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The 6th Africa Resource Bank Meeting – ARB 2008
Theme: Commercializing Africa’s Resources to Promote Prosperity: How Africa can utilize its natural resources to raise the living standards of its people
Date: November 9th – 12th 2008
Venue: White Sands Beach Resort, Mombasa Kenya
Is Africa a new frontier for business simply because China and India have joined the U.S.A and Europe in mining natural resources from Africa? What is different? What is Africa doing about it?
Date: November 9th – 12th 2008
Venue: White Sands Beach Resort, Mombasa Kenya
Is Africa a new frontier for business simply because China and India have joined the U.S.A and Europe in mining natural resources from Africa? What is different? What is Africa doing about it?
ALN amends Constitution, elects LI Bureau member as new President
Liberal International News Issue 98
Liberal International News Issue 98
Minister Mamadou Lamine Ba, Vice-President on the LI Bureau and Special Adviser to President Wade of Senegal, succeeds Ali Touré of Cotê d'Ivoire as president of LI affiliate the Africa Liberal Network (ALN). At a meeting attended by fifteen representatives of its member parties in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania, held from 2 to 4 August 2008, ALN further elected 5 new regional Vice-Presidents and a Treasurer on its Executive Committee. The meeting was also organised in order for the Network to decide on the best ways of increasing its effectiveness and to agree to an action plan for the next 2 years. The points discussed during the meeting included redefining the roles and responsibilities of office bearers and of the different bodies within the ALN structure, as well as reviewing the procedures for admission of new members. The constitutional amendments were officially adopted during the ALN General Assembly which took place on Monday 4 August, together with an action plan for the next 2 years that stresses, among other things, the importance of increasing electoral support to member parties during elections.
For further information, please visit the ALN website at www.africaliberalnetwork.org.
For further information, please visit the ALN website at www.africaliberalnetwork.org.
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DA warns of the danger of a blanket amnesty for Robert Mugabe
Release, immediate: Wednesday, 06 August 2008
Release, immediate: Wednesday, 06 August 2008
STATEMENT BY TONY LEON MP
DA SPOKESPERSON ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
It has now emerged that part of President Mbeki’s solution to the political impasse in Zimbabwe could include a blanket amnesty for Robert Mugabe to ensure stability in Harare. While the Democratic Alliance (DA) supports any initiative to restore democracy and the observance of the rule of law in Harare, we warn of the danger of settling for an amnesty process without full disclosure.
South Africa will recall from some of the imperfections of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that an amnesty process which is not based on the principle of ‘knowledge and acknowledgement’ can divide a nation further. Robert Mugabe and his acolytes have done substantial damage to Zimbabwe. Any solution to the political crisis in that country must take this into account in order for Zimbabweans to heal the wounds inflicted by his rule of terror and prevent these crimes from recurring.
To suggest that the injustices of Robert Mugabe’s eight year plunder of Zimbabwe - including the gross violation of human rights, the use of political violence against opponents and crippling the country’s economy - should be swept under the carpet is to ignore the intolerable pain inflicted by his repressive regime on the people of Zimbabwe. If we were to do so, we would be inviting future governments on the continent to ride roughshod over the rights of their people with the knowledge that they will escape facing the consequences of their brutality. This would also create a politically unstable environment.
Any solution to Zimbabwe’s political impasse must also offer justice to the people of Zimbabwe.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Lindiwe Mazibuko – 072 805 2220
DA SPOKESPERSON ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
It has now emerged that part of President Mbeki’s solution to the political impasse in Zimbabwe could include a blanket amnesty for Robert Mugabe to ensure stability in Harare. While the Democratic Alliance (DA) supports any initiative to restore democracy and the observance of the rule of law in Harare, we warn of the danger of settling for an amnesty process without full disclosure.
South Africa will recall from some of the imperfections of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that an amnesty process which is not based on the principle of ‘knowledge and acknowledgement’ can divide a nation further. Robert Mugabe and his acolytes have done substantial damage to Zimbabwe. Any solution to the political crisis in that country must take this into account in order for Zimbabweans to heal the wounds inflicted by his rule of terror and prevent these crimes from recurring.
To suggest that the injustices of Robert Mugabe’s eight year plunder of Zimbabwe - including the gross violation of human rights, the use of political violence against opponents and crippling the country’s economy - should be swept under the carpet is to ignore the intolerable pain inflicted by his repressive regime on the people of Zimbabwe. If we were to do so, we would be inviting future governments on the continent to ride roughshod over the rights of their people with the knowledge that they will escape facing the consequences of their brutality. This would also create a politically unstable environment.
Any solution to Zimbabwe’s political impasse must also offer justice to the people of Zimbabwe.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Lindiwe Mazibuko – 072 805 2220
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Zimbabwe: Continued Attacks Against Members of the MDC and the General Public
31 July 2008 Press Statement
31 July 2008 Press Statement
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) is concerned by reports alleging continued politically motivated criminals acts against members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and the general public in Nyanga North Constituency by well known members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA).
Tsvangirai's Open Letter on the Zimbabwe MOU
As issued by the Movement for Democratic Change President July 22 2008
As issued by the Movement for Democratic Change President July 22 2008
Open Letter from the President of the Movement for Democratic Change, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai, on the Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, July 22 2008
My fellow Zimbabweans,
Yesterday I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Robert Mugabe and Prof. Arthur Mutambara. This document commits our three parties to a framework of negotiations that will take place over the next two weeks.
I know that in signing this Memorandum of Understanding, I represent the hopes and aspirations of millions of Zimbabweans to end this crisis as soon as possible. Honest, hardworking Zimbabweans who want nothing more than a life that offers peace, security, economic opportunity, democracy and social and personal development. This is a responsibility that the Movement for Democratic Change and I take with the utmost seriousness.
My fellow Zimbabweans,
Yesterday I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Robert Mugabe and Prof. Arthur Mutambara. This document commits our three parties to a framework of negotiations that will take place over the next two weeks.
I know that in signing this Memorandum of Understanding, I represent the hopes and aspirations of millions of Zimbabweans to end this crisis as soon as possible. Honest, hardworking Zimbabweans who want nothing more than a life that offers peace, security, economic opportunity, democracy and social and personal development. This is a responsibility that the Movement for Democratic Change and I take with the utmost seriousness.
CDE Calls for a Commission of Inquiry into May 2008 Violence
Media Release CDE, 17 July 2008
Media Release CDE, 17 July 2008
The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE), a partner of the FNF, is calling for South Africa's Presdient to appoint an independent expert commission, headed by a respected, senior judge, to investigate the May 2008 violence.
The basic facts are well known. Violence broke out on May 10-11 in Alexandra, Johannesburg; spread quickly to other Gauteng townships; and then to Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth, and possibly elsewhere not reported in the national media. By June police estimated 62 deaths, 670 people injured, and tens of thousands displaced from their homes.
The term ‘xenophobic violence’ is now generally accepted as an accurate description of what happened in May. Yet one third of those killed were South Africans. Many reports talk of attackers wanting to get rid of ‘Shangaans’ as well as foreigners. Over the past few years South Africa has seen a growing number of violent protests in towns across the country. In our detailed study of two of these towns, entitled Voices of anger. Phumelela and Khutsong: Protest and conflict in two municipalities (April 2007), CDE learnt a great deal about the complex and worrying realities that lie behind the headlines and TV pictures.
The basic facts are well known. Violence broke out on May 10-11 in Alexandra, Johannesburg; spread quickly to other Gauteng townships; and then to Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth, and possibly elsewhere not reported in the national media. By June police estimated 62 deaths, 670 people injured, and tens of thousands displaced from their homes.
The term ‘xenophobic violence’ is now generally accepted as an accurate description of what happened in May. Yet one third of those killed were South Africans. Many reports talk of attackers wanting to get rid of ‘Shangaans’ as well as foreigners. Over the past few years South Africa has seen a growing number of violent protests in towns across the country. In our detailed study of two of these towns, entitled Voices of anger. Phumelela and Khutsong: Protest and conflict in two municipalities (April 2007), CDE learnt a great deal about the complex and worrying realities that lie behind the headlines and TV pictures.
DA welcomes signing of memorandum of understanding between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai
Release, immediate: Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Release, immediate: Tuesday, 22 July 2008
STATEMENT BY TONY LEON, MP
DA SPOKESPERSON FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare yesterday, and congratulates President Mbeki for co-ordinating this effort.
This is the first sign of progress in Zimbabwe in eight years of unrelenting political, economic and humanitarian turmoil, and represents hope for that country’s future. While this is an important and welcome development, it is however crucial that we do not lose track of the fact that this alone does not automatically put Zimbabwe on the road to recovery.
DA SPOKESPERSON FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare yesterday, and congratulates President Mbeki for co-ordinating this effort.
This is the first sign of progress in Zimbabwe in eight years of unrelenting political, economic and humanitarian turmoil, and represents hope for that country’s future. While this is an important and welcome development, it is however crucial that we do not lose track of the fact that this alone does not automatically put Zimbabwe on the road to recovery.
