By Mohamed Nuxurkey – After many years of life under Alshabab control, free women dressing in soft clothes, man smoking in the streets and teenagers playing football with one flag waving visibly inside abandoned Alshabab districts in the capital Mogadishu. As Mogadishu residents wake up about the news that Shabaab fighters had left from most of the capital Mogadishu on Saturday morning, many people felt anticipation of hope that they would return home after missing their homes for so long. Some of the people began to visit their homes to begin repairs but officials of the Somali government are repeatedly... Continue Reading
The 11th annual Zimfest music, sport, arts and culture event will this year contribute funds to the East Africa Crisis appeal of the British Red Cross. Announcing the return of the eclectic festival to London’s Raynes Park on the 27th of August, the event’s organisers pledged to donate funds towards the East African crisis which has seen more than 10 million people facing desperate food shortages following the worst drought in 60 years. Prospective donors and well wishers can contribute to the Zimfest/British Red Cross appeal on the Just Giving online page: http://www.justgiving.com/Zimfest Zimfest coordinator, Hilton Mendelsohn, said: “Zimfest has... Continue Reading
By Nangayi Guyson – Kampala – Ugandan court has dropped all charges against opposition leader Kizza Besigye in connection with this year’s cost of living protests. Kizza Besigye was arrested four times and accused of inciting violence during the protests, in which Ugandans were urged to walk to work. On another occasion, he was beaten by police which sparked more protests. Human rights groups condemned the suppression of the protests, in which at least nine people died. Magistrate George Wetyekere acquitted Mr Besigye of the three remaining charges – disobeying lawful orders, rioting after proclamation and incitement of violence. Another... Continue Reading
Mobile news services offer high hopes for African publishers, who now have a new handbook to help them develop their mobile media and mobile businesses. The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the African Media Initiative (AMI) have just published “Mobile Media Services At Sub-Saharan African Newspapers: A Guide To Implementing Mobile News And Mobile Business”, aimed at helping African newspapers harness this important platform in the region. The handbook includes case studies gathered through interviews with newspapers in Uganda, Kenya and South Africa, including the Observer and Daily Monitor in Uganda, the Standard and the Daily... Continue Reading
….As Red Cross Donates Relief Items to disabled Communities – By: Augustine N. Myers: The Liberian leader, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has dedicated chapter offices of the Liberian Red Cross in Voinjama and two sub-branch offices including a guest house in Zorzor and Kolahun in Lofa County. Speaking at the dedicatory ceremony which was part of the July 26, 2011 independence celebrations in Lofa County recently, Johnson-Sirleaf lauded the Liberian Red Cross for transforming its humanitarian programs into actual development intended to buttress the Poverty Reduction Program in the Country. The President further praised the Liberian Red Cross for being visible... Continue Reading
