January 2012

Coal Versus Communities - Exposing Poor Practices by Vale and Rio Tinto

[OSISA] On January 10th, the activities of two of the world's largest mining companies - Brazil's Vale and Anglo-Australian multinational Rio Tinto - hit the headlines in Mozambique for all the wrong reasons.

'Climate-Smart Agriculture' in Fashion

[Namibian] WHILE many people are aware that agriculture is highly susceptible to the effects of climate change, few know that agricultural practices contribute about 14 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Storms' Death Toll Rises to 40

[IRIN] Johannesburg - About 40 people have died and more than 100,000 are affected by twin storms that struck Mozambique 18-26 January, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Trade Barriers Imperil Food Security

[AlertNet] Namiranga - The heaps of groundnuts, rapoko, millet and maize displayed for sale by the side of the Rovuma River in Namiranga are evidence of the fertility of Africa's soil.

Savannah Afros Ready for Maputo Test

[The Herald] Joshua Kuchekana-Chirau, the director and vocalist of the group, revealed that preparations for the regional competition set for Maputo are at an advanced stage.

New African Union Headquarters Inaugurated

[AIM] Addis Ababa - Heads of state and government from across the continent, including Mozambican President Armando Guebuza, on Saturday witnessed the inauguration of the new headquarters of the African Union, a gleaming conference and office complex that towers over central Addis Ababa.

'The African Renaissance Is Beginning' - Zenawi

[AIM] Addis Ababa - "The African Renaissance that we all dreamed of is beginning to happen", claimed Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Saturday, at the inauguration of the new African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.

SADC Meets to Dispel Election Rumour

[AIM] Addis Ababa - Member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held an emergency meeting in Addis Ababa on Sunday morning, immediately before the opening of the African Union (AU) summit, to dispel rumours that SADC candidate Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was withdrawing from the election for chairperson of the AU Commission.

Mozambique Calls for Removal of Protectionism

[AIM] Addis Ababa - Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Sunday called for the removal of "excessively protectionist" practices and policies that hinder trade between African countries.

Continent At 'Make-It or Break-It Moment' Over Aids

[AIM] Addis Ababa - Africa is now at "a make-it or break-it moment" in the response to the HIV-AIDS epidemic, according to Michael Sidibe, the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).