wanachama wa jumuiya hiyo na akawakumbusha wasiisahau nchi ya DRC kwani ina wakazi zaidi ya milioni 60. “… hili nalo ni soko kubwa na eneo la kibiashara na uwekezaji, tuandaae mkakati wa kutambua fursa zilizopo katika Ukanda wa SADC bila kuwasahau jirani zetu wa DRC… Tuondokane na mawazo potofu kuwa masoko yako kwenye nchi zilizoendelea tu,” alisema. Wakiwa katika ziara hiyo, wafanyabiashara hao wanatarajiwa kujikita zaidi katika sekta saba ambazo ni miundombinu yaani barabara, reli na usafiri wa angani na majini (Infrastructure Development of Airports, Seaports and General Transportation); Nishati na Madini (Energy & Mining) na Biashara (Trade – Import/Export).Nyingine ni Usindikaji na biashara ya mazao (Agribusiness); Hoteli na Utalii (Hotel & Tourism); Viwanda, Ujenzi na Uhandisi (Manufacturing, Construction & Engineering); na Sekta ya Huduma za Fedha (Financial Services).
BREAKING NEWS
Zimbabwe rivals agree unity deal
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says a power-sharing deal has been reached with President Robert Mugabe in Harare.
"We've got a deal," said Mr Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.
South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has helped broker the talks, said an agreement would be signed on Monday.
Mr Mugabe has not yet commented. Weeks of negotiations have faltered over how the two sides are to share power.
The government and MDC have already agreed Mr Tsvangirai will be named prime minister and Mr Mugabe will remain as president.
Mr Mbeki told a news conference: "An agreement has been reached about all the matters on the agenda of the negotiations."
Mr Mugabe won a controversial June presidential run-off election unopposed after Mr Tsvangirai withdrew, claiming his supporters were the brunt of a state-sponsored campaign of violence.
In the first presidential election in March, Mr Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mr Mugabe, but official results say he did not pass the 50% threshold for outright victory.
South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has helped broker the talks, said an agreement would be signed on Monday.
Mr Mugabe has not yet commented. Weeks of negotiations have faltered over how the two sides are to share power.
The government and MDC have already agreed Mr Tsvangirai will be named prime minister and Mr Mugabe will remain as president.
Mr Mbeki told a news conference: "An agreement has been reached about all the matters on the agenda of the negotiations."
Mr Mugabe won a controversial June presidential run-off election unopposed after Mr Tsvangirai withdrew, claiming his supporters were the brunt of a state-sponsored campaign of violence.
In the first presidential election in March, Mr Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mr Mugabe, but official results say he did not pass the 50% threshold for outright victory.
Deadline for Kenyans to quit camp
Some 10,000 Kenyans displaced in electoral violence earlier this year have been given until Friday morning to leave the camp where they are living.
A BBC reporter in Eldoret in the Rift Valley says riot police have been deployed to the camp in a showground.
In May, the unity government started to resettled the displaced, but many say they are too scared to return home.
Eldoret's district commissioner told the BBC many of them were opportunists, waiting for handouts and must leave.
Leonard Ngaluma said most families in the Eldoret camp had been given 10,000 Kenyan shillings ($140) two weeks ago to help them make the move.
"The moment we gave that money, which we did about two weeks [ago], we had a very clear understanding that they ought upon receiving that amount to move out of the showground," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
But the BBC's Wanyama wa Chebusiri in Eldoret says many of those at the camp say they have not received the money and have nowhere to go.
"I am confident that they will leave," Mr Ngaluma.
"I have no doubt in my mind that we shall be able to close the showground without having to use excessive force."
Eldoret is in the Rift Valley, which was the area hardest hit by the clashes following disputed presidential polls in December 2007.
About 1,500 people died in the violence and 600,000 were displaced.
A BBC reporter in Eldoret in the Rift Valley says riot police have been deployed to the camp in a showground.
In May, the unity government started to resettled the displaced, but many say they are too scared to return home.
Eldoret's district commissioner told the BBC many of them were opportunists, waiting for handouts and must leave.
Leonard Ngaluma said most families in the Eldoret camp had been given 10,000 Kenyan shillings ($140) two weeks ago to help them make the move.
"The moment we gave that money, which we did about two weeks [ago], we had a very clear understanding that they ought upon receiving that amount to move out of the showground," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
But the BBC's Wanyama wa Chebusiri in Eldoret says many of those at the camp say they have not received the money and have nowhere to go.
"I am confident that they will leave," Mr Ngaluma.
"I have no doubt in my mind that we shall be able to close the showground without having to use excessive force."
Eldoret is in the Rift Valley, which was the area hardest hit by the clashes following disputed presidential polls in December 2007.
About 1,500 people died in the violence and 600,000 were displaced.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Zambian election date announced
Zambia will hold an election on 30 October to choose a successor to President Levy Mwanawasa, who died in a French military hospital last month.
The poll was announced by the acting President, Rupiah Banda, who will be the candidate of the governing Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD).
He is likely to face a strong challenge from opposition leader Michael Sata, who narrowly lost the election in 2006.
Mr Mwanawasa, who had led Zambia since 2001, suffered a stroke in June.
Under the constitution, an election must be called within 90 days of the post of president becoming vacant.
The poll was announced by the acting President, Rupiah Banda, who will be the candidate of the governing Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD).
He is likely to face a strong challenge from opposition leader Michael Sata, who narrowly lost the election in 2006.
Mr Mwanawasa, who had led Zambia since 2001, suffered a stroke in June.
Under the constitution, an election must be called within 90 days of the post of president becoming vacant.
Hopes grow for deal on Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have resumed talks in Harare, amid growing hopes of a power-sharing deal.
"We are optimistic, we are never pessimistic," Mr Mugabe said as he arrived at the Harare hotel.
On Tuesday, both men both said they hoped to address the outstanding issues between them on Wednesday.
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has stayed in Harare to lead the talks, delaying a summit in Swaziland.
In a sign of Zimbabwe's economic crisis, some shops will be allowed to sell goods in foreign currency, the government has announced.
With annual inflation running at an official 11,000,000%, the Zimbabwe dollar is rapidly depreciating. Last month, the currency was revalued, so Z$10bn became Z$1.
Security role
"I must say that there is a positive development," Mr Tsvangirai said on Tuesday evening after two days of talks.
"We are optimistic, we are never pessimistic," Mr Mugabe said as he arrived at the Harare hotel.
On Tuesday, both men both said they hoped to address the outstanding issues between them on Wednesday.
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has stayed in Harare to lead the talks, delaying a summit in Swaziland.
In a sign of Zimbabwe's economic crisis, some shops will be allowed to sell goods in foreign currency, the government has announced.
With annual inflation running at an official 11,000,000%, the Zimbabwe dollar is rapidly depreciating. Last month, the currency was revalued, so Z$10bn became Z$1.
Security role
"I must say that there is a positive development," Mr Tsvangirai said on Tuesday evening after two days of talks.
US Bolivia ambassador 'expelled'
The US ambassador to Bolivia has been ordered to leave the country by President Evo Morales, reports say.
Mr Morales accused Philip Goldberg of supporting the opposition and encouraging the division of the country.
He said the foreign minister would inform Mr Goldberg that he "should return to his country at once".
Bolivia has seen large protests in recent weeks by opponents of Mr Morales' economic and social policies.
Mr Morales accused Philip Goldberg of supporting the opposition and encouraging the division of the country.
He said the foreign minister would inform Mr Goldberg that he "should return to his country at once".
Bolivia has seen large protests in recent weeks by opponents of Mr Morales' economic and social policies.
Kikwete inaugurates AU council assembly...
African Union Chairman President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday launched the first Permanent General Assembly of the continental body`s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC). In an address to members of the council at a ceremony in Dar es Salaam, he described the landmark development as a measure of the AU leaders` commitment to abiding by the letter and spirit of the legal requirements the body ought to meet. ``The Constitutive Act of the AU is designed to be a partnership between governments and all segments of civil society in the African continent,`` said the AU chairperson. He explained that, by establishing ECOSOCC, the AU was creating a people-oriented, people-centred and people-driven community in the AU in which all stakeholders were effectively represented. ``This is the first time that an institution such as the AU that began as an inter-governmental organisation is incorporating non-state actors as full partners in the policy making enterprise,`` said the AU Chairman. ``Our ECOSOCC is not an allied or associated body of the AU. It is more or less a civil society parliament made up of elected representatives of civil society organisations of member states and the regions of the continents,`` he added. He further noted that the council`s birth meant that civil society organisations in Africa have now got a formal platform where their voices could be heard and considered. The council`s newly elected Presiding Officer, Akere Muna of Cameroon, said ECOSOCC would concentrate on the sensitisation of the people of Africa on the challenges facing the continent.
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