Swaziland is debating a law that allows King Mswati III to take over all radio and television stations in the kingdom.
The Swaziland Broadcasting Bill 2013 gives the king the authority to take over the stations if there is a ‘threatened public emergency’, after a ‘proclamation of a state of public emergency or threatened public emergency’.
Democracy tour
Malawi’s President Joyce Banda will next week visit America to discuss issues on how to strengthen democratic institutions across sub-Saharan Africa and build on Africa’s democratic progress to generate increased economic opportunities and expanded trade and investment. She will be with Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, President Macky Sall of Senegal and Prime Minister José Maria Pereira Neves of Cape Verde.
Food boost
The World Bank Board of Executive Directors recently approved an International Development Association credit of $89.4 million to boost food and farm productivity in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. Agriculture is the largest sector in the three countries and a major source of livelihoods for an estimated 277 million people. Raising agricultural productivity is seen as critical for fighting poverty, achieving food security and protecting the environment.
ANC disbands youth
The ANC this week dissolved its Youth League and Limpopo executive committees due to their involvement in the chaos and factionalism that has rocked the party in recent months.
The two structures were active in an abortive campaign to remove Jacob Zuma from his position as party president at the ANC’s elective conference in Mangaung last December.
Defence spending
The Swazi government plans to increase its spending on defence equipment more than 50 fold to $6.8 million this year. King Mswati III’s government has always been mum on what the money is spent on, citing national security as an excuse.
The government intends to spend more millions on materials and supplies in the Ministry of Defence.
Kenyatta can visit
Botswana’s foreign ministry said recently that it had no intention of stopping Kenya’s President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta from visiting, but stressed that it would comply with the International Criminal Court’s rules.
The clarification follows the furore caused by media statements attributed to Foreign minister, Phandu Skelemani, warning Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto not to step foot in Botswana if they fail to cooperate with the ICC.
Post published in: Africa News