22-year-old woman shot to death in Algiers (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
Michael DeMocker / The Times-PicayuneFriends and family gather to console one another at the scene of a double shooting on Mansfield Street in Algiers which left a 21-year-old woman dead and a 15-year-old girl wounded on Saturday, May 30, 2009….
Nigeria: Group Accuses JTF of False Report
The military Joint Task Force (JTF) has been accused of instigating reports which deceived the Presidency/Nigerian people to attract sympathy for its avoidable application of military force on defenceless Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State .
Nigeria: Group Deplores Killing of Militant Leader
A civil society organisation, Access to Justice, has condemned the killing of Mr. Ken Niweigha, the alleged mastermind of the killings of 12 policemen in Odi, Bayelsa State in 1999 by the police.
Liberia: UN Support to Focus on Rebuilding Process
It’s been more than a year now since the last of the United Nation’s backbreaking economic sanctions on Liberia – restrictions on diamond and timber trade – was removed to give the Sirleaf Administration the hand to fight poverty and “Life Liberia”. The administration says there are still daunting challenges and wishes that a sort of international Marshall Plan be put into place for Liberia’s speedy recovery. But twice in its assessment of Liberia’s security and economic progress, the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) has nothing but praises for Liberia, leaving the impression on the minds of observers that massive economic aid and technical assistance for Liberia seems not the prime question regarding Liberia’s recovery. “So, what could the latest pat on the back mean for the challenges facing the nation,” is the question observers say is crucial. The Analyst Staff Writer has been looking at last week’s media reports and citizen’s comment on the visit of the UNSC’s assessment team to Liberia.
Nigeria: Why Democracy is On Course – Yar’Adua
PRESIDENT Umaru Yar’Adua said yesterday that the nations’ democratic governance has lasted 10 years, uninterrupted, which the nation is celebrating today because of the deep-rooted loyalty and professionalism of the officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces.
Ghana: Women’s Lobby Has Case for Representation in Presidential Appointments
Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), a women’s rights advocacy group yesterday presented a petition to President Mills, reminding him to honour his campaign pledge that women would form 40% of his political appointments. The pledge, apart from being contained in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ‘Better Ghana’ manifesto, was also repeated by then candidate Mills during his encounter with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). “We are disappointed in the number and percentage of women appointed as Ministers of state (Ministers 21% and deputy Ministers 20%), Council of State (3%), Economic Advisory Council (0%), Armed Forces Council (9.09%). Further, we are concerned with the nomination of only 11 women (6.47%) as chief executives to head Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies of which three had been rejected”, WiLDAF stated in a statement issued in Accra.
Nigeria: Man U Fan Kills Four Barcelona Supporters
Tragedy struck Wednesday night in Ogbo, Ahoada, Rivers State, when a bus driver, said to be a fan of Manchester United Football Club, rammed his bus into the jubilant Barcelona fans crowd and killed four persons.
Africa: How Michelle Obama Can Help Africa
When Michelle Obama, the first lady of the United States, visits Ghana with President Barack Obama in July, the powerful voice she has used to empower disadvantaged girls at home can be extended to Africa. By spotlighting the disproportionate impact of Aids on women and girls, she can help strengthen the Aids response – at home and abroad.
El Boumili of Morocco wins Rock’n Roll Marathon (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Khalid El Boumlili of Morocco, who dropped out of the LA Marathon on Monday at mile 18 due to hamstring problems, came back Sunday and breezed to victory in the 12th annual San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.
Liberia: Long Legislative Term Not In Country?s Interest, Says Morris Dukuly
Former Transitional Speaker Morris Dukuly says the current long legislative term is not in the interest of democracy in Liberia.
Sierra Leone: UN Chief Calls For More Support After Recent Political Violence
A recent eruption of political violence in Sierra Leone reinforces the need for the international community’s continued support for the West African nation’s efforts to rebuild following a brutal 11-year civil war, according to a new report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Nigeria: Delta Militants Spurn Govt Amnesty
For the second time in less than three months, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has said it would not accept the offer of amnesty offered by President Umaru Yar’Adua as it failed to define the terms of the offer.
Coup leader says no deal on Mauritania poll delay (AFP via Yahoo! News)
General Ould Abdel Aziz, who toppled Mauritania’s government last year, said that no deal was near on delaying a controversial election scheduled to be held later this week.
