- Somaliland President Dahir Riyale Kahin announced on Tuesday that the long-awaited parliamentary elections would be held in March 2005. This constitutes the last step in the democratisation process of the still non-recognised country.
In a speech on the 13th anniversary of Somaliland's reclamation of sovereignty on 18 May, President Riyale said that parliamentary elections would complete the country's democratisation process.
Somaliland gained world admiration for holding successful and internationally applauded local council elections and presidential elections despite the lack of international recognition as a sovereign an independent state.
On the killing of a number of foreigners in Somaliland, President Riyale said that the investigations had shown that the aim of such criminal acts was to portray Somaliland as a home of terrorism and to scare off foreign investors against coming to Somaliland.
He urged the people to work with the government to safeguard the country's security and to deny what he called "Somaliland's enemies" the chance to harm the peace and stability of the country.
The Somalilander President further again called upon the African Union and the UN to extend Somaliland its due recognition "according to the charter of the UN," taking account of Somaliland's achievements.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.