Bush praises Uganda’s Museveni

Ugandan president has received thumbs up from George Bush of the US on strategies he has put in place to deal with HIV/AIDS. He said Museveni is a very strong leader. The two leaders had a meeting last Monday at the Waldorf Astoria in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.At a joint press conference after the meeting, Bush said; “I just had a very productive meeting with President Museveni. He’s been a very strong leader on a number of fronts. First, he’s been very helpful in solving regional conflicts on the continent of Africa, and I want to thank you for your leadership.”“Secondly, you gave me great confidence when it came to realising the proper strategy in dealing with HIV/AIDS. The success in Uganda showed the rest of the continent and the world how strong leadership and a good strategy can save lives. The ABC programme was implemented in your country. Infection rates went from a lot to a much smaller number,” he added.In response, Museveni thanked Bush for his support to Uganda through the AIDS fund which has made it possible for many Ugandans to receive the anti-retroviral drugs. He hailed the US for the Millennium Challenge Account and other support through the World Bank and USAID. “What we need is to lower the cost of doing business in Africa through investing in infrastructure and energy, so that we can attract foreign direct investment,” Museveni said.

Africa hails Mbeki’s maturity

Thabo Mbeki has been hailed in many African countries as being a true democrat after resigning his position as president of South Africa. Many say that signaled mature leadership. Mbeki’s announcement that he had resigned before the end of his term next year has impressed many people on the continent.A computer programmer, Noel Desire, in Ivory Coast, said Mbeki’s resignation was a symbol of true democracy and that such kinds of leaders were the ones which were needed, Reuters News Agency reported. He described Mbeki as an understanding leader who puts the interests of the country first than his personal goals.These sentiments were cemented by a Liberian businesswoman, Rebeccah Tweh, who observed that the African continent has seen many African leaders cling to power but that Mbeki had shown the continent the true meaning of democracy.“This is a kind of a leader we need in Africa. If we had at least 20 Thabo Mbeki’s in Africa, this would be a good place to be,” said a Liberian businesswoman Rebecca Tweh. Several other citizens have made their comments on Mbeki’s resignation, however, others have said this might bring confusion into the rich southern African nation following differences which have erupted in the ruling African National Congress (ANC).The ANC has been divided following differences between its president Jacob Zuma who is certain to become the next president next year and Mbeki. Zuma defeated Mbeki to become president in December last year.The ANC has announced that deputy leader, Kgalema Motlanthe, would be president until the polls. Already the country is in a crisis following Mbeki’s resignation as about 10 ministers felt duty bound on Tuesday to resign in respect of Mbeki.In another development an sabcnews.com report said a survey released by Ipsos Markinor shows that just a few months ago the country’s voting population had never heard of the incoming interim President, Motlanthe or they knew very little about him.The survey carried out between April and May, among respondents 18 years and older, scores Motlanthe 4 out of 10.Meanwhile South Africa’s cabinet met on Wednesday after the resignation of the 10 ministers and the deputy president aroused fears of political instability amid the country’s biggest political crisis since the end of apartheid.

Congolese Prime Minister resigns

The Congolese Prime Minister, Antoine Gizenga has resigned his position on Thursday. His letter of resignation has been submitted to President Joseph Kabila and awaiting response. He made his disclosure on National Broadcasting Television of Congo.Gizega, 84, said: “We can now affirm that the country begins to take the proper course and experiencing a dynamic recovery and rebuilding. We must stand firm and move forward with determination. However, for every man, even if the spirit can still be healthy and alert, the physical body has its limits which should be taken into account.” “That is why, after almost half a century of struggle for national cause, and more than 600 days to exercise office of Prime Minister and Head of Government, I have decided today to submit my resignation this post to the President of the Republic, Head of State. I filed the relevant letter today, at 10am. We will answer the President when it pleases us to know,” he added.According to Article 78 of the constitution of DCR, the prime minister concludes his duties upon submission by him to the resignation of the government.In Article 147, when the National Assembly adopts a motion of censure, the government is deemed to have resigned. In this case, the Prime Minister presents the government’s resignation to the President within twenty four hours.In the opinion of constitutional experts, the Constitution does not provide for the resignation of Prime Minister alone. This means that Gizenga resigns automatically with his team. It is now left for the president to appoint a new prime minister within the majority.Gizenga resigns when the country was rocked by several problems, including the resumption of war in Kivu and the rise of social discontent.The president of the National Assembly, Vital Kamerhe, on Wednesday announced that his institution is expected to question the head of government on these issues and if the explanations given were not convincing, it could lead to the collapse of the government.For now Gizenga will continue to exercise until the president takes note of the resignation.Gizenga, who heads the Unified Lumumbist Party or PALU, came in third in presidential elections two years ago. He subsequently entered into a coalition with Joseph Kabila who won the run-off vote.Analysts believe his appointment as Prime Minister was aimed at appeasing the restive northeastern Congo, which long resented the central government in Kinshasa, and where several small rebellions continued to fester.

Zambia: Fuel prices lowered

Taxes on imported fuel have been lowered by 15 percent in Zambia following a fall in global oil prices. The country’s Energy Regulation Board (ERB) chairman Sikota Wina said Wednesday that the customs duty for imported diesel, which the nation uses to operate the mine industry, had been lowered.Wina further said the customs duty on imported petrol had gone down to 36 percent from 45 percent. “In order to cushion consumers against rising fuel prices, the government has decided to further reduce excise duty on petrol and diesel. Inevitably, reductions on excise duty have to be reflected through lower (pump) prices,” the chairman told the Reuters News Agency.According to media reports, the country’s petrol prices, which were at US$3 per litre, would now be cut by 1,956 kwacha, while diesel which was pegged at 9,067 kwacha had been reduced by 1,091 kwacha.In another development Zambia has shut down its sole refinery for routine maintenance. According to Wina, the Indeni Oil Refinery was shut down on September 20 for annual maintenance and that it would re-open after 30 days.The country’s mines a few months ago suffered fuel shortage due to its rise on the international market.