from the BBC.
Schistosomiasis is a common infection in rural Zim
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
The Lessons I learned from Bob
from Kubatana net:
TOP del.icio.us
Stand by your beliefs stand firm even if you stand t o lose your very livelihood.
When your enemy is down kick in the teeth repeatedly.
Choose a very public forum to insult you enemies; do a good and thorough job of it.
That way you divert attention from your transgressions.
You are always right it’s everyone else who is wrong.
If they don’t agree with you to hell with them who do they think they are.
Pretend to agree with some of your opponents.
When they gain your trust.
Stab them in the back.
TOP del.icio.us
Stand by your beliefs stand firm even if you stand t o lose your very livelihood.
When your enemy is down kick in the teeth repeatedly.
Choose a very public forum to insult you enemies; do a good and thorough job of it.
That way you divert attention from your transgressions.
You are always right it’s everyone else who is wrong.
If they don’t agree with you to hell with them who do they think they are.
Pretend to agree with some of your opponents.
When they gain your trust.
Stab them in the back.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Zim talks resume after fight
from the BBC:
...On Monday Mr Mugabe's supporters disrupted the opening speech by dancing and singing revolutionary songs, prompting an angry reaction from supporters of Mr Tsvangirai - his former rival.
Water bottles were thrown, delegates scuffled with each other and riot police were brought in to clear the venue.
Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party wants the new constitution to be based on a draft drawn up last year, but critics say it gives the president too much power. ...
...On Monday Mr Mugabe's supporters disrupted the opening speech by dancing and singing revolutionary songs, prompting an angry reaction from supporters of Mr Tsvangirai - his former rival.
Water bottles were thrown, delegates scuffled with each other and riot police were brought in to clear the venue.
Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party wants the new constitution to be based on a draft drawn up last year, but critics say it gives the president too much power. ...
Liberia's ex pres denounces war crimes charges against him
from the AP
...Charles Taylor, once one of West Africa's most powerful men, is charged with 11 counts of murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery and the use of child soldiers and terrorism in his role backing rebels in Sierra Leone's 1991-2002 civil war.
An estimated 500,000 people were the victims of killings, systematic mutilation or other atrocities in that war, with some of the worst crimes committed by child soldiers who were drugged to desensitize them....
...Charles Taylor, once one of West Africa's most powerful men, is charged with 11 counts of murder, torture, rape, sexual slavery and the use of child soldiers and terrorism in his role backing rebels in Sierra Leone's 1991-2002 civil war.
An estimated 500,000 people were the victims of killings, systematic mutilation or other atrocities in that war, with some of the worst crimes committed by child soldiers who were drugged to desensitize them....
Monday, July 13, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Zim military blamed for bloodshed at diamond mine
from CNN:
... Residents and workers contributed accounts of attacks detailed by the interim findings of the Kimberley Process after a weeklong investigation in Zimbabwe.
The probe started days after a Human Rights Watch report accused the nation's armed forces of violently taking over the diamond fields in Marange district and killing about 200 people since last year. Some victims of the clash were buried in mass graves, the report said....
Tapiwa, 32, who declined to give his last name, said he has scars on his back and head from beatings he got when troops found him in the mining area.
Such stories are common, said Georgette Gagnon, director of Human Rights Watch. The organization said more than 100 witnesses, including soldiers and children, were interviewed for its report....
Separately, Human Rights Watch has accused the armed forces of funneling money from the fields into ZANU-PF, President Robert Mugabe's party. The government decried some aspects of the report, saying the critics were trying to smear the Mugabe's party.
... Residents and workers contributed accounts of attacks detailed by the interim findings of the Kimberley Process after a weeklong investigation in Zimbabwe.
The probe started days after a Human Rights Watch report accused the nation's armed forces of violently taking over the diamond fields in Marange district and killing about 200 people since last year. Some victims of the clash were buried in mass graves, the report said....
Tapiwa, 32, who declined to give his last name, said he has scars on his back and head from beatings he got when troops found him in the mining area.
Such stories are common, said Georgette Gagnon, director of Human Rights Watch. The organization said more than 100 witnesses, including soldiers and children, were interviewed for its report....
Separately, Human Rights Watch has accused the armed forces of funneling money from the fields into ZANU-PF, President Robert Mugabe's party. The government decried some aspects of the report, saying the critics were trying to smear the Mugabe's party.
International Investment conference opens in Harare
from SWRadioAfrica:
...The key to this (i.e. investment), according to the address by deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, was restoring the rule of law, which provides the foundation of confidence for contractual dealings and investor activity, without which no economy can run effectively.
He said: ‘The rule of law, transparency and accountability in the public sector serve not only as means to counter corruption but also as fundamental conditions of good governance’.
Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa said investors at the conference took a keen interest in the energy, mining, construction and telecommunication sectors. These are perceived as sectors with the highest potential for profitability.
But there were also concerns raised by investors during a question and answer session with the three leaders that real reforms have yet to take root in the country. Others felt Zimbabwe was still a place where property rights are not respected...
...The key to this (i.e. investment), according to the address by deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, was restoring the rule of law, which provides the foundation of confidence for contractual dealings and investor activity, without which no economy can run effectively.
He said: ‘The rule of law, transparency and accountability in the public sector serve not only as means to counter corruption but also as fundamental conditions of good governance’.
Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa said investors at the conference took a keen interest in the energy, mining, construction and telecommunication sectors. These are perceived as sectors with the highest potential for profitability.
But there were also concerns raised by investors during a question and answer session with the three leaders that real reforms have yet to take root in the country. Others felt Zimbabwe was still a place where property rights are not respected...
Another MP convicted on trumped up charges
from SWRadioAfrica:
The MDC MP for Chipinge South, Meki Makuyana, was on Thursday convicted on ‘trumped up charges’ of kidnapping. Magistrate Samuel Zuze sentenced Makuyana to 18 months in prison with hard labour - 6 months were suspended. This means the MP will serve an effective 12 months in prison. This brings to 4 the number of MDC MP’s, all from Manicaland Province, who have been convicted and sentenced to jail by magistrates on the ZANU PF payroll. Coincidentally all the MDC MP’s targeted so far beat ZANU PF cabinet ministers in last year’s parliamentary elections....
The MDC MP for Chipinge South, Meki Makuyana, was on Thursday convicted on ‘trumped up charges’ of kidnapping. Magistrate Samuel Zuze sentenced Makuyana to 18 months in prison with hard labour - 6 months were suspended. This means the MP will serve an effective 12 months in prison. This brings to 4 the number of MDC MP’s, all from Manicaland Province, who have been convicted and sentenced to jail by magistrates on the ZANU PF payroll. Coincidentally all the MDC MP’s targeted so far beat ZANU PF cabinet ministers in last year’s parliamentary elections....
Land Reform Issue Dominates First Day of Zimbabwe Investment Forum
from VOA news:
The three principals in Zimbabwe's troubled unity government differed sharply on the vexed question of land reform on the opening day Thursday of a conference aimed at convincing international investors to bring capital to the country's economic recovery.
President Robert Mugabe called on Britain to pay restitution to farmers whose properties were seized by his government in the controversial fast-track land reform program which it launched in 2000 and which has been blamed for the country's economic collapse.
Mr. Mugabe told delegates attending Zimbabwe International Investment Conference that the responsibility of compensating the white commercial farmers rested "on the shoulders of the British government and it's allies." The president said Zimbabwe will only compensate white farmers for improvement to properties seized for land redistribution....
The three principals in Zimbabwe's troubled unity government differed sharply on the vexed question of land reform on the opening day Thursday of a conference aimed at convincing international investors to bring capital to the country's economic recovery.
President Robert Mugabe called on Britain to pay restitution to farmers whose properties were seized by his government in the controversial fast-track land reform program which it launched in 2000 and which has been blamed for the country's economic collapse.
Mr. Mugabe told delegates attending Zimbabwe International Investment Conference that the responsibility of compensating the white commercial farmers rested "on the shoulders of the British government and it's allies." The president said Zimbabwe will only compensate white farmers for improvement to properties seized for land redistribution....
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Friday, July 03, 2009
Corporate Council on Africa remarks
remarks to PM Tsvangirai at a meeting...they support private enterprise to boost the economy
Thursday, July 02, 2009
The Militias are Back
from SWRadioAfrica:
Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us most militias have been deployed in areas where the MDC made major inroads in last year’s polls. He said ZANU PF fears if its supporters do not particpate in the reform exercise, the consequences could be dire for the party.
“Already there have been skirmishes involving these militias and officials from the MDC in Mutare, Masvingo and some parts of Mashonaland central. The militias are forcing people to attend local or provincial conferences and push for the Kariba draft to be used as a reference point in drawing up a new constitution,” Muchemwa said....
Since independence the country has followed the Lancaster House constitution, but since then the ZANU PF led government has added 18 subsequent amendments to the Constitution, strengthening presidential powers and turning Zimbabwe into an authoritarian country.
Makoni's new Party
from SWRadio Africa
Ex ZANU-PF Finance minister Makoni is now starting his own breakaway party. He is slamming corruption, but has been accused of corruption in the past.
If you believe the Wikipedia post, the "corruption" was about a measley $25 000....which either means he was caught in some minor shennanigans (to small to count and so is incompetent), or he was so incompetent that he is only stealing small amounts of money, or that he is smart enough to steal without getting caught (competent and corrupt). Or maybe the guy is honest and the others lied about him.
the Wikipedia post also says Mutambara backs him...
...Former Finance Minister Dr Simba Makoni on Wednesday slammed political corruption and greed during the official transformation of his Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (MKD) movement into a political party.
A strong contingent of diplomats, media representatives and activists from MKD gathered for the official launch in Mbare, under the theme: ‘Real Change.’ The theme was decided as an ironic spin-off from the MDC’s campaign slogan - ‘Change you can trust,’ which the new MKD says is a promise that the MDC has not delivered on.
At Wednesday’s launch, Dr Makoni criticised the unity government for ushering in ‘fake change,’ while ‘bickering for vehicles’ and fighting internally for power and jobs. He accused the government of not taking the interests of the people to heart, but insisted that MKD was prepared to assist the government if it proves otherwise....
Ex ZANU-PF Finance minister Makoni is now starting his own breakaway party. He is slamming corruption, but has been accused of corruption in the past.
If you believe the Wikipedia post, the "corruption" was about a measley $25 000....which either means he was caught in some minor shennanigans (to small to count and so is incompetent), or he was so incompetent that he is only stealing small amounts of money, or that he is smart enough to steal without getting caught (competent and corrupt). Or maybe the guy is honest and the others lied about him.
the Wikipedia post also says Mutambara backs him...
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
China Gining Zim a loan
from the NYTimes
China is giving $950 million dollar loan to Zim...
this is in contrast to the West who worries that the loans will go into the pockets of the old government so they can continue to abuse human rights.
Again I'm having computer problems...go to link
China is giving $950 million dollar loan to Zim...
this is in contrast to the West who worries that the loans will go into the pockets of the old government so they can continue to abuse human rights.
Again I'm having computer problems...go to link
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
MDC boycott cabinet meeting
from the Zimbabwe Mail
...But Khupe said Mugabe continued to violate the political agreement, including failing to swear-in senior MDC official Roy Bennett as deputy agriculture minister, while the national security council had never met because "a few elite securocrats do not recognise the authority of the new order".
She said ZANU-PF was frustrating media reforms while MDC legislators and civil society members continued to be victimised and arrested.
The MDC has already asked the regional Southern African Development Community to mediate in a dispute over the appointment of the central bank governor and attorney general.
"For a long time we have remained the polite and subservient upholders of the GPA (global political agreement)," said Khupe.
"Whilst we remain fundamentally committed to the GPA in the interests of our people, it is our constitutional right to consider disengagement," she said, without elaborating.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Harare is the worst city to live in
From the Harare Tribune
Vancouver is the world's easiest city to live in, while Harare, Zimbabwe is the toughest, a new survey finds. While many European and North American cities placed near the top of the list, African and Asian locales typically finished closer to the bottom. (according to a survey in the Economist).
...Rounding out the bottom three are Algiers, Dhaka and Harare, as Zimbabwe struggles to emerge from an economic meltdown and President Robert Mugabe's iron grip over the country.
Vancouver is the world's easiest city to live in, while Harare, Zimbabwe is the toughest, a new survey finds. While many European and North American cities placed near the top of the list, African and Asian locales typically finished closer to the bottom. (according to a survey in the Economist).
...Rounding out the bottom three are Algiers, Dhaka and Harare, as Zimbabwe struggles to emerge from an economic meltdown and President Robert Mugabe's iron grip over the country.
State abducted activist
from the NYTimes
A prosecutor admitted during a Supreme Court hearing on Thursday that state security agents illegally abducted and detained Jestina Mukoko, a human rights advocate, in December. Ms. Mukoko, who led a civic group that documented the murder and torture of opposition activists, is seeking to halt the state’s attempt to prosecute her on charges of aiding an effort to topple President Robert Mugabe from power.
A prosecutor admitted during a Supreme Court hearing on Thursday that state security agents illegally abducted and detained Jestina Mukoko, a human rights advocate, in December. Ms. Mukoko, who led a civic group that documented the murder and torture of opposition activists, is seeking to halt the state’s attempt to prosecute her on charges of aiding an effort to topple President Robert Mugabe from power.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
MInister denies diamond field killing
SWRadioAfrica via All Africa:
Deputy Mining Minister Murisi Zwizwai has denied there were any killings in the eastern Marange diamond fields last year, telling a meeting of the Kimberley Process in Namibia on Wednesday that claims were a result of 'unsubstantiated reports'.
There have been widespread accounts of killings in the Chiadzwa area, which has been the centre of controversy since last October when the army was called in to disperse thousands of illegal diamond hunters. But Zwizwai told Wednesday's meeting of the Kimberley Process, the international scheme to curb the sale of 'blood diamonds', that the situation in Marange had been brought under control.
Deputy Mining Minister Murisi Zwizwai has denied there were any killings in the eastern Marange diamond fields last year, telling a meeting of the Kimberley Process in Namibia on Wednesday that claims were a result of 'unsubstantiated reports'.
There have been widespread accounts of killings in the Chiadzwa area, which has been the centre of controversy since last October when the army was called in to disperse thousands of illegal diamond hunters. But Zwizwai told Wednesday's meeting of the Kimberley Process, the international scheme to curb the sale of 'blood diamonds', that the situation in Marange had been brought under control.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Will the Green Revolution ever hit Africa?
from NYTimes Freakanomics blog:
go to link...I'll try to post excerpts when I go to the office computer later today
go to link...I'll try to post excerpts when I go to the office computer later today
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