Vol 46 No 15 | NAMIBIA Diamond battles 22nd July 2005 The diamond war between Israeli magnate Lev Leviev and South African giant De Beers is heating up again in Namibia, a year after Leviev's LLD Diamonds Namibia subsidiary...
Vol 46 No 15 | ZIMBABWE Mission to China 22nd July 2005 President Robert Mugabe has brought forward his trip to China by a week to 23 July in an attempt to negotiate an economic rescue package. He wants Chinese...
Vol 46 No 14 | MALAWI Deadlock 8th July 2005 Personal rivalries, not political differences, have tied the government in knots The late Rodwell Munyenyembe has been feted as a martyr of democracy since, as parliamentary Speaker, he collapsed on 23 June while trying to calm a row between...
Vol 46 No 14 | ZAMBIA Legal losses 8th July 2005 Constitutional wrangles worsen, the corruption trials falter but the economy picks up The proposed new constitution would reduce presidential powers and entrench fundamental rights and freedoms (AC Vol 46 No 3). President Levy Mwanawasa doesn't like it - even though...
Vol 46 No 13 | SOUTH AFRICA A trial for the ANC 24th June 2005 After his sacking, Jacob Zuma faces criminal charges; his party faces a lengthy political battle The elevation of Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to the deputy presidency on 22 June is an astute if provocative move by President Thabo Mbeki. Mlambo-Ngcuka, 49,...
Vol 46 No 13 | SOUTH AFRICA A province says no 24th June 2005 In Western Cape, the ANC didn't dance to the national leadership's tune National leaders of the governing African National Congress, including President Thabo Mbeki's ally Zola Skweyiya, the Minister for Social Development, publicly supported Ebrahim Rasool for the premiership of...
Vol 46 No 13 | MAURITIUS The brightness is fading 24th June 2005 The election campaign turns vicious as prosperity comes under threat The model Indian Ocean economy is faltering and opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam looks well placed to topple Prime Minister Paul Bérenger at the general elections on 3 July,...
Vol 46 No 12 | SOUTH AFRICA Corruption and conviction 10th June 2005 A 15-year gaol sentence for the Deputy President's advisor tests the government's accountability and its unity Text message jokes were flashing across South Africa this week. 'Jacob Zuma and Schabir Shaik are together in a car. Who's driving?' Answer: 'The Police!' This debunking of...
Vol 46 No 12 | MADAGASCAR Marc and the miners 10th June 2005 Washington and the multinationals give Ravalomanana's team a boost Multinational mining giant Rio Tinto is about to approve a US$500 million dollar investment in the Fort Dauphin region of south-eastern Madagascar. The resulting employment and economic growth...