Vol 54 No 7 | ZIMBABWE ZANU-PF wins the referendum 29th March 2013 Tsvangirai’s MDC didn’t do enough to prevent the new basic law giving Mugabe’s party the right to decide who succeeds him The real winners of the constitutional referendum were the hardliners of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front. They now have a document that enshrines ZANU-PF's supremacy, whatever happens...
Vol 54 No 7 | MOZAMBIQUE Scramble for Nacala 29th March 2013 Leaders of the Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (Frelimo) are poised to benefit personally from the expected bonanza from the development of Nacala port, Africa Confidential has learned....
Vol 54 No 6 | ZIMBABWE Vote now, pay later 15th March 2013 All parties want the same result in the 16 March referendum but it holds dangers, especially concerning the presidential succession The referendum on 16 March takes place less than a month after the starting gun was fired. No one doubts a favourable result but only the turnout will...
Vol 54 No 6 | MADAGASCAR Secrecy mars ballot deal 15th March 2013 Confusion surrounds when, or even if, elections can be held this year but nobody doubts that the public yearns for an end to the political vacuum Malagasy have been waiting a long time to have their electoral say but on 5 February, the electoral commission postponed the long-awaited presidential election from 8 May to...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 5 | ZAMBIACHINA Collum Coal Mine takeover 7th March 2013 The government finally takes action on the problems besetting the Chinese-owned mine – just after announcing Sata’s first official visit to Beijing After declining previous invitations, on 15 February President Michael Chilufya Sata announced his maiden trip to China would finally take place in April. China has invited the President...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 5 | ZAMBIACHINA Compensation for smelter pollution 7th March 2013 According to a mining industry expert, much has changed since the September 2011 election of President Michael Sata and the Patriotic Front government. ‘Under the MMD [Movement for...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 5 | BOTSWANACHINA Khama talks tough 7th March 2013 Chinese construction companies may lose out on future government contracts after problems at the Morupule B power plant In the last few years, Chinese builders have won contracts for more than 18 government-funded infrastructure projects for roads, stadiums‚ schools‚ hospitals‚ airports and public buildings in Botswana....
Vol 6 (AAC) No 5 | BOTSWANACHINA Murky glass houses 7th March 2013 President Ian Khama has been slow to stamp out shadowy deals between Chinese investors and government institutions, in particular the murky business of the 500 million pula (US$62...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 5 | NAMIBIACHINA Red carpets and yellow cake 7th March 2013 Uranium-rich Namibia is still rolling out the red carpet for Chinese mining and exploration firms. Back in January, it was announced that Zhonghe Resources (Namibia) Development had received...
Vol 6 (AAC) No 5 | SOUTH AFRICAASIA Hostile crowd awaits BRICS summiteers 7th March 2013 Ahead of the fifth BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit in Durban on 26-27 March, South African companies are demanding that the African National Congress...