Nigeria: The Trouble With Graft

NIGERIA

The Trouble with Graft

In 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari became the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent at the ballot box in Nigeria, thanks to a pledge to root out corruption. But two years on, internecine battles are hampering the big fight.

Earlier this month, armed secret policemen stopped the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from arresting former National Intelligence Agency chief Ayodele Oke – whom Buhari sacked for stashing $43 million in cash in his wife’s apartment, Bloomberg reported.

But that’s just the latest in a string of incidents that have raised questions about Buhari’s war on corruption – which has again and again been plagued by inter-agency rivalry. Ibrahim Magu, Buhari’s pick to head the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has himself been rejected twice by the legislature based on state security police reports of alleged prior wrongdoing.

Critics say the anti-graft campaign has focused on Buhari’s opponents and ignored his supporters. A former defense minister under Buhari’s predecessor, for instance, saw a case accusing him of receiving $13 million in slush funds quashed just before his defection to Buhari’s party.

Two Former Mugabe Allies Held Without Bail In Zimbabwe

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/27/world/africa/zimbabwe-chombo-chipanga-mugabe.html?mabReward=CTM3&recid=0wz9uNYolFqwsk7p3uBjaC3HbAj&recp=0&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine&_r=0

South Africa: A Promise Betrayed

SOUTH AFRICA

A Promise, Betrayed

The imminent fall of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe has raised serious questions about the future of Jacob Zuma, the president of neighboring South Africa.

Both men have presided over corruption and economic decline, and both have lost the confidence of the ruling parties that played key roles in ending the white supremacist regimes that were legacies of British rule on the continent.

Next month, there will be a pivotal moment. The African National Congress will elect a new party leader.

Already, there are calls for Zuma to step down as head of state rather than finish the last two years of his term, party whip Jackson Mthembu told Reuters. That would give the party stalwarts time to reorganize and distance themselves from the president’s perfidy, argued Mthembu.

“You can’t keep him there,” he said.

Those striking comments came amid the buzz surrounding a recent book, “The President’s Keepers,” by investigative journalist Jacques Pauw. The text argues Zuma is more a racketeer than a politician, running a government where bribery and self-dealing have become de rigueur.

Echoing the events leading to Mugabe’s troubles, the damage to Zuma was largely self-inflicted. State security officials attempted to recall the book, while tax authorities threatened a lawsuit against the author. Zuma’s arrogance and stupidity – believing he could suppress the book and that nobody would notice – piqued the public’s interest.

“The book flew off the shelves, selling out by the weekend,” wroteQuartz.

These things have consequences. The South African economy, a vital hub in the region, is tanking. Investors are fleeing the country, reported the Maverick, a respected online newspaper. Debt is skyrocketing. Unemployment is reaching 28 percent. The public utility, Eskom, is on the brink of insolvency, likely necessitating a bailout.

In a compelling news feature, The New York Times described how South Africa’s economy under Zuma has failed to uplift those ground down under Apartheid: the poor blacks living in the country’s sprawling slums.

Meanwhile, the British bank HSBC recently closed accounts belonging to the Gupta clan, a rich family accused of “state capture,” or bribing politicians like Zuma to do their bidding, Bloomberg reported. British regulators are investigating whether the bank facilitated money laundering linked to the Guptas.

The contrast between poor ordinary folks and corrupt leaders is becoming untenable.

“There’s still a very strong, kind of powerful thing around him to try and protect Jacob Zuma, but he’s certainly losing followers by the day,” journalist Kim Cloete told PRI. “I think his time is running out.”

The question, however, is what Zuma might do with the time he has left.

Some Funny Pictures From Africa

PERFORMANCE AWARDS: Only in Africa..... Nobody moved this cone... College  of "Planning" Forgot  something? Lower the drain! Does this look like Asia? A split personality....! Failed again! Perfect  bench placement Nobody moved the dog poo!

Hundreds Protest The Murder Of South African Farmers

https://www.yahoo.com/news/hundreds-protest-murders-south-african-165353612.html

President Mnangagwa Promises A New Era In Zimbabwe!

President Mnangagwa pledges new era in Zimbabwe

 Yahoo News Photo Staff 18 hours ago 

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President Mnangagwa pledges new era in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s new president Emmerson Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia wave to their suppoters as they leave after the swearing in ceremony in Harare, Zimbabwe, Nov. 24, 2017. (Photo: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters)

Zimbabwe’s new President Emmerson Mnangagwa vowed sweeping change at his swearing in on Friday, seeking to reassure foreign investors and pledging to fight poverty and corruption after Robert Mugabe’s shock resignation.

In his inaugural address, Mnangagwa set out a program of dramatic change that promised a stark reversal of many of Mugabe’s signature policies.

He pledged that his government would compensate white farmers whose land was seized by Mugabe, protect international investments in the country, and re-engage with foreign powers.

Elections scheduled for 2018 would go ahead as planned, he said.

“I humbly appeal to all of us that we let bygones be bygones,” he said at the ceremony in the 60,000-seat national stadium in Harare, which was packed to capacity.

“We must work together — you, me, all of us who make this nation.

“I stand here today, to say that our country is ready for a sturdy re-engagement program with all the nations of the world,” he said.

After reciting the oath of office, the 75-year-old leader was given a ceremonial chain and sash of office flanked by his wife Auxilia, receiving salutes and pledges of allegiance from the country’s military and security chiefs.

Mnangagwa also used his speech to pay tribute to Mugabe, describing him as one of the “founding fathers of our nation”. (AFP)

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Four Incredible Cape Town Restaurants

http://www.food24.com/PartnerContent/four-cape-town-restaurants-you-have-to-visit-this-summer-20171117?mvt=i&mvn=759d5d2509ab443aa05a90d765b7fa71&mvp=NA-NEWSCOM-11238449&mvl=Fn-Desktop+300x81+%5BDesktop+-+Card+2+-+300x81+-+Image%5D

SCA increases Oscar Pistorius's murder sentence to 13 years

SCA increases Oscar Pistorius's murder sentence to 13 years: The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein has sentenced former Paralympian Oscar Pistorius to 13 years in prison for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. The SCA delivered its judgment on Friday morning.

Zimbabwe: "See The New Boss Same As The Old Boss."

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/24/world/africa/emmerson-mnangagwa-zimbabwe.html?mabReward=CTM3&recid=0wqSBvSugBJy9amF3oJ5M1igcwy&recp=1&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=Recommendation&src=rechp&WT.nav=RecEngine

Can Zimbabwe Cure Its Hangover From Mugabe?

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/23/opinion/zimbabwe-mugabe-mnangagwa.html?mabReward=CTM3&recid=0wqKTQLBuV4MADYpZ580v65glQc&recp=4&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=Recommendation&WT.nav=RecEngine&src=rechp&_r=0

What is next for Zimbabwe?

What is next for Zimbabwe?: As Zimbabwe enters the post-Mugabe era, Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Martin Zhuwakinyu tells Creamer Media’s Chanel de Bruyn more about Zimbabwe’s new interim President Emmerson Mnangagwa and what changes he may implement to reignite economic growth in the country.

The Murder Sentence of Oskar Pistorious doubled to 13 Years ad Five Mopnths

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/24/africa/oscar-pistorius-murder-sentence-increased/index.html

Zimbabwe: "The Crocodile" Is Sworn In As President

Zimbabwe: New President, Crocodile, Sworn Into Office

Former Zimbabwean Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, better known as the crocodile, took the oath of office Nov. 24 before being sworn in as president during an event at Harare's national stadium, Reuters reported. Mnangagwa, 75, is reported to be taking a reconciliatory stance and said he would uphold the constitution, acknowledging that there had been errors under former president Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule. Mnangagwa will need to balance reforming Zimbabwe's utterly broken economic system with maintaining the necessary patronage network to underpin his rule.

What Really Happened With Robert Mugabe and His Presidency, What Happens Next?

The people wanting to remove Mugabe from power were, as the saying goes, "Stuck between a rock and a hard place."

A two-thirds vote in both houses of parliament was required to do an impeachment. The votes were not there.

The forceful removal of Mugabe by the military would have resulted in troops from South Africa arriving to put Mugabe back in power. This would not be to uphold democracy and the rule of law. Rather it would be a fear on the part of the Zuma administration that the military would then remove him from power.

Mugabe was offered "a deal that he couldn't refuse." He, his family members,and close associates have a pardon for all crimes committed and irrevocable shield against civil and criminal cases in Zimbabwe..

Now do not think that Mugabe is "happily riding off into the sunset." His ill-gotten assets are going to be under attack by governments like the US government and private organizations. Please study what happened in Malaysia with a big corruption scandal. Assets of over $1 billion US were seized. Malaysian players in the scandal found themselves with US arrest warrants.

Mugabe and his band of men and women will not be able to set foot out of Zimbabwe for fear of arrest on international warrants.

Jacob Zuma, take note, you're next!!!!!!!!!!

Nigeria: A Nagging Problem

NIGERIA

A Nagging Problem

Nigerian authorities continue to insist that Islamist militant group Boko Haram is on the brink of defeat, but the country suffered its largest terrorist strike of the year on Tuesday when a suicide bomber killed at least 50 people at a mosque in the northeastern town of Mubi.

No group has yet claimed authority for the attack, which brings the number killed in 2017 to at least 278, Reuters reported. Because a number of people also suffered serious injuries, the death toll could well increase, police said.

Boko Haram was pushed out of power in Adamawa state, where Mubi is located, in early 2015. And while the group still carries out terrorist strikes on mosques and markets, this was the first such attack in Mubi since government forces recaptured the town in in 2014.

In its wake, Aisha Yesufu, BringBackOurGirls, BBOG co-convener, blasted the government via Twitter for claiming the group was defeated.

Fighting to overthrow the government since 2009, Boko Haram has killed more than 20,000 and forced around 2 million people to flee their homes.