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Africans Celebrate the 2nd Annual Africa Day Parade in New York City |
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 By SSI staff reporter
NEW YORK,, USA- The second Africa day parade was celebrated colorfully in the city of New York on Sunday the 24th of August bringing thousands of Africans living in and around New York city. Groups representing their nations and associations showcased in the parade. The parade took place from the 127th street to the 116th on to the park in the Morning side of Manhattan. Artists and entertainers brought marvelous shows to the stage and entertained crowd uptil 7 pm of the day. Check out the picture Gallery of the event @ photogallery |
World mourns Mwanawasa |
By SSI staff writer
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- messages of condolences are pouring in from all corners of the world following the death of Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa who passed away on Tuesday August 19, 2008.
“As Vice-President and later President, Mr. Mwanawasa was at the forefront of Zambian politics at a time of exceptional challenges and change in his country and in the southern African region as a whole. His periods in office ranged from Zambia’s crucial role in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa, to his firm stance, as SADC Chairman, on the post-election crisis in Zimbabwe. In the latter context, the Secretary-General greatly valued his frequent interaction with him over the past few months”, reads the message from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
Jean Ping, AU chairperson expressed his condolences to the family of the late President and to the people of Zambia, and expressed his solidarity and that of the African people to the people of Zambia during this difficult period. Read More |
Red Cross revises aid to Ethiopia -Says food security in Ethiopia remains of high concern |
By Simegnish Yekoye
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has announced that it has revised its emergency appeal to 7.9 million USD (5 million Euros) to support the severely affected drought area in Ethiopia.
The money is required to support the Ethiopian Red Cross society that is assisting more than 76,000 people in Southern part of Ethiopia, Wolaiyta region.
“Over the past two months the situation has worsened and living conditions have deteriorated,” says Lorenzo Violante, IFRC’s drought operations manager in Addis Ababa. Read More |
CEWARN to boost capability at averting conflicts among pastoralists |
By Alemayehu Seife Selassie
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The Inter Governmental Authority on Development’s (IGAD) Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism (CEWARN) in its member state meeting this week in Addis Ababa told donors and member states that it is ready to take response actions to curb conflicts among pastoralists and has asked for scaling up funds from the little over 150,000 USD current budget and to one million USD for this year. Read More |
Zimbabwe faces strikes over ailing economy |
By Wilson Watson
HARARE, Zimbabwe- Zimbabwe’s civil service could be thrown into turmoil after most civil servants start downing tools in protest over low salaries that have continued to be eroded by rising inflation in the country.
Doctors at the country’s state hospitals have gone on strike while teachers and nurses have threatened to follow suit.
Although naturally army and the police forces are not allowed to go on strike, sources said the situation was tense due to the low salaries.
Doctors last month earned 6,00 Zimbabwean Dollars (less than 10 USD) while teachers were earning 200 Zimbabwean Dollars (less than 5 USD).
Zimbabwe Medical Doctors Association chairman Amon Siveregi said the doctors will only return to work after their grievances were met.
“We are demanding acceptable salaries but I can’t disclose to you what we have tabled before the government due to a confidentiality clause in our dealings,” he said.
Teachers’ union representatives have also indicated that they will not return to work at the opening of the new term if their salaries are not reviewed. Schools open early next month.>>Read More |
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Food insecurity continues in Ethiopia’s Somali region- UN allocates 214 million USD for drought hit areas |
By staff writer
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - A recently completed Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency (DPPA) led multi-agency pastoral assessment team in the Somali region of Ethiopia reported critical food security problems with records of massive livestock and human migration, reduced livestock births and production as well as increased prices of food.
The team also reported that many parts of the region have slipped into emergency conditions that was briefly eased by ‘gu’ rains and increased food aid distributions in the past few months. It said, in most areas, the available pasture and water is not likely to last until August. Read More |
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Ethiopia inks agreement with Falcon Petroleum on oil production- Oil exploration in Ethiopia covers more than 70% of surface coverage |
By Dereje Berhanu
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- The Ethiopian Ministry of Mines and Energy on Thursday August 7, 2008 singed an agreement with Falcon Petroleum Ltd., a company registered in Cyprus on Petroleum Production Sharing Agreement. According to the agreement Falcon will initially invest USD 15 million in a 120, 000 km2 in the Woreilu area of the Amhara Regional state of Ethiopia.Read More |
Breakthrough in Zimbabwean talks threatens old alliances |
By Wilson Watson
HARARE, Zimbabwe- THE success of Zimbabwean talks is likely to create further headaches for the ‘new’ Government as it has to deal with another delicate issue regarding the Unity Accord that was signed in 1987 between ZANU PF and PF ZAPU. Read More |
OIC rallies behind President Al-Bashir |
By SSI staff writer
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia- An emergency Ministerial meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) convened at the OIC headquarters, Jeddah, on August 4, 2008 to discuss the situation in Sudan following the announcement by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor to seek indictment of several members of the Government including the President of Sudan has come out with a 12 point communiqué in support of President Omar Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir. Read More |
Armyworm outbreaks up ante on food insecurity in Ethiopia |
 By Simegnish Yekoye
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The food security situation in Ethiopia’s drought affected areas has not improved due to the cumulative effects of poor belg [March-April] rainfall season, armyworm outbreaks, continually increasing food prices and shortage of emergency resources, said the UN this week. Read More
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AU requests ICC to delay case against Al-Bashir |
By Simegnish Yekoye
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The Peace and Security Council of AfricanUnion (AU) on Monday requested the United Nations Security Council, to defer the process initiated by the International Criminal Court (ICC), in relation to the application made by the ICC prosecutor who has last week issued an arrest warrant for Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, President of Sudan. Read More |
Ethiopian Olympic hopeful Athlete threatened with gun at hotel |
By Samson Haileyesus
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- Ethiopian marathon Olympic hopeful Deriba Merga was threatened by fellow marathon runner Tessema Abshiro with a gun on Sunday July 20, 2008 in the compound of the Ghion Hotel. Read More |
| Fears of food shortages surface in west Kenya |
By agencies
NAIROBI, Kenya- Erratic rainfall, soaring farming costs, and a shortage of materials in the western district of Mt Elgon could compromise food security in the region. Read More |
Zimbabwean manufacturing sector suffers more woes |
By Wilson Watson
HARARE, Zimbabwe- Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector has gone down by 27 percent in 2007 compared to 18 percent in 2006, a survey has revealed. Read More |
Arab ambassadors to AU and Ethiopia warn against Bashir indictment |
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By SSI staff writer
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- The group of Arab nations ambassadors to the African Union and Ethiopia on Wednesday July 16, 2008 have expressed their concerns over the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir. Read More
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AU’s Panel of the Wise gather to discuss conflicts and peace building in Africa
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| By staff Writer
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- Against a backdrop of conflicts, election controversies members of the African Union’s Commission’s Panel of the Wise are in Addis Ababa to hold two days of consultations on steps to be taken by the Panel to carry forward the reflection on the electoral related disputes, including the preparation by the Commission of the relevant documentation and the convening of a workshop to review the recommendations to be submitted to the AU policy organs, as well as other related steps. Read More
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Africa Day parade to kick off in New York City |
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By SSI staff writer
 NEW YORK, USA- The annual celebrations of bringing Africans together under the theme “Africa Day” kicks off this coming Sunday in the uptown neighborhood of Harlem.
In an exclusive interview with the organizers, SSI has informed the 2nd annual event Street Festival will be at its best and will take place on Sunday, August 24 2008 and will be a unique opportunity for the African Community and other communities to showcase their products and celebrate their cultures and traditions. Read More |
Somaliland president held talks with Norwegian Oil Company |
By Moha Dahir Farah Jire
HARGEISA, Somaliland- Somaliland President Dahir Rayaale Kahin this week received at the presidency’s office a delegation from the Norwegian petroleum company, ASANTE OIL to hold consultations with the oil company on ways where the firm would explore for oil in the Horn of Africa nation.
President Rayaale on the occasion told the delegation his administration’s pleasure on the attention given towards Somaliland’s untapped rich resources. “Somaliland is rich in unexploited resources and maybe many investors do not have the courage to invest in the most neglected country in Africa which continues with a functioning government with its integrity intact”. Read More |
| Kenyan and Sudanese foreign ministers to mediate Eritrea’s return to IGAD |
By SSI staff writer and agencies
ASMARA, Eritrea- The Sudanese Foreign Minister, Deng Alor and his Kenyan counterpart Moses Wetang’ula are expected to arrive in Asmara Thursday August 14, 2008 for talks with the president Isayas Afeworki of Eritrean in a bid to convince him to return to the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in its June Addis summit had assigned Sudan and Kenya to continue mediation process to bringing Eritrea back to the membership of IGAD.
The visit comes following Asmara’s nodded in approval to the principle of mediation
to return to the east African bloc following its move to suspend its IGAD membership in April 2007 in protest to member states to what it called their refusal to condemn and take actions against Ethiopia for sending troops to Somalia. |
| USAID expedites emergency food aid to Horn of Africa |
By SSI staff writer
WASHINGTON D.C., USA- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is expediting the shipment of nearly 24,000 metric tons (MT) of food aid to help the millions of people in need of assistance in the Horn of Africa.
The shipment includes 9,390 MT of split yellow peas, 6,150 MT of vegetable oil, 6,320 MT of corn soy blend, and 1,400 MT of wheat flour. This is only one of multiple strategies USAID is implementing to alleviate impacts of the world food crisis in that region and elsewhere around the world. USAID’s Office of Food for Peace plans to provide over 1 million MT of food, valued at more than 857 million USD, to Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and Djibouti in fiscal year 2008 in response to the drought emergency affecting the Horn of Africa.>> Read More |
President Rayaale meets with delegates from Germany, Russia & Saudi Arabia - Says Somaliland open for business and investment |
By Moha Dahir Farah Jire
HARGEISA, Somaliland- Somaliland this week played host to business delegations from Germany, Russia and Saudi Arabia seeking investment opportunities in Somaliland. Read More |
Ethiopian famous singer Teddy Afro’s lawyer gets 50 days jail time for contempt |
By Dererje Berhanu
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- Ethiopia’s renowned singer Tewodros Kassahun, Teddy Afro’s lawyer Million Assefa and Mesfin Negash, editor of the Amharic weekly newspaper Addis Neger have received prison term sentences and a suspended prison sentence respectively for contempt of court on Wednesday August 6, 2008. Read More |
Zimbabwe headed for Kenyan style of government |
 By Wilson Watson
HARARE, Zimbabwe- Zimbabwe in the middle of a political and economic meltdown, is headed for a Kenya style Government of National Unity although parties on the negotiating table still have a number of cases to solve.
President Robert Mugabe of ZANU PF, Morgan Tsvangirai of MDC and Authur Mutambara of MDC this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding that has paved way for full time talks under the mediation of South African President Thabo Mbeki. Read More
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Zimbabwean small political parties want inclusion in talks |
By Wilson Watson
HARARE, Zimbabwe- While the entire nation was this week saluting Zanu-PF and the two MDC factions for setting the agenda of the talks, Dr Simba Makoni and other minority parties were instead mourning their exclusion from the process. Read More |
Zimbabwean war veterans threaten to wage war |
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| By Wilson Watson
HARARE, Zimbabwe- Militant Zimbabwe freedom fighters have threatened to go back to war if there is any country or force that wants to remove President Robert Mugabe or ZANU PF from power.
War veteran leader Jabulani Sibanda said people must understand that the independence of 1980 did not stop the war hence the war veterans were still eager to go back and fight for our country. Read More |
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US Assistant Secretary of State for democracy, human rights and labor makes first visit to Africa-Says building democracy important for the continent |
By Samson Haileyesus
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- David J. Kramer, US Assistant Secretary of State for democracy, human rights and labor this week made his first trip to Ethiopia following his appointment in March of this year, his first African state visit so far. Read More>> |
ONLF denies Ethiopia’s accusation of bombings in capital |
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| By Simegnish Yekoye
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) has denied accusations labeled against it by the Ethiopian government of its involvement in a spate of bombing in Addis Ababa, that killed eight people in April.
Early this week, the Ethiopian government has said it has arrested eight Eritrean trained rebels suspected of carrying out bombings in the capital city Addis Ababa. The statement by the government also said the attacks were sponsored by arch-foe Eritrea and was implemented by ONLF operating in Ethiopia. Read More |
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USAID announce five year Ethiopia Ecotourism Development Program |
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| By Dereje Berhanu
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Wednesday July 16, 2008 launched a new multi-million dollars ecotourism program which will contribute to the development of Ethiopian’s unique and potentially very lucrative ecotourism sector. Read More |
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| By Wilson Watson
HARRE, Zimbabwe- Zimbabwe’s annual rate of inflation, already the highest in the world, has topped 2.2 million mark as the economy continues to sink deeper into doldrums. The figure announced by the country’s Central Statistics Office is the first official confirmation of the state of the economy since February. All along the Government had directed CSO to stop announcing inflation figures, but independent projections had estimated that the figure had now surpassed the $10 million mark. Read More |
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Saakhashvili's End Game - By Medhane Tadesse
 On the night of August 7-8,2008, just a few hours after an agreement had been reached to hold talks to settle the new round of the South Ossetian conflict, Georgian military units- at 11 p.m when people went to bed- bombarded residential quarters in Tskhinvali, the capital of the breakaway region. The result was gruesome: around 1500 people, mostly civilians were killed, 10 villages at the border with Georgia have been wiped out, the capital of South Ossetia is totally destroyed, but the Western media is not interested in showing these atrocities, rather focusing on minor damages on the Georgian side. Shame! It is known that the Western media is not impartial, but this is incomprehensible. Some of the well-known TV cameras seem to have a device attached to them to pick and show only Russian tanks, not Georgian. Full Text
American elections 08
Obama Picks Delaware Senator Biden as Vice Presidential Running Mate
 Barack Obama has made his vice presidential pick it is Sen. Joe Biden from the state of Delaware to run with him in the Democratic ticket.
Announcement was made at around 12:30 am ET on Saturday morning, funneling all supporters with the text message that Senator Joe Biden has been picked as the VP candidate. The selection of Biden is to shore up Obama's foreign policy credentials in advance of the November election against John McCain.
Biden, 65, brings wealth of foreign policy credentials to a ticket topped by the 47-year-old Obama. The Delaware Democrat first won his job in the Senate over 35 years ago -- when Obama was only 11 -- and has been reelected five times.
He's chaired both the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Judiciary Committee, and raised his profile recently by traveling on a fact-finding mission to war-torn Georgia, where he called for increased U.S. aid to the country and peacekeeping forces.
Kirsty Coventry: The Curse of 'Good White'? By Rejoice
 By the time you read this opinion piece, the Chinese 'Bird's Nest' may long have been deserted; the guns of Olympians silent and she will be back to her more solid cradle. Perhaps, just perhaps, Robert Mugabe will have conferred swimming sensation Kirsty Coventry with yet another Honour of the Stone Temple award for in his own words, "keeping the Zimbabwean flag high in the face of rabid Western adversity." >> Full Text
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