African Media Coverage
November 2009
Featured articles
Uganda- The Daily Monitor
Sudanese refugees return to Arua
26 November 2009
Even after the civil war that ended in 2005, hundreds of Sudanese are resettling in Arua District despite the return of peace in their motherland, the deputy resident district commissioner has said.
Speaking during the commissioning of health facilities at Madi-Okollo in Arua on Tuesday, Mr Henry Ringakech said the district resources are strained due to the massive return of Sudanese.
The Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, who was the guest of honour, said Sudanese who return must live in peace with Ugandans
“The condition in Sudan is still not well. But they should settle peacefully with the community,” he said.
Read the article here.
Kenya- The Daily Nation
Draft laws give women big boost
21 November 2009
Women are emerging as the biggest beneficiaries of the proposed constitution with a raft of measures included to secure their rights in law.
The draft guarantees that at least a third of members of all elective institutions in which public policy is shaped will be women. They are also guaranteed representation in other key non-elective bodies such as the Court of Appeal.
If passed, the proposals will see Kenya on the way to attaining the levels of female representation enjoyed in some of the most equal societies on this score in the world including Rwanda (where 48.8 per cent of lawmakers are female), Sweden (47 per cent), Cuba (43.2 per cent), Finland (41.5 per cent) and Argentina (40 per cent).
Read the article here.
Namibia- New Era
Sworn statements expose voter registration to fraud
12 November 2009
Sworn statements to prove one's citizenship for the purpose of elections has created a loophole for foreigners to illegally obtain voters' cards with the aim to participate in Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for November 27 and 28.
By law, for one to register to vote, he or she can provide to the registration officer, a driver's licence, identity card, birth certificate or passport.
However, in cases where one has none of the above, the law provides that the person may present two registered voters who would, under oath, make sworn statements to confirm the identity of the applicant at the registration venue.
It is this stipulation that has allowed some foreigners to obtain voters' cards during the registration process.
Read the article here.