{{Muslim “relatives” of a Sudanese Christian woman hiding at the US embassy are taking her to court to try to prove she belongs to their family, a lawyer said Tuesday.}}
The complainants are the same people who laid an apostasy charge against Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, 26, said the lawyer, Mohanad Mustafa.
Ishag was sentenced to death in May for apostasy from Islam, under Islamic sharia law that has been in force in Sudan since 1983 and outlaws conversions on pain of death.
An appeals court later quashed the verdict and sentence.
Her case raised questions of religious freedom and sparked deep concern among Western governments and human rights activists.
“In fact, it is not her family” who filed the cases, Mustafa told media. “They want to get her in trouble. Somebody supports them. I can’t mention who.”
Mustafa confirmed that a case has been lodged against Ishag in family court “to prove that Meriam is Abrar and she is one of the family.”
Muslims refer to her as Abrar al-Hadi Mohamed Abdalla.
Neither Ishag nor her lawyers have yet received documents confirming when the case will be heard, Mustafa said.
“I think the court will dismiss the case,” he added.
It is not a criminal action, meaning it would not affect her chances of travelling abroad.
Ishag is, however, charged criminally with forgery and providing false information in relation to a South Sudanese travel document she used last week while trying to leave Sudan for the United States, a day after the appeals court ruling.
On Sunday, lawyers asked prosecutors to dismiss the forgery-related charges.
Mustafa said that would leave Ishag and her family — including a baby daughter born while she was on death row — free to leave the country.
Ishag’s American husband Daniel Wani has said threats forced the family to go into hiding and seek the embassy’s protection.
A man claiming to be her brother has stated that the family would carry out the death sentence if she were acquitted, according to Christian activists.
Ishag was born to a Muslim father who abandoned the family, leaving her to be raised by her Ethiopian Orthodox Christian mother, according to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Khartoum, which said she joined the Catholic church shortly before she married.
The case has re-focussed attention on a country which has slipped from the international spotlight but where an 11-year-old war and other unrest continues in Darfur, government troops and rebels are fighting in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and millions of people need humanitarian aid.
{{Swiss private banking group Edmund de Rothschild will invest US$530mn in Africa to develop the continent’s economy and raise the living standards of the middle class population.}}
According to reports, the funds will be managed by Amethis, an Africa-centric financing firm.
The company, which is majority owned by Rothschild, has already invested in five African companies including Kenyan Chase Bank and gas distributor Petro Ivoire.
Rothschild, along with Dubai-based private equity investor Abraaj and Washington-based asset management firm Carlyle, will be seeking investors to focus on minority stakes in small to medium-sized companies, stated Reuters.
After five years, investors will have the option to convert their stakes in the fund into shares of a company that could then float to gain permanent capital, allowing them to retain investments over a long period, rather than having to sell them after five to six years, according to reports.
Based on information gathered by data provider Preqin, private equity funds targeting Africa attracted US$2.4bn in 2013 – nearly double the amount from 2012. In early 2014, Carlyle secured nearly US$700mn for its first sub-Saharan African fund – lesser than Helios Partners’ US$908mn pool – considered the largest thus far.
Johnny El Hachem, chief executive of Compagnie Benjamin de Rothschild Conseil, said, “We are looking for high-return projects but with a strong social development aspect. Time counts in Africa. You can get much better returns if you stay longer.”
{{ A number of Indian companies have announced their intention to invest in Africa’s mining and power sectors at the recently held 11th edition of the West African Mining and Power Exhibition (WAMPEX)}}
The expo, held in Accra, Ghana, and was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with the support of India’s commerce ministry.
Rachna Jindal, deputy director of CII, commented, “There are lots of opportunities in Ghana, and for that matter Africa, for Indian companies to take advantage, and so, the companies from India have come to showcase what they can offer. We have the technology that is appropriate and are ready to make our expertise available to those countries that need it.”
According to a mining study released by KPMG, the African continent contributed 6.5 per cent of the world’s mineral exports in 2011, by mining 20 per cent of the world’s land area. Members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) produce two-thirds of Africa’s mineral exports by value, with South Africa leading the pack.
Ghana, in particular, is richly endowed with natural resources like gold, diamond, manganese, bauxite, iron ore, limestone, kaolin, feldspar and silica sands. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana, in its website, stated political stability, availability of geological data, favourable investment climate and improvised governance as reasons which put Ghana in a favourable spot with investors.
Jeeva Sagar, Indian high commissioner to Ghana, said, “Ghana is rich in resources while Indian technology and expertise in mining and power sectors is appropriate to and consistent with this friendly country’s developmental model.
The coming together of these complementary strengths augurs well for the bilateral economic cooperation between India and Ghana.”
Shubham Maheshwari, director of Shashwat Cables in Dehradun in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand, said his company was looking for opportunities in Ethiopia and Ghana even though they have their sights set across the African continent as a whole to invest.
“We want to partner with companies in the power industry initially to supply our products but will be looking at joint ventures that will eventually lead to setting up production facility in Africa,” Maheshwari added.
• Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
• Silvana Koch-Melhrin, Founder and Chair of the Women in Parliament global forum,
• President of the Rwandan Senate,
• Speakers of Parliament,
• Honorable Ministers,
• Senators and Members of Parliament,
• Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good evening,
We are so used to being taken out by men, but it feels good, rather refreshing to have a ladies night out. I thank the Women In Parliament global forum, for choosing Rwanda to host its 2014 summer summit.
By virtue of your positions, it feels as though the millions you represent were actually in the room with us. Tonight, I promise to spare you the statistics because I know how difficult they can be to digest with dinner. I will simply share a few thoughts on the forum’s theme: how the spirit of women in Parliaments can advance societies.
We thank you for coming together to share ideas and inspiration, on how you can be better enablers, of an equal and just world. Nous vous remercions de vous etre reunies afin d’echanger des idees et vous inspirer mutuellement, sur le moyen de devenir de meilleurs catalyseurs en vue d’un monde juste et equitable.
Rwanda is pleased and honored to welcome such a force, especially at this significant time in our journey – 20 years since the liberation of our country, from the genocidal regime.
As we come out of the 100 days of mourning, we salute the women who shouldered an immense burden during this most tragic time of our history, enduring horrors that would shake any human being to the core.
In these next few days, the national mood will be punctuated by a sense of gratitude, to the Rwandan sons and daughters who stopped the genocide against the Tutsi.
We hold our liberation process and those that led it, in high regard, we are conscious of the price they had to pay. Their sacrifice is warm in our veins.
As the world watched on television, these brave men and women stopped to look fear in the face and fought evil with purpose and passion. They refused to close their eyes and hearts to the worst form of human cruelty, a people can face.
We would be remiss if we did not pay tribute to our defense forces as we celebrate the 20th liberation. These valiant men and women in uniform continue to be part and parcel of Rwanda’s development.
They have truly surpassed our expectations by not only protecting civilians, but also providing practical solutions to daily problems.
For instance: they introduced the annual ‘Army Week’ initiative. They build schools, homes for survivors of the genocide, health centers and they provide medical care for communities.
They have participated in peacekeeping missions in Africa and beyond, where they help women make energy-saving stoves to limit their visits to the bushes in search of firewood, risking rape and death. They have held the Rwandan flag high.
Our National Police has also played a pivotal role in the campaign to end violence against women and girls in Rwanda, and hosts the Africa Centre for Security Organs to end Violence against women and girls, mobilizing an unprecedented 32 African countries against this pandemic.
Since we have only a few men in the room, let me hope they will not take offense at what I am about to say. In the last few centuries, under the exclusive leadership of men we have seen 2 world wars; several genocides; the rise of terrorism; a world dictated by the scramble for scarce resources, and the advancement of strategic interests at the expense of human dignity. I am only stating facts, no emotions.
{{Ladies and gentlemen:}}
While we are not going to pretend that women can fix all the problems, I believe we can make a difference, at this tipping point. Some would argue that people only respond to economic incentives and force.
As women we dream of a world where soft power: aspects such as values, culture, innovation can be compatible with the responsible quest for global influence and wealth creation.
True, the world has evolved and demands that we aspire for more and better. The age we live in requires more of our skills and energy. Martin Luther King said and I quote ‘there is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time’. Ladies, this is our time. For a second, can you imagine what the world would miss out on, if they had ignored and excluded such a powerful group?
We enjoyed the confident and bold expressions from Sophia, Natacha and Angel, along with our graceful traditional dancers. I cannot forget Sandrine and Carole, our MCs. These young women are the face of Rwandan women all over this country.
Women who work very hard and are in fact the ones delivering key targets, such as the Millennium Development Goals, on behalf of Rwanda. They need to be encouraged to do even better.
I also want to acknowledge women leaders at national and community level. They have been instrumental in Rwanda’s rebirth and reconstruction and some of them are in the room tonight. This was all made possible, thanks to a visionary leadership that recognized our rightful space.
As legislators representing millions of constituents, I wish to leave you with a few challenges:
• Will you be remembered as the generation of global women leaders that used its power to reach out to the often forgotten?
• Are you ready to protect and sustain the gains women have made?
• And if I may borrow from Angel, will you be a legend?
As I close my remarks, I would like to thank you for associating with Rwanda, especially at this time. This global sisterhood means a lot to us. Thank you for your kind attention and I wish you a memorable stay in Rwanda.
{{Rwanda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Williams Nkurunziza, is the new Chair of Commonwealth Secretariat Board of Governors. }}
Having been elected unanimously by his fellow Board members, he took up his responsibilities on 1 July 2014.
Mr Nkurunziza succeeds His Excellency Carl Roberts, High Commissioner for Antigua and Barbuda to the United Kingdom, and will serve in this position for two years.
All 53 Commonwealth member states are represented on the Board of Governors, which meets annually to consider Commonwealth Secretariat work plans and budgets.
Speaking after discussions with Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma at Marlborough House, the Commonwealth headquarters in London, Mr Nkurunziza said: “I am profoundly grateful to my fellow Governors for their confidence and for entrusting me and my country with this important responsibility.
I look forward to working with my fellow Governors and the senior management of the Commonwealth Secretariat to ensure that the organisation continues to deliver good value to the member states and all our citizens.”
Greeting Mr Nkurunziza on his first day as Chair, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said: “The High Commissioner for Rwanda takes up his duties as Chair of our Board of Governors on the day we open a new chapter at the Commonwealth Secretariat. The structure of our divisions and our staffing arrangements have been reformed.”
Mr Sharma said he felt sure that they would enjoy a warm and productive relationship as they work together to deliver the Secretariat’s strategic plan for advancing democracy, development and respect for diversity in all Commonwealth countries.
He said: “I look forward to working in close and fruitful collaboration with His Excellency Williams Nkurunziza to serve the needs of all our member states in fresh and practical ways, and to achieve impact that will fulfil their high ambitions for the Commonwealth.”
The Secretary-General said that Mr Nkurunziza comes well prepared for the role of Chair, having served as Chair of the Board’s Executive Committee for the past year.
About HE Williams Nkurunziza
Prior to taking up his role in the UK, Mr Nkurunziza served in India, as High Commissioner of Rwanda there, with concurrent accreditations to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as well as designate-Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Union of Myanmar.
Before joining the diplomatic service, he served as Director General of the Rwanda Investment and Export Promotional Agency (RIEPA) during which time he worked tirelessly to reposition post-genocide Rwanda in the international marketplace as an ideal investment destination and a reliable trading partner.
During this time, he also served on President Paul Kagame’s Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
H.E. Nkurunziza is widely travelled and has attended and or addressed international conferences and seminars in over 50 countries across the world – in the Americas, Europe (including the UK), Africa and Asia, on Rwanda’s socio-econo-political development, investment opportunities and potential for trade partnerships.
{{A cargo plane crashed into a commercial building in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, shortly after taking off from the city’s main airport on Wednesday and the four crew members on board were feared dead, the Kenyan Airports Authority (KAA) said.}}
Television footage showed the tail and wings of a white plane ripped in half outside a smouldering two-storey building left mangled by the force of the impact.
KAA said on its Twitter feed all the crew members were “feared to have perished”. Kenyan media reported the four crew members were killed.
“A Fokker 50 cargo plane with 4 people on board has this morning crashed at a commercial building in Utawala after taking off from JKIA,” KAA said on its Twitter feed.
The plane crashed into shops in Nairobi’s Embekasi neighbourhood near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where a terminal was gutted by a major fire last year.
JKIA is east Africa’s busiest airport and acts as vital travel gateway to the region.
{{A wealthy Chinese businessman who once tried to buy the New York Times offered a free lunch of seared tuna and filet mignon to several hundred homeless New Yorkers at a swank Central Park restaurant on Wednesday.}}
Chen Guangbiao, who made his fortune in the recycling business, took out newspaper advertisements last week inviting “poor and destitute Americans” to lunch in the park.
Several hundred people showed up for the lunch and Chen entertained them by singing “We Are the World,” the 1985 charity hit song to fund African famine relief, and a ceremony in which Chen was presented with a certificate declaring him “the world’s greatest philanthropist.”
He announced to applause and cheers he would hand out $300 (£176.7) to each of the guests and also introduced a self-immolation survivor whose medical treatment he paid for.
“If you have a river (of wealth) you better know how to share it with other people,” Chen said. “We are one big happy family in the world.
“Diners were seated around dozens of round tables covered with white table cloths and set with china and fine cutlery in the banquet room of the Loeb Boathouse, backdrop for such films as “When Harry Met Sally” and television shows including “Sex and the City.”
Standing on the periphery were dozens of Chinese nationals in green uniforms.
Chris Weber, 38, said he heard about the event at the New York City Rescue Mission – a homeless shelter that helped organise the event and where he sometimes receive free dinners. He said he enjoyed the lunch but found it “a little propaganda-y.”
“It’s a nice gesture but I’m guessing he also has a motive,” he said.
{{Madagascar needs to reform its fuel subsidy programme which does not help its poorest people, a senior International Monetary Fund official said as the lender considers more funding for the Indian Ocean island.}}
Famed for its wildlife and eyed by foreign companies for its minerals, Madagascar has struggled to lure back tourists and attract oil and mining giants since a coup in 2009.
The coup also prompted international donors to cut ties, leaving the economy to stagnate and poverty to deepen.
The IMF resumed its relationship with Madagascar earlier this year after peaceful elections in December, and in mid June approved a $47.1 million emergency loan to help the country meet urgent balance of payment needs.
IMF’s Deputy Managing Director Min Zhu said told Reuters in an interview late on Monday during a visit to the country that the government’s fuel subsidy programme – which costs 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) – was not reaching the vulnerable.
“Studies show the poorest people do not benefit from the major part of the subsidy. The big chunk of the money goes to the middle and upper class,” he said.
“The government needs to prepare a targeted programme to help the poorest because if there is an oil price increase the poor will suffer.”
Without giving a specific forecast, Zhu said in a separate statement that Madagascar’s economic growth was expected to rise further in 2015 compared with a 3 percent forecast for this year, helped mostly by the mining sector.
{{At least one United Nations peacekeeper was killed and six others injured in Mali on Monday when their vehicle struck a land mine in the north of the country, a U.N. spokesman said.}}
Three of the peacekeepers, all from Burkina Faso, were seriously hurt in the blast, the latest in a serious of incidents underscoring insecurity in northern Mali despite the French and U.N. troops who deployed to drive out al Qaeda-linked Islamists last year.
“A vehicle from the Burkinabe contingent hit a mine, injuring seven soldiers, four of them seriously,” Olivier Salgado told Reuters. “One of the four subsequently died.”
Salgado said the explosion took place outside the town of Goundam in Timbuktu region.
The explosion comes as Burkina Faso President Blaise Compaore, a key figure in regional politics, visited Mali on Monday in a bid to revive dialogue with rebels still occupying positions in Mali’s desert north.
Al Qaeda-linked Islamist groups took advantage of an uprising by Tuareg separatist rebel fighters and a military coup in the capital to seize Mali’s vast desert north in 2012.
France dispatched thousands of troops last year to drive the Islamists out of the zone and a U.N. peacekeeping mission is rolling out to try to stabilise the fragile northern regions.
But pockets of Islamists that remain have launched a series of bomb attacks on Malian and U.N. troops this year.
Mali’s government and rebel groups not officially linked to the Islamist militants are due to complete peace talks.
However, Mali’s army lost 50 soldiers in a failed bid last month to dislodge Tuareg separatists still occupying the town of Kidal.
Mali’s foreign minister last week called on the United Nations to speed up deploying the remainder of its promised 12,000-member peacekeeping force and station more troops in the north.
{{FIFA remained silent on Tuesday regarding allegations that Cameroon players played a part in fixing the results of their World Cup group matches.}}
FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer would not confirm or deny that soccer’s world ruling body was investigating the claims, adding that even if it was, it would not reveal that information.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, met by reporters at his hotel in Rio, said: “Yes I have been told about this but let them do their work on this investigation.”
Fischer reiterated that FIFA would not be commenting at this stage in line with its usual policy.
“As we have said consistently – prior to the FIFA World Cup and now during it – we do not provide any comments as to whether or not an investigation is underway with regard to any alleged manipulation in any match, amongst others so as not to compromise any possible investigations,” she said.
The Cameroon FA said on Monday that it was to investigate claims of match-fixing in their Group A games, especially the match against Croatia.
Joseph Owona, president of the Cameroon FA’s Normalisation Committee, said its ethics committee had been instructed to investigate the claims.
Cameroon lost all three Group A matches, including a 4-0 defeat by Croatia.
