NEWSBRIEFS

Huge Heist by Ghanaian Bank Officers Worse Than Feared

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK | ACCRA (IDN) – Depositors may want to steer clear of banking in Ghana while over a dozen bank officers and shareholders face claims they lent themselves millions of dollars but failed to repay.

Business Ghana, a local news outlet, reported that 13 shareholders and directors of the defunct Capital Bank Ghana Limited and UT Bank engaged in acts that led to the collapse of the two banks.

By their alleged actions, the defendants “have breached their fiduciary duties under the Companies Code and have caused serious financial loss to the banks,” say receivers for the defunct banks.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 13 November 2018

Photo: Karipbek Kuyukov with Kazakh Ambassador to Austria.

ATOM Project Ambassador Kuyukov Receives Nuclear-Free Future Award

By Kazinform

ASTANA (IDN) – Kazakhstan's famous artist, activist of the international anti-nuclear movement and Honorary Ambassador of ATOM Project Karipbek Kuyukov has received Nuclear-Free Future Award (NFFA).

The awarding ceremony was held end of October at Salzburg University in Austria.

Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Austria Kairat Sarybay congratulated NFFA laureates and highly praised their anti-nuclear activity. He said that the award proves recognition of Kazakhstan's role and Kazakh President's initiative on global processes in nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

: Ramesh Jaura; CENTRAL ASIA; 05 November 2018

Photo: David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Credit: UN

UN Expert Reiterates Call for Investigation of Khashoggi's Murder

NEW YORK (IDN) – David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, has reiterated the call for an "independent investigative body" to examine the case of the late Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was reportedly killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. He stressed the need for a "credible statement about what actually happened."

: Ramesh Jaura; UN INSIDER; 24 October 2018

Uproar Over Expulsion of Kenyan Professor by Zambia

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – China’s influence in Africa has some leaders trying hard to please their new, rich and seemingly generous foreign partners.

Zambian authorities recently roiled the nation’s waters by deporting an influential pan-Africanist professor before he could disembark at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and before he could address a class of graduating university seniors on the topic: “Africa in the age of China’s Global Influence and Global Geodynamics.”

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 09 October 2018

Photo: Angolan President João Lourenço addressed European parliamentarians in a formal sitting in July 2018. Credit: European Union 2018 - EP

New Angolan President Makes His Presence Felt As Dos Santos Empire Collapses

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – One reason why African presidents may cling to power, even re-writing the constitution to grant them extra terms, may be the case of Angola.

Newly elected President João Lourenço is sending shivers across the continent as he relentlessly attempts to recoup billions of dollars subverted from the national treasury, including by members of the previous regime – former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos, billionaire daughter Isabel and son Jose Filomeno dos Santos – aka Zenu.

The president’s son is meanwhile under arrest for the formation of a criminal organization, illegal enrichment, money laundering and corruption.

: Global Information Network; NEWSBRIEFS; 07 October 2018

Photo: Victoire Umuhoza Ingabire. Credit: The Charleston Chronicle.

Rwanda Outlaws Political Cartoons and an Opposition Leader Goes Free

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW York (IDN) – The Rwandese government of Paul Kagame has outlawed the drawing of cartoons that portray politicians/leaders in an unflattering manner.

Anyone who draws such a cartoon risks imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to Rwf1 million ($1,145). If the cartoon targets a session of parliament or a “top ranking official,” the penalty is doubled.

Media experts say this is a huge blow to the profession and will greatly hamper their work.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 07 October 2018

Photo: A horrific video circulating online appears to show women and children being blindfolded and executed at point blank range in Cameroon.

Grim Shadow Over Cameroon President's Re-Election Bid

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – As the clock ticked down to October 7 presidential elections in Cameroon, President Paul Biya remained tightlipped about a grisly video gone viral of two mothers and their infant children executed in cold blood by government soldiers.

The grainy video shows two women – one with a baby on her back and another holding hands with a young child – walking across a dirt patch. Armed men walk behind them, and one yells in French “You are B.H. (Boko Haram), you are going to die.” The women are forced to kneel. Shots ring out and the women fall to the ground, one with her child still strapped to her back.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 06 October 2018

Tanzanians Search For Reasons Behind Latest Ferry Disaster

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) – Tanzanian President John Magufuli took action against a ferry captain and all of the crew as the number of bodies pulled from Lake Victoria in the latest maritime disaster topped 200.

Magufuli told the nation on September 21 that the captain left the ferry's steering in the hands of a person not trained for the job. The death toll has reached 223, but could go higher as more bodies are pulled out of the water.

Initial reports put the blame on overcrowding, but an investigation will determine the exact cause, the Tanzanian leader said. Some reports said the boat had a capacity to carry 100 people, but was carrying an estimated 400 instead.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 28 September 2018

Photo (left to right): ACP Group Secretary-General Dr Gomes and IFAD President Houngbo exchange letters of intent to strengthen cooperation. Credit: ACP

79-Nation ACP Group and IFAD Agree to Strengthen Cooperation

By J Nastranis

NEW YORK (ACP-IDN) – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), an international financial institution and specialized United Nations agency based in Rome, and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States with Secretariat in Brussels plan to intensify their collaboration in several areas of common interest, such as joint financing, research, studies, and policy dialogue.

With this in view, ACP Secretary-General Dr. Patrick I. Gomes and IFAD President Gilbert Houngbo have signed a letter of intent on September 25 on the margins of the 73rd Session of UN General Assembly (UNGA73).

: J Nastranis; GLOBAL GOVERNANCE; ACP Group of States; 27 September 2018

The Call of the Most Excluded

By Emmaus International*

“It is not enough to take action, we must overcome, that is to say, take more action than the forces moving in the other direction”. Abbé Pierre

GENEVA (IDN) – The World Forum of Alternatives led by the most excluded was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from September 17-20, 2018 on the invitation of Emmaus International and its allies: movements led by people living in poverty and deprivation and victims of all types of discrimination.

The following is taken from the statement issued at the closing of the meeting.