2010-04-19
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Sudan's elections were marred by poor preparation and other suspected irregularities, the United States, Britain and Norway said on Monday, calling on Sudanese officials to take further steps to fully implement the country's 2005 peace accord.

"We note initial assessments of the electoral process from independent observers, including the judgment that the elections failed to meet international standards," the three countries, guarantors of the 2005 peace deal, said in a statement.

"We are reassured that voting passed reasonably peacefully, reportedly with significant participation, but share their serious concerns about weak logistical and technical preparations and reported irregularities in many parts of Sudan," the statement said.

Early results from the election -- Sudan's first in more than two decades -- suggest President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and his party are heading for a strong win in presidential and parliamentary polls marred by boycotts and accusations of fraud.

Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court to face charges of war crimes in Darfur, scored majorities of up to 90 percent in a sample of results from northern Sudan reported by state media.

European Union and Carter Center observers have said the elections did not meet international standards, but stopped short of echoing opposition charges of vote-rigging.

The polls, set up under a deal that ended two decades of north-south civil war, were supposed to help transform the troubled oil-producing nation into a democracy.

The three western countries noted the limited access of observer missions in Darfur and expressed regret that electoral officials did not do more to prevent and address such problems prior to voting.

"It is essential to build upon the progress made so far to expand democratic space in Sudan," the statement said, adding that Sudanese officials should "draw lessons" to ensure future polls and a referendum due next year on independence for South Sudan do not suffer from the same flaws.

2010-04-19
ANTANANARIVO (Reuters) - Security forces in Madagascar arrested 19 people on Sunday on suspicion of plotting a coup, the latest in a series of plot rumours to hit the Indian Ocean island's capital in the past few weeks.

Lieutenant Colonel Rene Lylison, the head of the security unit that carried out the arrests, told reporters the plan was to attack the prime minister's residence in the early hours of Monday morning.

"It was serious. Some officers had prepared a coup d'etat, to kill Malagasies ... fortunately, we were able to prevent the attempt," he said. "Their goal was to kill, and divide the military."

There is growing disquiet in Madagascar over the rule of President Andry Rajoelina, a former mayor of the capital who seized power with the help of dissident soldiers in March 2009.

The African Union imposed sanctions on Rajoelina and 108 of his backers in March this year for failing to install a unity government with the country's three main opposition groups.

Analysts say some high-level military officials are frustrated at Rajoelina's failure to end the crisis and restore constitutional order.

On April 12, the army gave the president until the end of April to offer an acceptable way out of the political crisis and end the uncertainty that has hit foreign investment and left the economy struggling.

While some analysts said the army ultimatum might be just what is needed to bring the political groups to the negotiating table, there have been rifts within the army ever since dissident troops backed Rajoelina's power-grab.

Divisions within Rajoelina's government have also emerged. In early April, Rajoelina's prime minister sacked Armed Forces Minister General Noel Rakotonandrasana in a show of no confidence. But Rakotonandrasana has refused to leave his post.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the suspected coup plot, although some army officers and a number of civilians were arrested. Lylison said more arrests were likely to follow.

2010-04-19
OHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Uncertainty over South Africa's land reform programme meant to hand over 30 percent of farm land to the country's black majority by 2014 has slowed investment in its sugar sector, an industry official said.

Trix Trikam, executive director of the South African Sugar Association (SASA) said the industry supports the land reform initiative but so far just over half of the land has been transferred to black farmers, hindering investment.

The slow land reform programme in Africa's biggest economy has caused unease in the agricultural sector with white commercial farmers unsure of whether to reinvest in farms under claim by black farmers, he said.

"The finality of the land restitution programme is a necessity because the slow pace has meant that investment, and in particular capital expenditure on farms under claim, is sluggish due to the uncertainty that exists," Trikam told Reuters late on Friday.

After the end of apartheid in 1994, South Africa's government set a target of handing over 30 percent of commercial farmland to blacks by 2014 as part of a plan to correct racial imbalances in land distribution caused by apartheid.

The government said earlier this year it would not meet the 2014 target of transferring commercial farmland to black farmers due to lack of funds to purchase land. So far only about 6 percent of agricultural land has been shifted to blacks since 1994.

The sugar industry set up a similar programme to run concurrently with the national plan and transfer 30 percent of commercial sugarcane farms to black farmers by the 2014 -- a deadline key to eliminating the unease and attract further investment.

Trikam said the sugar industry has so far given black growers 19 percent of its commercial farms.

"Should a further 10 percent of land claims be dealt with by 2014, the target of 30 percent will be met," Trikam said.

In addition to challenges around land reform, high input costs continue to weigh on production in the sugar industry.

Kathy Hurly, director of regional services at the South African Cane Growers Association said access to essential farm inputs like fertiliser, chemicals, as well as farming equipment was not easy for small-scale growers.

"This impacts negatively on cane production as all aspects of farming, rationing, planting and harvesting, are generally performed sub-optimally," Hurly said.

"The small-scale sector is currently operating below potential, yields have dropped sharply and the number of growers in this sector had declined by 20 percent over the past five years."

According to Hurly, about 10 percent of sugarcane in South Africa is produced by small-scale farmers who mainly farm on tribal land rather than commercial farms.

South Africa's 2009/10 sugar output fell to 2.18 million tonnes from 2.26 million tonnes a year earlier on the back of higher input costs, while sugarcane output declined to 18.7 million tonnes from 19.3 million tonnes.

The 2010/11 sugar output was estimated at 2.24 million tonnes in March, and sugarcane crush was forecast at 19.12 million tonnes in the same month.

press tv

Egypt is to open an international front to push Israel into signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty as pressure mounts on Tel Aviv to account for its atomic plans.

Cairo advocates holding a regional conference on an "internationally and effectively verifiable treaty for the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the Middle East," a draft paper addressed to the NPT said Tuesday.

It added that Egypt will invite all Mideast states to the planned meeting.

According to Reuters, three permanent UN Security Council members -- the United States, Britain and France have already announced their willingness to support such a summit, although not with a negotiating mandate.

The heat may also be turned up on Tel Aviv next month, when the 189 NPT signatories will gather for a review on May 3 at the UN headquarters in New York.

The appeal follows a resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which in September 2009, urged Israel to open its entire nuclear program to the watchdog and join the NPT.

At the time, the decision was fiercely opposed by the US and its Western allies and Israel announced that it would not cooperate with the resolution.

Since 1958, when it began building its Dimona plutonium and uranium processing facility, Israel has reportedly manufactured over 200 nuclear warheads, earning the reputation of being the sole owner of atomic weapons in the Middle East.

Former US president Jimmy Carter, aerial footage and decades of recurrent reporting have attested to the existence of the armaments.

The IAEA resolution had likewise warned of 'Israeli nuclear capabilities.'

press tv

A new wave of violence has hit different parts of the war-torn Somalia, killing 17 people and injuring several others.

In the restive capital of Mogadishu, fierce shelling and gun battles erupted late Monday in the northern neighborhoods of Yaqshid, Hawlwadag, Hodon and Hiliwa, claiming the lives of at least 7 people, mostly civilians, a Press TV correspondent reported, citing eyewitness accounts.

The shelling, according to government reports, were in response to mortar attacks by al-Shabab fighters on a military base in the capital's southern area that houses government troops and African Union peacekeeping forces.

Another fierce clash erupted Monday between al-Shabab fighters and pro-government Ahlul-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa forces in a village in central Somali region of Galgadud has killed more than 10 people and injured scores of others, including civilians.

press tv

Deadly clashes have resumed in Somalia with at least 30 killed so far, as warring groups prepare for more violence in the conflict-torn nation.

In the past 48 hours, the lawless capital of Mogadishu has been the scene of bloody street battles between local fighters and pro-government forces.

Heavy explosions and artillery fire exchanges have continued for two consecutive nights, leaving 30 civilians dead and 90 others injured.

However, the death toll is expected to rise as residents continue to collect bodies from alleys, Press TV correspondent reported on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the heavily armed pro-government Ahlu-Sunnah group has vowed to launch more attacks against Somalia's most prominent anti-government group al-Shabab and Hizbul-Islam.

This new threat has forced hundreds of families to flee their homes, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Somalia has been marred by two decades of civil strife following the ousting of former dictator, Mohammad Siad Bare in 1991.

Years of fighting between rival warlords and the inability to deal with famine and disease have led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.

aljazeera

Egypt has insisted on its traditional share of the Nile river water and cautioned basin countries against signing a water-sharing agreement from which it is excluded.

The warning came days after Nile basin countries meeting in Egypt failed to agree on a framework to reallocate shares from the river, a longstanding demand by several upstream countries.

Mohammed Allam, minister of water resources and irrigation, told parliament: "Egypt reserves the right to take whatever course it sees suitable to safeguard its share. If the Nile basin countries unilaterally signed the agreement, it would be considered a death announcement of the Nile Basin Initiative.

Egypt's share of the Nile's water is a historic right that Egypt has defended throughout its history."

The Nile Basin Initiative, a World Bank-funded umbrella group of Nile basin countries, has put off signing a water-sharing pact due to objections from Egypt and Sudan.

At the heart of the dispute is a 1929 agreement between Egypt and Britain, acting on behalf of its African colonies along the 5,584km river, which gave Egypt veto power over upstream projects.

An agreement between Egypt and Sudan in 1959 allowed Egypt 55.5 billion cubic metres of water each year - 87 per cent of the Nile's flow - and Sudan 18.5 billion cubic metres.

Some of the Nile Basin countries, which include Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo, say past treaties are unfair.

They want what they call an equitable water-sharing agreement that would allow for more irrigation and power projects.

Egypt, a mostly arid country that relies on the Nile for the bulk of its water needs, argues that upstream countries could make better use of rainfall and have other sources of water.

engineeringnews

The Metolong Authority plans to start construction of Lesotho's new Metolong dam and raw water pumping station in early 2011, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The authority is currently busy with a prequalification process of contractors for the construction contracts of the new dam and pumping station and would invite bids in July.

The project entails the construction of a 73 m-high roller compacted concrete dam with a 210 m crest length and 53 m3 reservoir capacity on the south of Phuthiatsana river, about 35-km from Maseru, and a multi-stage raw water intake and pump station.

The Metolong Authority communications manager Matšeliso Makoele told Engineering News Online that the Metolong programme was part of Lesotho Government's efforts to secure long-term reliable water supply in the country.

The programme is divided into five components including: advance infrastructure planning, the construction of the Metolong dam and raw water pumping station, water treatment works, the construction of a downstream conveyance system, and environmental and social management.

Makoele noted that the Metolong programme would provide 75 000 m3/d of additional treated water to enable Maseru and the neighbouring towns to meet domestic and industrial requirement in the medium-term.

"Lesotho's lowland areas suffer severe water shortages owing to rising industrial demand, rapid urbanisation and periodic droughts especially in winter when flows are inadequate to meet the demand," she said.

The Metolong dam and water supply programme formed part of the larger Lesotho Lowlands Water Scheme (LLWS), which was established within Lesotho's Ministry of Natural Resources to address water shortages in Maseru and all lowland districts.

Makoele pointed out that the programme would also support socio-economic development for the fast-growing urban areas.

Reliable water supply would lead to continued development of the manufacturing and textile industries, leading to job creation, food production.

Further, small, micro and medium-sized enterprises also stood to benefit. "During infrastructure development, jobs will be created around the project areas, therefore enhancing livelihoods," said Makoele.

The Metolong programme is implemented by the Metolong Authority and financed by the Lesotho government and other development partners, including the South African government, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and a consortium of Arab donors, comprising the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Opec Fund for International Development, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, and the Saudi Fund for Development.

The programme is expected to be completed in 2013.

UNITED NATIONS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- African countries have seen progress in cutting malaria, but major efforts are still needed to reach global targets, particularly with the investment in malaria control, warns a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report launched Monday on the progress seen in the deadly disease.

Ahead of World Malaria Day, which is April 25, UNICEF released a joint report with the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, which charts the progress in "counting malaria out" in the report titled, The World Malaria Day 2010: Africa update.

As the 2010 deadline approaches for the UN secretary-general's call to meet universal coverage for anti-malarial intervention, in addition to the UN sponsored "decade to roll back malaria" in sight, the report points out that increased, sustained investment is crucial in achieving this goal.

The report highlighted that out of the nearly 350 million insecticides treated nets for universal coverage, nearly 200 million have been received in African countries between 2007 and 2009.

It noted that countries have adopted more effective treatment strategies in malaria control -- but with a pricey cost in treatment.

Approximately with one-third of the global investment that is needed, country-specific programs are able to save a child's life every three minutes, according to RBM Partnership.

"But more remains to be done as children and pregnant women are still dying of this preventable and treatable disease, especially in Africa," said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman in a UNICEF and RBM press release Monday.

The proportion of African children receiving the Artemisinin- based combination therapy (ATC) treatment remains "low" according to the report with the data on the use of diagnostics largely unavailable.

The report also notes that with the total annual global funding reaching 2 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2009, malaria funding still is short of the estimated 6 billion U.S. dollars that is annually required by the Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP) to guarantee universal coverage of malaria control interventions.

The report is a second in a series of RBM Progress & Impact report which highlights malaria progress in Africa.

Founded by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), RBM Partnership is a global framework for coordinated action against malaria that promotes high-level political commitment.

afrol News, 19 April

Japan's automaker, Mitsubishi Motors Corp has confirmed it will contest a lawsuit laid by an Egyptian sales company Masria Co for breach of contract.

The Egyptian company has filed the lawsuit in a local court claiming that a termination notice on its contract was not sufficient and is trying to get an extension or up to US$ 900 million in damages.

However, Mitsubishi contests that it gave a notice of termination six months before the expiry of the contract, which it believes was sufficient enough. The company has further denied accusations that its reducing the company's profit estimates had nothing to do with the lawsuit.

The automaker has announced a reduced annual operating profit citing a drop in vehicle sales as well as failure on its part to meet the planned cost reductions. The company also mentioned the economic downturn as well as the weakening Japanese yen against other currencies for its losses.

20100419
press tv

In Nigeria's latest kidnapping incident, unidentified gunmen have reportedly abducted two German workers in the country's oil-producing southeast region.

The men, aged 45 and 55, were taken on Sunday from a local beach in Abia State, a security source told AFP.

According to the report, one of the men worked in the oil hub of Port Harcourt, while the other came from Lagos.

The German foreign ministry said it was looking into the incident.

This is the second major kidnapping of foreign workers in southern Nigeria during the past 10 days.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the ambush.

Kidnappings are commonplace in southern Nigeria's oil region.

In the past three years alone, hundreds of people, mostly foreign workers, businessmen and local politicians, have been snatched in the restive region.

The victims are usually released unharmed a few days later.

The gunmen say they are fighting for a larger share of profits from crude oil extractions in Africa's largest oil producer.

afrol News, 19 April

Madagascar's current leader Andry Rajoelina today claims toppled President Marc Ravalomanana organised a coup plot this weekend. 18 persons were arrested on Sunday, allegedly plotting to overthrow Mr Rajoelina. Mr Ravalomanana denies any involvement.

The Malagasy leader, who himself came to power in a March 2009 coup against Mr Ravalomanana, today announced that the island nation's Special Intervention Force had arrested 18 persons suspected of plotting a coup.

The defence spokesman of Mr Rajoelina's administration, Alain Ramaroson, said that two of the detained persons had confessed that ex-President Ravalomanana "had paid" them to attack the Prime Minister's residence. "It is Mr Ravalomanana that is the sponsor of the coup," Mr Ramaroson claimed...

NAIROBI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- On World Malaria Day 2010, the UN says Africa is charting progress in counting malaria out, but major efforts still needed to reach global targets.

With the end of the "Decade to Roll Back Malaria" in sight, 2010 is a milestone year for malaria control.

There are now just over 257 days left to meet the challenge of the UN Secretary General to ensure universal coverage with all anti-malarial interventions.

The World Malaria Day 2010: Africa Update which was launched on Monday by UNICEF and the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership on malaria progress in Africa reveals that some countries have already begun to "count malaria out," while others continue concerted efforts to reach the 2010 coverage targets and reduce malaria deaths by half.

The second in a series of RBM Progress & Impact reports, the update highlights that progress in Africa is on an upward and accelerated trajectory -- with the period from 2004 to 2009 showing a 10-fold increase in global malaria funding from external sources to nearly 1.8 billion US dollars in 2009, a five-fold increase in global production of insecticide-treated nets to 150 million, and over a 30-fold increase in ACT procurement to 160 million.

There is growing evidence that this increase in coverage is leading to substantial reductions in malaria burden in a number of countries in Africa. "Investment in malaria control is saving lives and reaping far- reaching benefits for countries. But without sustained and predictable funding, the significant contribution of malaria control towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals could be reversed." said Dr. Coll Seck, Executive Director, RBM Partnership.

The Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership is the global framework for coordinated action against malaria. It provides a neutral platform for consensus-building and developing solutions to challenges in the implementation of malaria control interventions and strategies.

RBM is a public-private partnership that also facilitates the incubation of new ideas and lends support to innovative approaches. "Today, with approximately one third of the global investment needed, country programmes are saving a child's life every three minutes. This is very positive. We cannot afford to relax our efforts," says Seck.

Data presented in the report confirms that of the nearly 350 million insecticides treated nets needed to achieve universal coverage, nearly 200 million were received in African countries between 2007 and 2009, and countries have adopted more effective, but also more expensive, treatment strategies.

However, the proportion of African children receiving an ACT is still very low and data on the use of diagnostics is still largely unavailable. "With strong collaboration, great progress has been made in the battle against malaria," said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. "But more remains to be done as children and pregnant women are still dying of this preventable and treatable disease, especially in Africa. "Two thirds of all malaria control financing is generated by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, with the US Presidents Malaria Initiative (PMI), the World Bank and other bilateral donors making up the balance of external funding.

Most of this funding is directed at Africa, where 90 percent of global malaria deaths occur.

The report highlights that while total annual global funding reached approximately 2 billion dollars by the end of 2009 malaria funding still falls short of the estimated 6 billion dollars required annually by the Global Malaria Action Plan (GMAP) to ensure universal coverage of malaria control interventions.

Many countries are implementing large-scale efforts to further increase access to malaria interventions by the end of the year. Nigeria plans to distribute 60 million nets by the end of 2010 and Tanzania is piloting an innovative public-private initiative to eliminate anti-malarial stock-outs.

Progress made in malaria prevention and control is fragile and donors will make crucial decision as to whether the health-related MDGs can be met at the MDG Summit in New York in September 2010.

The Partnership promotes high-level political commitment and keeps malaria high on the global agenda by enabling, harmonizing and amplifying partner-driven advocacy initiatives.

20100419
press tv

Sudanese President Umar Hassan al-Bashir has secured huge victories in the country's landmark multi-party general elections, media reports say.

The state-owned Suna news agency announced on Sunday that the incumbent president has won between 70 and 92 percent of votes cast in the April 11 ballots for presidency.

Sudan's election authorities have also said that all of 17 state assembly seats from north Sudan have gone to Bashir's National Congress Party.

The figures have not yet been confirmed by the country's National Elections Commission, which is to announce final results on April 20.

Sudanese opposition parties have meanwhile accused Bashir of widespread fraud, threatening to reject the official vote outcome.

The decision to snub the results has stoked up tensions in the restive African nation, which is already facing a fierce militancy in the south.

Some Western foreign observers have also questioned last week's elections, stating that it did not match international standards.

However, Arab League and African Union watchdogs in the country have said polls were free and fair.

CAIRO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohammed Nassr Eddin Allam said on Monday his country is not going to sign any agreement that violates its rights to the River Nile water, state-run MENA news agency reported.

Addressing the Egyptian Parliament, Allam said Cairo will not sign the Cooperative Framework Agreement of the Nile Basin Countries unless there is a clear article that guarantees its current "water rights and usage."

The Egyptian minister added that the draft agreement in its current form without reaching a compromise over the main points of disagreement does not serve the interests of his country.

If the upstream countries signed the agreement unilaterally, " it (the agreement) will not be binding to Egypt and will not have a legal impact to its right in water," the Egyptian minister said, warning that Cairo preserves its right to taking whatever measures that protect its interest.

However, the minister did not mention what kind of measures that his country intends to adopt in case upstream countries insisted on their stance.

Egypt insists that any future agreement should leave its share of Nile water intact based on a treaty it reached with Sudan in 1959 by which 55.5 billion cubic meters of water are allocated to Egypt per year.

Cairo also insists that any possible deal must include an " early notification" mechanism to provide all the ten Nile Basin countries with enough time to study the effects of any proposed project on the river and that decision making on any given project be based on majority voting.

The Nile Basin water resources ministers failed on April 13 to reach a consensus over a cooperative framework on the allocation of Nile water resources among 10 basin countries.

Upstream countries asserted that they will press ahead with the Cooperative Framework Agreement on the Nile Basin Initiative on May 14, regardless of the differences among member countries.

20100419
press tv

Remonstrations from aboard add to the strain on the credibility of Sudan's first multiparty elections in 24 years, amid expected delays in the results of the vote.

In a joint statement released on Monday, the United States, Britain and Norway criticized Khartoum for ill preparation for the landmark elections and urged the National Election Commission (NEC) to firmly and fairly resolve disputes.

"We strongly encourage the NEC to address in good faith any legitimate disputes effectively and impartially," the US State Department said in a statement on behalf of the three countries.

“We are reassured that voting passed reasonably peacefully, reportedly with significant participation, but share their serious concerns about weak logistical and technical preparations and reported irregularities in many parts of Sudan,” the statement added.

Earlier, the NEC announced that it would most likely not be able to finish counting ballots and that the result of the elections, expected on Tuesday, would be delayed.

"We cannot set a definite date to announce the results because (the counting) is a very complicated process…We had hoped to reveal the final results by April 21, but we are not in a position to do that," head the NEC technical committee Hadi Mohammed Ahmed told AFP.

The 16 million eligible Sudanese, who had registered for voting in the largest African country, had five days to elect their president as well as parliamentary and local representatives.

With major opposition boycotts, the elections are likely to extend the rule of long-time leader, President Umar al-Bashir.

Polling errors, names missing from electoral rolls and ballot mix-ups were more pronounced in the south of the country, a restive region poised to vote for independence in 2011.

ALGIERS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The 10th session of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), a gas equivalent of OPEC oil cartel, kicked off Monday in the western Algerian city of Oran, with the main focus on agreeing to a fair price for gas supplies, compared to that of oil.

Algerian Minister of Energy and Mining Chakib Khelil told a press conference on Monday that his country wants the gas price indexed to that of oil.

"Now, gas unit price is set at 13 U.S. dollars per mBtu, i.e. a sixth of current oil prices, whereas it is a clear energy source that is less polluting and offers considerable comparative advantages for the development of renewable energy sources," he was quoted by state-run APS news agency as saying.

In late March, Algeria proposed that GECF countries reduce gas exports to restore balance in the global gas market.

In his keynote address to the meeting Monday, Khelil said global gas demand forecasts are "a cause for concern."

"The global gas demand in 2013 will be the same as in 2008," Khelil was quoted by APS as saying.

Gas demand dropped significantly in 2008 and 2009, and the forecasts for the next five years are far from favorite, the minister added, calling upon producing countries to remain " vigilant" as the demand will remain "uncertain."

He also called on GECF member states to have a better cooperation in the planning of new investments in the gas sector.

"In a context marked by uncertainty, a new model of cooperation founded on a fair approach should be envisaged," Khelil told the ministers and representatives of the 11 GECF member states.

The GECF is made up of Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Its two observers Kazakhstan and Norway also attended the meeting.

afrol News, 19 April - The East African Community (EAC) at a Bujumbura meeting of the region's security ministers has reached the conclusion that peace and security issues must form a natural part of the economic and customs union. The ministers witnessed a public destruction of illicit arms in Burundi.

Beatrice Kiraso is the Deputy Secretary General of the EAC in charge of "political federation", and coordinated the meeting in the Burundian capital. Her agenda was to put peace and security issues higher on the East African union's agenda, pleading for regional cooperation to consolidate peace and stability to secure economic integration.

Ms Kiraso said that the region's stability must remain intact as the integration process continues to deepen. "Instability in one country means instability for others. We should not allow this as it will undermine our integration efforts,'' she stressed when addressing the Inter-State Security Ministerial Council Meeting in Bujumbura.

She emphasised that peace and security issues were an integral part of the two pillars of the integration process that had been "successfully negotiated and concluded" - the two pillars being the East African customs union and common market.

The EAC meeting noted the need for the inter-state security sector to take interest in the negotiations on the third phase of integration - East Africa's planned monetary union - and to include a "mechanism for combating counterfeits, money laundering, cyber-crime, piracy and smuggling of goods which denies the region the much needed revenue."

Ms Kiraso saluted Burundi for moving on the right course after years of conflict and destruction. "Burundi is on the right path to recovery,'' she told the delegates amid applause. Burundi is expected to hold its general elections starting 21 May. Rwanda and Tanzania will hold elections in August and October respectively.

At the conclusion of the Bujumbura meeting, the EAC carried out a public destruction of illicit arms; an event to mark the African Union (AU) Year of Peace. The destruction exercise was presided over by the Vice-President of Burundi, Yves Sahinguvu.

More than 10,000 weapons have been destroyed in the five EAC partner states over the last years through the Community's programme on small arms and light weapons, which is said to be "a continuous process."

ANTANANARIVO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Madagascar's gendarmerie chief on Monday denied the allegations that members of the force involved in the recent coup attempt.

General Viennot Zafera, head of the Intervention Force of the National Gendarmerie (FIGN), made the denial after the authorities arrested 20 suspects on Sunday on suspicion of planning an attack on Prime Minister Camille Vital.

Zafera told a press conference held in Antananarivo, the capital of the Indian Ocean island country, that the FIGN has never resorted to a coup and will never do so.

Rumors were spreading in Antananarivo that colonel Raymond Randrianjafy of the FIGN was behind the aborted attack on the prime minister.

In his defense, Zafera said this superior officer had been out with his family when the suspects were preparing the raid.

Colonel Rene Lilison, who heads the force of special intervention of the presidency, said the arrestees include military officers, ex-military servicemen, reservists and civilians.

Army chief Andre Ndriarijaona said the armed forces were still united, adding the suspects had recruited ex-military personnel, reservists and soldiers for peaceful purposes, proving that they had no control of the armed forces in service, who remain united.

The president of the security commission of the Highest Transitional Authority (HAT), Alain Ramaroson, disclosed that the coup attempt was foiled thanks to the information provided by police.

"Without the information they provided, this coup d'état could have been realized," Ramaroson declared.

The military reportedly developed signs of division since Vital dismissed former minister of armed forces Noel Rakotonandrasana On April 7.

Vital said Rakotonandrasana had held suspicious meetings with senior officers without informing him, accusing him of causing confusion in the military ranks.

HAT President Andry Rajoelina made no comments on Ravalomanana's dismissal, but soon promoted colonel Vital to the rank of brigadier general, indicating the logic that colonel Vital could not overpower general Rakotonandrasana over the control of military officers, without the necessary promotion.

But Rakotonandrasana insists that he will still hold his post unless the prime minister himself comes to him so that he could hand over power. He says he will accept the dismissal if all the military officers want him to leave.

Rakotonandrasana was the main actor in the process of power transfer to Rajoelina, who ousted former president Marc Ravalomanana with the backing of the military in March 2009. The change is widely seen as unconstitutional.

Last month, the African Union imposed sanctions on Rajoelina and 108 other officials for failing to form a new government with the three camps respectively led by former presidents Ravalomanana, Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy.

The four parties reached agreements in Maputo and Addis Ababa last year on power sharing, but failed to carry them out amid differences.

On Wednesday, Rajoelina admitted that France, South Africa and the Southern African Development Community had proposed a new roadmap to end the crisis after last year's international mediation failed.

He said he had accepted the offer and would meet Ravalomanana on April 24 in Johannesburg, South Africa, to discuss the signing of a new agreement. He also promised that the other two camps would share the future government if the planned talks turn out a success.

afrol News, 19 April - Kenyan opposition leader Micah Kigen says that Kenyans should be given space to carefully read and understand the draft constitution and make their own decisions after civic education on the crucial issue, instead of being influenced by leaders to chart a particular course.

Addressing the press, Mr Kigen asked Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Agriculture Minister William Ruto not to drive the local citizenry on a euphoric atmosphere similar to the one that swept the country in 2005.

"President Kibaki and Raila are ambushing Kenyans by asking them to vote for the draft instead of allowing them to make a decision after receiving civic education. The interim Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) has given Kenyans 60 days to study the draft before the referendum vote," stated Mr Kigen.

He added: "What these leaders are doing is utterly wrong! Already, they have hit the campaign trail by influencing Kenyans to say 'Yes' to the draft. [Minister] Ruto too, is influencing people to say 'No' to the draft. Let the people decide what stand to adopt from an informed position after carefully reading and understanding the draft, and after civic education," the opposition leader urged.

Mr Kigen also urged the church to avoid getting dragged into unnecessary hullabaloo over the nagging draft question but instead pray for the country and for the leaders, without insisting that it will influence its flock to vote against the proposed constitution at the referendum, owing to the clauses on abortion and the Kadhi courts.

Kenyans, Mr Kigen stressed, were not gullible but were "sober enough" to make their own decisions as long as they were allowed to carefully read and understand the draft constitution.

"The role of the church is to pray for the country and to offer spiritual nourishment to mankind. Who will take the men of the cloth seriously if they come out wildly in confrontation, and with barrels blazing, the way our politicians are doing?" posed a concerned Mr Kigen.

At the same time, he called on President Kibaki and PM Raila not to use state machinery and resources in their "current task of influencing Kenyans to vote for the draft." The adoption of a new constitution was not a matter to "joke with" since the set of laws was for the benefit of all Kenyans as well as posterity, Mr Kigen emphasised.

He also urged the government to print enough copies of the draft so that they could be easy of access to all Kenyans. Mr Kigen also contended that the government should be encouraging people to plant their farms "with the same vigour it was urging them to vote for the draft since the country was in a planting season."

Distraction from planting, Mr Kigen warned, did not augur well for Kenya since agriculture was the backbone of the country's economy.