Amnesty International (AI) has released a report encouraging the government to amend the country’s laws pertaining to freedom of expression. The report, released 31st August titled “Safer to Stay Silent: The Chilling Effect of Rwanda’s Laws on ‘Genocide Ideology’ and ‘Sectarianism’’ also appeals for a review of past convictions and increased training on how to [...]
The International Criminal Court (ICC)said Friday that it was reporting indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s visit to Kenya to the UN Security Council, so that appropriate steps might be taken. Bashir attended the ceremony in Nairobi Friday 27th August to adopt a new constitution despite warrants for his arrest issued by the ICC on charges [...]
Kenya’s new constitution passed into law on Friday 27th August, replacing the country’s 1963 constitution. The law will ensure a more balanced and fair presidential system, which will include a devolved government, the enshrining of National Human Rights Commission and the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission in law. However, Christian Aid and other charities are wary that [...]
This year, seventeen African countries are celebrating fifty years of self-governance and of these eight nations commemorate their independence in August. The euphoria that gripped so many nations in 1960, proved to be a landmark moment in the continent’s history. But now, fifty years on, we are reaching another milestone in the continent’s legacy. The [...]
The British coalition government has sparked debate over plans to withhold aid from countries rich in natural resources, whose leaders are believed to be diverting wealth away from their people. The head of the Department for International Development (DFID), Andrew Mitchell MP says the move is designed to protect the British taxpayer. ‘If our taxpayers [...]
A report released Monday 23rd August by Human Rights Watch has addressed the nature of the country’s next transition. The paper, which is titled ‘An Uncertain Future: Oil Contracts and Stalled Reform in São Tomé e Príncipe’, explores the benefits and pitfalls of the region’s potential oil wealth. While no significant amount of oil has [...]
Amnesty International has openly rebuked the executions of four former military officers accused of attempting to assassinate the country’s president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. José Abeso Nsue, Manuel Ndong Anseme, Alipio Ndong Asumu and Jacinto Michá Obiang were sentenced to death on August 21st on charges of terrorism and treason by a court in the [...]
Journalism the world over labours under the curse of celebrity. There is no doubt that the reading, surfing, watching and listening public are fascinated by it. But are they fascinated to the exclusion of all else?As a journalist with more serious things on my mind I like to think not. But too many media proprietors [...]
Aid agencies have warned that heavy flooding in the region will mean that millions of people will remain neglected. Floods have killed at least six people and left thousands homeless, heightening the country’s on-going crisis. The River Niger in the capital has reached its highest level in more than 80 years and many crops have [...]
A joint operation has led to the arrest of two suspects over the seizure of 317 pieces of raw elephant ivory. The ivory was discovered on Saturday 21st August at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in the capital Nairobi. The cargo was disguised as a case of avocado fruits but was uncovered because of the [...]
