People, Places and Events
OAU
Morocco withdraws, Zaire suspends membership
Morocco has left the OAU following the admission as a member of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic. Zaire has suspended its participation in OAU activities in support of Morocco.The head of the Moroccon delegation and adviser to King Hassan II, Ahmed Reda Guedira, read out to the OAU summit King Hassan's speech in which he had announced the decision to withdraw from the OAU. In an interview with the Pan-African agency Zaire's Foreign Minister, Umba Di Lutete, also said that only independent and sovereign African states could be members of the OAU. If the SADR's admission was not based on a revised OAU Charter granting membership to liberation movements, Zaire would suspend its membership.
Mr Lutete said that the OAU Charter stipulates that only independent and sovereign African states can be members of the Organisation. It is because of this provision that "despite the importance of the liberation struggle and the sympathy and support African countries have accorded it", no liberation movement has gained admission to the OAU as long its struggle has not culminated in the substitution of a colonial regime with that of an "African Government capable of defending its territory and endowed with the necessary public services.”
The Zairean Minister, who was leading his country's delegation to the 20th summit of the pan-African Organisation, cited in support of his statement the cases of Angola and Mozambique, whose liberation movements were recognised by the OAU before the independence of these countries.
"It is obvious that if the OAU had been created before July 1962 it would not have admitted Algeria as a full member despite the glorious nature of the revolution led by the National Liberation Front (FLN), the Foreign Minister continued. "If the admission of the SADR is not based on a revised OAU Charter that grants membership to liberation movements, Zaire would suspend temporarily its participation in the activities of the OAU", he added.
"We are not saying that the SADR can never participate in the activities of the OAU. We believe that the present provisions of the Charter do not allow us to endorse such a measure," said the Zairean Foreign Minister, who wondered why the OAU did not recognise as full member Namibia. "The Namibian struggle is unanimously supported by the member states of the Organisation, but the political movement, SWAPO, has never been contested by any of them," Mr Lutete pointed out.
Delegation distributes memoranda
The Moroccan delegation in Addis Ababa distributed among the participants of the 20th summit conference of the Organisa- tion of African Unity and to journalists covering the work of the conference two memoranda from the Ministry of the Interior concerning the Sahara issue.The first memorandum contains the speech of HM King Hassan II at the 30th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 1983 and the Moroccan memorandum about the Sahara, dated October 25, 1983, and also the representations of the representatives of the inhabitants of the Moroccan Sahara to the Fourth Committee of the UN at the 38th session of the UNGA during November 1983.
The memorandum also contains the recommendations of the UNGA regarding the Moroccan Sahara, dated November 3, and recommendation 103/8 of the Organisation of African Unity concerning the Sahara in November 1981. As for the second memorandum it contains the statements of the inhabitants of the Moroccan Sahara to the Fourth Committee of the UN.
Nigeria's crucial recognition
Nigeria's recognition of the Saharan Democratic Arab Republic, SADR, made a tremendous impact on the 20th summit of the OAU. A Radio Nigeria correspondent covering the summit, said that most of the participating countries expressed their support for the participation of the SADR following Nigeria's announcement of recognition of the SADR.Egypt regrets Moroccan withdrawal
Egypts reacted to Morocco's pull-out from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) when its Foreign Minister, Dr Ismat Abdel Majid said the Egyptian delegation did not wish that the matter ends by Morocco's pull-out. He said: "We consider this regrettable, especially as Morocco is a founder of the OAU." He said that Morocco had its "distinguished African stances" and that the Egyptian delegation understood the justifications given by Morocco and Zaire for adopting this stance.The Egyptian Foreign Minister added: "We hope that it is a temporary stance and that all members of the OAU work for closing ranks and for the solidarity of all member states so that the organisation continues to carry its task particularly at this stage in which our African continent confronts too complicated political and economic difficulties." Asked to comment on the seating of the Sahara in the OAU from the legal point of view, Dr Abdel Meguid said that the Sahara received the recognition of thirty states, adding that there was opposition to its seating before referring this matter to the summit conference. Asked whether these developments would exacerbate the situation in North Africa, Dr Abdel Meguid said "we are on the verge of a crisis and we hope that it doesn't happen".
NIGERIA
Promotion of Idiagbon and other senior officers
The Federal Government announced in Lagos the promotions of the Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, and 13 others to rank of major- general or its equivalent in the Navy and Air Force. Also promoted are the GOC (General Officer Commanding) Mechan- ised Division, Brigadier Sani Abacha; the Minister of Internal Affairs, Brigadier Mohammed Magoro; the Commander, Corps of Artillery Brigadier M.G. Nasko; and the Director General of Army Medical Services, Brigadier Ahmadu Rimi.Others are Brigadier Solomon Omojokun, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity; Brigadier Charles Ndiomu, Chairman of the Enugu zone of the special tribunal on the recovery of public property; and Brigadier A. Abdulkadir.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Commodore Augustus Atkhomu, and the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Commodore Patrick Koshoni, were promoted Rear Admirals. The Governor of Kaduna, Air Commodore, Usman Mu'azu, was among the four promoted air vice marshals in the Air Force.
The others are Commodore Muktar Mohammed, a former Governor of Kaduna during the Obasanjo administration; Air Commodore Aboi Shekari, Director, Federal Administration, Supreme Head- quarters; and Air Commodore Mahmood Yahaya, Air Officer Commanding, Training Command.
All the promotions take effect from May 1, except that of Maj-Gen. Ndiomu which takes effect from June 1 and that of Rear Admiral Koshoni, which takes effect from November 1.
In a speech after decorating the officers with their new rank badges, the Head of State, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said that the promotions were overdue and that the Federal Government decided to with- hold them for some reasons. He congratulated the officers and wished them more success in life. Speaking on behalf of the officers, Maj-Gen. Abacha said that their promotions were a challenge and that they would not let the nation down.
Fall in foreign reserve
The level of the foreign reserve fell to N761 million for the month of August, 1984. This represented a decrease of N217.1 million or 22.2 per cent when compared to that of July, 1984,According to the Assets and Liabilities of the Central Bank, the reserve was made up of N19 million in Gold, N669.5 million in L.M.F. Gold Tranche and N16.3 million in Special Drawing Rights (SDR).
When compared with the level of foreign reserve for the corresponding month of 1983, the August, 1984 level represented a decline of N141.9 million or 15.7 per cent, the report revealed.
Currency in circulation increases
Currency in circulation increased to N4.9 billion in the month of August, 1984, according to the assets and liabilities of the Central Bank.This showed an increase of N200 million when compared with that of July, 1984 when the level of currency in circulation was N4.7 billion.
Also when compared with the level of currency in circulation in the corresponding month of 1983 it showed an increase of N44 million, the report explained.
World Bank loan for Agric projects
Nigeria is seeking about N192 million from the World Bank for the execution of agricultural development projects (ADP) in eight states.According to Mr Francis Sulemonu Idachaba, head of the Ibadan-based Federal Agricultural Co-ordinating Unit (FACU), the World Bank assisted ADP's are for Anambra, Bendel, Benue, Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Plateau and Rivers states.
Between three and four of these ADP's are expected to become operational by the beginning of the 1985 cropping season.
'Punch' boss condemns newsprint squeeze
The managing director of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr Labanji Bolaji, has accused the Federal Military Government of punishing newspaper houses who fail to "toe the line".He said that government applied the newsprint squeeze on the privately owned newspapers so as to bring them to their knees.
Mr Bolaji stated his views in a statement circulated in Lagos.
Three newspapers he described as victims of the newsprint squeeze were The Punch, National Concord and The Guardian. He said the N200.000 licence granted each of them was a "calculated attempt by those in government to punish them for daring to express independent opinions".
The Punch managing director explained further that since no such treatment was extended to government owned newspapers the private ones are free to put two and two together to arrive at four".
Stationery neglected
Thousands of ballot boxes used for the 1983 "rigged" general elections, are reported in the Condord to be rusting away at the former Lagos office of the defunct Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO). Wasting away along with the ballot boxes are hundreds of reams of stationeries, meant to have been used by the state office of the defunct commission.Women average seven children
Nigerian women have an average of nearly seven children each in the last 20 years. National Planning Minister, Mr Michael Adigun said a 1981-82 fertility survey has confirmed this high rate.He attributed this growth rate to female early marriage, low literacy level among women, the lukewarm attitude of Nigerians to family planning and the value placed on children and other aspects of socio- economy policy that encourage large families.Diplomat jailed for wee smuggling
A man described in court as a senior Nigerian diplomat has been jailed for ten years for smuggling into Britain heroin with a street value of £650,000.Selcan Tyem, aged 36, first secretary at the Nigerian Embassy in Pakistan, was convicted at Reading Crown Court of smuggling nearly six kilogrammes of the drug into Heathrow in September last year. Abdul Faizi, aged 42, a building contractor,was jailed for five years.
Meanwhile Nigeria's Ministry of External Affairs has denied that Mr Tyem was a senior diplomat.
Official sources at the Ministry described any such reports as mischievous and a calculated attempt to tarnish the image of The the Nigerian diplomatic service. ministry said the man named had been dismissed from the public service in May and that he had been a personal secretary and not a first secretary.
Buhari goes to Jeddah
Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari led a delegation to Addis OAU. He was accompanied by many Ababa to attend the 20th summit of the government officials.Major-General Buhari was also expected to leave Addis Ababa for Jeddah on a visit to Saudi Arabia.
Five policemen arrested
Five policemen have been arrested and detained by the Ogun State Police command in connection with a jail break by seven detainees.Arrested were one inspector, one sergeant and three constables.
State commissioner of police, Mr Felix Musa, said a high powered departmental enquiry headed by the assistant commissioner in charge of CID, Mr L.O. Nwaobuzolor, has been set up to look into the incident.
Corps director jailed for life
A former assistant director of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Chief Folorunsho Kila, has been jailed for life for failure to declare his assets worth N9.5 million. He is the first accused to be sentenced to life since the inception of the special military tribunal (recovery) of public property. He was also jailed 152 calendar years for corrupt practices and unlawful enrichment to the tune of N15.8 millionIn addition, Kila will formally forfeit some certified cheques amounting to N9.6 million already surrendered by him to the Federal Government. Kila's house at Ejigbo, together with furniture therein, are also forfeited to the Federal Government.
Release of Turkish tanker
A Turkish tanker, Sapen I, which had been detained in Nigeria for almost nine months because of economic sabotage, has been released. The Nigerian Justice Ministry also ordered the release of Mustafa Coskuner, the captain of the tanker, who was found. not guilty.The tanker and its captain will leave Nigeria after the necessary maintenance work on the tanker has been completed.
Messages to Reagan and Chernenko
Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhair has sent a message of congratulations to Mr Ronald Reagan, over his re-election as President of the United States of America.He stated in the congratulatory message that he expected the US President to give adequate attention and support for Nigeria in her efforts to solve many pressing African problems, in particular the question of independence for Namibia and racial discrimination in South Africa. General Buhari equally expressed the hope that President Regan would, in his second tenure of office, strive to strengthen the bonds of friendship existing between Nigeria and the United States of America.
The Head of State also sent a message of congratulations to his Soviet Counterpart, Mr Constantin Chernenko on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution. He noted with satisfaction in his message, the promising cordial relations which exist between both the military government of Nigeria and the socialist government of the Soviet Union.
LIBERIA
Plot by "terrorists from abroad" foiled
The Information Ministry has announced that a plan to destabilise the Liberian state and destroy the Liberian people by terrorists from abroad has been foiled by the joint security of Liberia. This was revealed in Monrovia by the National Security Agency of Liberia to Cabinet Ministers and Head of State, Dr Samuel Kanyon Doe, who returned from Tuzohn on November 7, where he was resting for a week.'The National Security Agency of Liberia reportedly received the prior information from friendly sources that some terrorists had arrived in Liberia to destablise the Government by killing innocent citizens, Government officials, and head of State in an attempt to establish a different form of government.
On November 3 officers of the National Security Agency and a military police team had been met by gunfire when they approached a house following a "tip off". When the exchange of gunfire ended, three soldiers were wounded along with two of the terrorists. One terrorist is reportedly still at large.
The Liberian News Agency says the law enforcement officers having subdued the situation, the wounded were then taken to a hospital where they are still receiving treatment. The house was reportedly searched and beside the fatigue uniform and military clothes worn by the terrorists, a cache of weapons and ammunition were also found along with other pertinent documents.
According to Lina, the Liberian Govern- ment takes this opportunity to remind the people of the country that it has given a previous warning about intentions to cause undue suffering to the civilian population by power-seekers. Lina says this is an example which will be further explained to the Liberian people in the near future after the completion of further investigations.
Meanwhile, the Government has appealed to the people of Liberia to be patient, co-operative, vigilant and calm to identify those within our midst who will disturb out people in their quest for power. All security networks have also been called upon by the Government to redouble their efforts in the protection of the people and save the state.
Dr Moniba returns from India
The Vice President of the Interim National Assembly, Dr Harry F. Moniba, has returned to Monrovia from India where he attended the funeral of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Vice President Moniba, who represented the Liberian Head of State in New Delhi, led a three-man delegation to the funeral ceremonies.While in New Delhi, Dr Moniba met and held talks with India's Prime Minister, Mr Rajiv Gandhi.
Korean consulate opens
An office for the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea, Counsellor Roger Steele, has been dedicated by the Korean Ambassador to Liberia, Mr Hyon Hong Lee.Speaking at the Mamarina Building on Randall Street in Monrovia, Ambassador Lee praised the existing cordial relations. between Liberia and Korea, and hoped "the establishment of the consulate would further cement relationship between our two countries."
Also speaking at the ceremony, Foreign Minister T. Ernest Eastman thanked Ambassador Hyon for establishing the consulate and recounted the numerous technical and economic aid Korea has offered to Liberia.
Minister Eastman then pledged his Ministry's support to the Korean Consulate, and wished that during its operation the Cultural and Commercial activities between Liberia and Korea would be further strengthened.
GUINEA
Soviet help in harbour building
The eighth session of the Guinea-USSR joint commission for maritime fishing which opened on October 22, has ended. These sessions were held to discuss and solve problems related to fishing agreements between the two countries and to propose useful solutions to the two Governments.The two sides discussed the new orientations of Guinea-USSR co-operation in maritime fishing and at the end of the talks a draft agreement was signed.
This agreement provides for the possibil- ity of Guinea receiving Soviet assistance in setting up an integrated fishing centre in Conakry, the installation in the Guinea capital of two co-operatives for traditional fishing, increasing Soviet technical assist- ance to the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Fishing, and finally, the rehabilitation of the Conakry No 1 refrigerated warehouse.
The Soviet Union will also take part in the building of a fishing harbour in Conakry.
GHANA
Law to curb land dispute
Flt-Lt. J.J. Rawlings has signed two laws designed to halt tension arising out of the disputes in the Bawku district. According to a statement, all lands in the Bawku district are vested, for the time being, in the PNDC. It will be administered on behalf of the Council by the Administrator of Stool Lands.The statement warned that any person who obstructs the implementation of this law, shall be liable to imprisonment of up to five years without the option of a fine. All tribal and ethnic associations in the district have been declared prohibited organisations. It is also an offence punishable by up to five years imprisonment to be a member of such an organisation.
These moves wee recommended by the civil defence organisation team sent to investigate the causes of tension in the Bawku area. The statement stressed that chieftaincy and land disputes will not be permitted to undermine the national inter- est by disrupting agricultural and economic development. It called on regional and district security councils to exercise extra vigilance in monitoring such cases.
Catholic secretariat receives matchets
The National Catholic Secretariat in Accra has taken delivery of 3,000 pieces of matchets and 50 outboard motors all estimated to cost about 400,000 US dollars for distribution to farmers and fishermen. The inputs form part of the C6.5 million Rehabilitation Programme which the Secretariat is embarking upon to supple- ment efforts of the government.According to Mr Charles K. Eshun, Co- ordinator of the Socio-Economic Develop- ment Department of the Secretariat the inputs would be sold at negligible prices to defray handling expenses and support other projects.
Negotiations for ADB loan
Ghana is negotiating with the African Development Bank (ADB) for a loan of 25.1 million US dollars to finance a number of projects in the industrial and agricultural sectors.This was Nyonator, managing director of the disclosed by Mr C.O. National Investment Bank, shortly before he flew to the Ivory Coast, at the head of a five-man delegation for talks with officials of the ADB. He pointed out that part of the loan
would also be used for the rehabilitation of certain export sectors and the indigenous wood-processing industry. The loan would be used to encourage the production and preservation of vegetables and meat products.
Armed forces in food production
The Ministry of Defence is introducing new structures in the Ghana armed forces to make the military more productive, especially in food. To this end, directors for military farms and ex-servicemen resettlement affairs are to be appointed. Plans have also been made to recruit personnel into the armed forces to take up agriculture.This was announced by the forces commander, Maj-Gen. Arnold Quainoo, when he addressed a meeting of officers and men of the armed forces at the air force station in Takoradi to explain the govern- ment's economic policy to them.
The force commander further disclosed that a five-year programme has been drawn up to make the armed forces self-sufficient in the production of yam, cassava, rice, maize, vegetables and poultry to feed service personnel.
He stressed that the programme is not to turn the armed forces into food producers to feed the entire nation, but to cut down the cost of feeding the military.
Motorbikes for Agric officers
The West German Government has presen- ted 35 Yamaha 100 motorbikes worth C875,000 to the Ministry of Agriculture through the Ghanaian-German Agri- cultural Development Project (GGADP) for distribution to senior agricultural extension officers in the Northern Region. This brings to 138 the number of motor- bikes that the German Government has provided to senior agricultural officers in the region in addition to 1,100 bicycles that have also been distributed to junior exten- sion officers throughout the seven agricultural districts and 27 zones in the region since 1978.The Senior Technical Adviser of the GGADP, Mr Hans Sagebiel, who presented the motorbikes on behalf of the German Government explained that his government mobility to ensure that extension work gets to the farmers on their farms.
Ghana seeks increased credit from UK
On October 31, Accra radio said: "Britain's aid to Ghana this year so far includes a 15m pounds ECGD line of credit for capital equipment and pharmaceuticals and negotiations are currently far advanced for a much larger line of credit for 1985.A British Government grant of 3m pounds will also be used to improve output in the gold and timber sectors of the economy. In addition, a substantial supply of rice is also to be delivered as food aid to the country."
Two weather men dismissed
Two officers of the Meteorological Services Department have been dismissed for gross dereliction of duty which resulted in unnecessary cost to the economy. The officers are Messrs Sumani Benedictus Nobiya, Technical Officer and Oscar Noi Nibi, Senior Technical Assistant. The dismissal was the result of a report submitted to the acting Secretary for Transport and Communications by the Northern Regional Administration on the inability of the Meteorological Services Department to furnish weather information to the Control Tower to enable them to radio weather data to the Captain of Ghana Airways Flight GH 812 on September 9, 1984.The Regional Meteorological Officer, Mr G. B. Salifu, who was interdicted as a result of the inability of his department to furnish the weather information has been reinstated.
'Wee' smuggled through Post Office
The sorting staff of the Accra North Post Office have intercepted three parcels containing Indian Hemp "Wee" which were being sent abroad. According to a statement issued by the Posts and Telecommunications Corporation one of the three parcels was addressed to one Michael Ofori-Gyimah, Dartmouth College, HB 3747, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA.The other two parcels which were concealed in a roll of newspapers were also addressed to two different people bearing the same address. One was addressed to A. L. Bamgo, 3 Collingham Gardens, London, U.K. while the other was addressed to one E. Graham, 3 Collingham Gardens, SW7, London, U.K.
Agreements with Brazil Ghana and Brazil are to establish a joint fertiliser blending and granulating plant in Ghana. An agreement to this effect has been signed in Accra. According to an official statement, the agreement also includes rehabilitation work on grain silos at Sunyani, Accra and Tema, as well as the construction of new ones at district and regional capitals.
The rehabilitation work, according to the statement, is aimed at establishing an integrated national storage and grain handling system. The agreement also provides for a new sugar factory with a capacity of 10,000 to 30,000 tonnes in addition to rehabilitation work to be carried out on the Asutuare and Komenda sugar factories.
The statement said a training centre to train local personnel in the housing and construction industry will be established by the Brazilian Government in conjunction with the Bank for Housing and Construction.
GDR contributions to police service
A GDR trade delegation, which is in the country to explore more areas of co- operation, has met service commanders and officers of the Ghana police service. Speaking at a reception held for the delegation in Accra, the Commissioner of Police in charge of administration, Mr C.K. Dowayno, disclosed that the GDR has contributed immensely towards the equip- ment of the police hospital in Accra.BURKINA
Sankara in Peking
China has signed an economic and technical co-operation protocol with Burkina Faso and granted a loan.Notes were also exchanged on a Chinese donation of relief materials but details of the amounts involved were not immediately available. The agreements were signed in Peking in the presence of Chinese President Li Ziannian and Burkina Faso leader Capt. Thomas Sankara, who is on an official visit.
French co-operation
A financial agreement has been signed by Basile Laita Guissoud, Minister of External Relations and Co-operation, and Christian Nucci, French Minister delegate for Co- operation and Development.The financial convention affects many sectors, namely: Burkinabe radio and tele- vision; the functional literacy programme within the regional development organisations; the High Basins and the Volta Noire projects; and lastly the development of the Volta River valley.
