- The top United Nations envoy to Somalia has today congratulated officials in the self-declared autonomous region of Somaliland for striking an agreement to end a stalemate on delayed presidential elections.
Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, hailed the parties for taking a “courageous step towards a peaceful and successful outcome to the impasse that had characterised their political life of late.”
The Memorandum of Understanding signed by officials, he said, is a “step in the right direction” which should result in a free and fair plebiscite in the Horn of Africa nation.
The agreement is a “testament to the Somalilanders’ tradition of resolving internal conflict peacefully as well as a credit to the public officials who understand their role as civil servants,” Mr Ould-Abdallah noted.
It should also encourage all Somalis to achieve peace through dialogue, compromise and tolerance, he stressed.
“Violence will never achieve what peaceful dialogue can,” he said.
Somaliland's political crisis began in May 2008 when President Dahir Riyale's five-year term in office was extended by an additional year by the upper house of parliament, the House of Guurti. Opposition parties condemned the extension calling it unconstitutional.
A year later, President Riyale received a second term extension after the House of Guurti allowed him to remain in office until the presidential elections slated for the end 2009 are held.
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.
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