World
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera takes over as SADC chair
Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera will this week take over the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at the Ordinary Summit Of Heads of States and Government in Lilongwe. Chakwera takes the baton from Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique who assumed the chairmanship of the SADC in August 2020.
The SADC summit started on Monday, with a meeting of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials and Finance Committee, where Principal Secretary for the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation, Dr Luckie Sikwese, assumed the chairmanship, taking over from Ambassador Carlos Rodrigues Da Costa of Mozambique. This was followed by a meeting of SADC council of ministers and the SADC Organ Troika Summit.
Heads of State and Government will meet from 17 to 18 August.
The summit in Lilongwe will take stock of progress made in promoting and deepening regional integration in line with the SADC’s Vision 2050, which envisages a peaceful, inclusive, competitive, middle to high income industrialised region where all citizens enjoy sustainable economic well-being, justice, and freedom.
The executive secretary of the SADC Stergomena Lawrence Tax will be leaving after serving for eight years, and a new executive secretary would be sworn in. Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have both nominated candidates for the position.
Botswana wants Elias Mpedi Magosi to take up the position while DRC has named Faustin Luanga Mukela as its candidate for the top SADC post. During his visit to Lesotho in May, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, said his country was bringing to the table the best candidate for the SADC Secretariat post.
“We do not bring a fluke to the table, he is no pushover. The man has impeccable credentials. He is a top rated technocrat by our standards in Botswana,” he told journalists in Lesotho.
Masisi said Magosi was highly qualified for the post, having worked for the Botswana government in various roles including as head of the country’s public service, and as a director of human resource and administration at the SADC Secretariat, from March 2017 to April 2018.
According to Magosi’s profile, he has a wealth of experience and requisite leadership competencies gained in executive management in both the public and private sectors, as well as within international organisations.
In January the DRC proposed the name of economist Faustin Luanga Mukela, as its candidate for the post of executive secretary of the SADC. The Democratic Republic of Congo was also confident that its candidate was no a ‘pushover’.
Presenting Mukela’s credential, the government said he had more than 25 years of national and international experience on issues related to the economic development of countries, and their integration into a multilateral trade system. Malawian activist Slyvester Namiwa, was arrested on August 11 at Parliament Building near the Bingu International Convention Centre where the SADC summit was under way.
Namiwa, executive director for Centre of Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), was arrested while leading a demonstration at parliament in Lilongwe, calling for President Lazarus Chakwera, to set up a committee to investigate the motive behind the “smuggling” of the loan authorisation bill in parliament. The bill sought to get government approval for a loan to finance construction of houses for the police and soldiers.
The pressure group also wants parliament to explain how a loan authorisation bill was irregularly tabled for debate. The bill was included in the parliaments order paper on July 9 without the approval of the office of the attorney general and the cabinet committee on legal affairs and ministry of justice, according to local media reports.
According to online news outlet Malawi24, the Lilongwe City Council had not granted permission for the demonstration because of the SADC summit in the city, and Covid-19 restrictions.
The pressure group announced on August 6, that it had planned activities to draw attention of the delegates to the SADC summit about the issues affecting the region in general, and Malawi in particular.
Namiwa said the main issues were the deteriorating human rights situation in Malawi, and the concerns raised by the Rwandan Refugees and asylum seekers, who were being hosted by Malawi, a country that had recently signed a pact with Rwanda. This pact, is likely to make Malawi contravene some of the international peace protocols, the country signed and promised to abide by, given Rwanda’s tendency of hunting down its nationals that fled the country due to political persecution,” he said.
The SADC is an organisation of 16 Member States established in 1980 as the Southern African Development Coordinating Conference (SADCC), which in August 1992 transformed into the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Its mission is to promote sustainable and equitable economic growth and socio-economic development through efficient, productive systems, deeper cooperation and integration, good governance and durable peace and security so that the region emerges as a competitive and effective player in international relations and the world economy.
Member States are Angola, Botswana, the Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In other news – Actress Rami Chuene mourns
It’s a sad day today for Rami Chuene and her family as they have lost a loved one in a car accident. The Isono actress revealed on social media that the woman they reported missing was actually found but she was deceased.
A few hours ago, Rami pleaded with her followers to spread the word about a woman named Charlotte Sekgobela, who went missing. Learn more
Source: News365
Nigeria was once hailed as one of Africa’s strongest and greatest nations, but recent years have seen a troubling decline marked by economic downturn, rising insecurity, and deteriorating international standing. The hardships faced by citizens have become unbearable, with many struggling to survive. It is in this context that the youth, the backbone of our nation, are stepping forward to demand change.
To the vibrant and passionate youths of Nigeria, your right to protest is enshrined in our constitution. It is a powerful tool for expressing dissent and demanding accountability. However, it is crucial to remember that the effectiveness of your message is amplified when delivered peacefully. Vandalizing property and engaging in violence not only undermines the legitimacy of your cause but also puts innocent lives at risk.
Peaceful protest is not a sign of weakness; it is a testament to your strength and maturity. It shows that you are capable of demanding change without resorting to destruction. Let us honor the legacy of past leaders who fought for our rights with dignity and respect for human life.
A Call to the Government and Political Leaders
To our government and political leaders, the voices of the people are crying out for change. It is your duty to listen and act. The grievances being expressed are not new; they reflect years of neglect and mismanagement. The time for empty promises is over. Concrete actions are needed to address the economic challenges, improve security, and restore Nigeria’s standing on the global stage.
The youths of Nigeria are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today. They deserve a government that listens to their concerns and works tirelessly to create a better future for all. Engaging in open dialogue and taking decisive steps to address the issues at hand will not only alleviate the current crisis but also rebuild the trust between the government and the people.
As the protests is on, let us all remember that our common goal is to build a better Nigeria. This can only be achieved through peaceful and constructive actions. To the youths, march with purpose and resolve, knowing that your peaceful stance speaks volumes. To the government and political leaders, hear the cries of your people and take meaningful steps to make things right.
Source: vanguardngr
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for transparency, accountability and the elimination of unnecessary expenditures to cut down on the cost of governance in the country. Akpabio made the call on Monday at a one-day dialogue on the cost of governance in Nigeria organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in Abuja.
Akpabio, who was represented by Sen. Agom Jarigbe (PDP-Rivers) highlighted the possible factors contributing to the high cost of governance in the country.He said the size of the country’s bureaucracy, the escalating public service wage bills, the overhead costs of appointed public officials, and the salaries and allowances of elected officials are major factors.
According to him, the running of government institutions among other substantial components contributed to weighing down the economy and hindering development efforts. Let us hold ourselves accountable and take responsibility for the betterment of our nation. We have to ensure that our government operates efficiently and effectively, serving the needs of the people and fostering sustainable development,” he said.
The president of the senate emphasized the need to streamline bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary expenditures, and ensured transparency and accountability at all levels of governance. We must invest in our human capital, empowering our public officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive progress.
“And we must foster a culture of innovation and creativity, where new ideas can flourish and transform our nation,” he said.Akpabio urged all Nigerians to remain united, become agents of change and be committed to making sacrifices for the nation. He said that the 10th Assembly was ready to partner with all stakeholders to do everything within its constitutional powers to make Nigeria for all citizens.
Source: pmnewsnigeria
In other news – Bad leaders making the life of Nigerians miserable – Pastor Giwa
The senior pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa, on Sunday, lamented that the economic situation in Nigeria has gone from bad to worse under President Bola Tinubu.
The clergyman noted that bad leaders were intentionally making life miserable for Nigerians. Read more
A Chinese national who was arrested yesterday at the Harare magistrate court on allegations of smuggling more than 100 tonnes of Cynide has claimed to be a diplomat.
Li Song who is facing several allegations that include money laundering, extenalisation, theft and attempted murder has been released by the National Prosecuting Authority to the amusement of the complainants who have a solid evidence against her.
According to the source who attended the vetting process Li Song claimed to be a diplomat who is immune from arrest in the country and the members of Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission went to the Chinese embassy to verify her claim..
According to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission officers Somg was taken to Avondale police station cells for verification.
The notorious Chinese national has been implicated in various offences in the country and is also suspected to be one of the suspect in the poisoning of elephants with Cynide in the country.
Song is accused of externalizing more than US$11 million to an offshore bank account and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is a complainant in the case.
Song was arrested at the Harare magistrates court by members of Zacc and is expected to appear in court today.
According to the source Li improtedd more than 100 tonnes of Cynide but was later found with 40 tonnes which was stores at different places in a bid to use it in court to obstruct the course of justice.
Li was recently summons to appear in court on May 21 on allegations of externalization and moneylaundering which Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is the complainant.
She is accused of externalizing US$11 million through the central bank after manufacturing invoices to get forex at the bank’s auction system.
The Chinese national who is also referred as a defacto ambassador of China is also facing allegations of attempting to kill her business partner Franesco Marconati who is the owner of Eagle Italian Leather and Shoes.