News from Africa

AFRICA NEWS
1. African scholars see benefits in China-Africa relations
NAIROBI, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- African scholars on Thursday criticized sentiments often expressed by the Western countries that China is out to exploit Africa.
During a meeting of African and Chinese scholars in Nairobi, the scholars cited progress made by the continent in last decade that deepened relations with China, saying it is an indication of win-win relations.
A cross-section of scholars interviewed by Xinhua in Nairobi said the West is disrespecting the ability of Africa to make a choice on whom to relate to saying that with the current high level of awareness in the continent, there would have been protests from Africans against relations with China.
"Instead, what we are seeing from the preliminary studies done is that there is an increase in people to people relations and cultural exchange by the two partners," said Dr Lloyd Adu Amoah, a lecturer at the Ashesi University College in Ghana.
The scholars however agreed that there is a need to increase cultural interaction among Africans and the Chinese so that existing prejudices can be addressed through cultural understanding.(Xinhua)

2. Negotiation Failure between Madagascar's political rivals not to prevent election : Transition President
ANTANANARIVO, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) --The failure of the negotiations done in Seychelles between the president of the transition Andry Rajoelina and his predecessor Marc Ravalomanana does not prevent the holding of election, Rajoelina said on Friday after he arrived at the Ivato airport in capital Antananarivo.
Rajoelina said that he proposed some solutions to the Southern African Development country (SADC) without detailing what are these solutions.
He added that SADC officials will arrive in Madagascar on Friday to consult signatories of the roadmap aimed at resolving the political crisis in Madagascar, on the failure of the meeting between him and his political rival, former President Marc Ravalomanana. (Xinhua)

3. Zambia's FM says killing of Chinese won't affect bilateral relations
LUSAKA, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs has dispelled reports that the killing of a Chinese national at a coal mine in southern Zambia's Sinazongwe district will affect the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Given Lubinda said during a press briefing at his office Thursday that the incident should be seen purely as a case of employer/employee misunderstanding and should not affect the strong bilateral relations that exist between the two countries.
Last Saturday, workers at Collum Coal Mine rioted over wage disputes, resulting in the killing of one Chinese worker and injuring of four others.
"The government of Zambia is concerned that there is an impression being created that this unfortunate incident has a bearing on the relations between Zambia and China. I would like to dispel any notion that the relations between Zambia and China have been negatively affected," he said.
He assured that his government will maintain the long-standing relations with China, which he said, has resulted in increased Chinese investments in the country and enhanced economic and social cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels.
The Zambian minister said he held discussions with Chinese ambassador to Zambia who assured that the incident will not affect the relations between the two countries.
"The growing level of Chinese investments in Zambia is indicative of the stable and conducive environment that continues to prevail in the country," he added.
Some section of society in the southern African nation have warned that the killing of the Chinese national will have a negative bearing on the relations between the two countries.
The two countries established diplomatic ties 48 years ago and have since enjoyed close economic and trade relations. Chinese investment in Zambia has brought great benefits to both countries.
Figures showed that China is Zambia's fourth largest trade partner with a bilateral trade volume amounting to 2.85 billion dollars in 2010. On the other hand, Chinese firms have invested a total of 2 billion dollars in Zambia and set up nearly 300 enterprises, according to the Chinese Embassy in Zambia.(Xinhua)

4. Mozambican poachers killed in South African Kruger National Park
MAPUTO, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Mozambican poachers have been killed in the South African Kruger National Park, according to Radio Mozambique on Thursday.
The radio reported that the criminals were gunned down between November last year for killing rhinos in the park.
It said the poachers' main aim is to remove the rhinos' horns for business.
Radio Mozambique describes the scenario in the park as a "total war," between the park authorities and the Mozambican poachers.
"There are dozens of Mozambicans dead since November last year to July this year inside the park," the radio quoted the Mozambican agriculture ministry as saying.
According to the national broadcaster, the park authorities have apprehended several weapons, including Mauser 375, used by the poachers.
It reported that more than a thousand rhinos were killed by poachers, including Mozambican poachers in the past 10 years in the Kruger National Park.
It said among the Mozambican poachers include police officers, border guards and people involved in car thefts in South Africa.
The Mozambican Massingir attorney general office is dealing with various crime processes, involving border guars and civilians.(Xinhua)

5. Botswana residents go to court over village name
GABORONE, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Residents at a village in east Botswana will go to court again fighting on a marathon case over the naming of their village.
According to the official DailyNews on Thursday, the Lesenepole and Matolwane communities failed again to agree on a suitable name for their village in a recent kgotla meeting (traditional meeting for the tribe affairs), and they will take up this matter with the court once again.
Lesenepole representative said at the meeting that it was high time the two sides voted for a suitable name, arguing that in a democracy majority rules.
Nonetheless, Matolwane representative said that voting would not make peace between the two sides except for making the village that wins majority votes to oppress the minority. It will also divide the two communities and create a conflict, he said.
The feud over village name began over 10 years ago when the government decided to merge several communities in the area, including Lesenepole and Matolwane communities, into one village under the name of Matolwane, in order to offer better government services.(Xinhua)

6. Nigerian president holds closed-door meet with Hillary
ABUJA, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday held a closed-door meeting with the visiting U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton in Abuja.
Clinton arrived the Presidential Villa at 3: 57 p.m. local time and also met Nigeria's Foreign Minister Olugbenga Ashiru.
Clinton, who was accompanied by officials of the U. S. Embassy in Nigeria and some diplomats, also had another meeting with security chiefs. They include National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and the Inspector General of Police, Muhammad Abubakar.
Security issues in Nigeria and other African countries were discussed during the more than two and half hours meeting between Clinton and the security chiefs. (Xinhua)