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Central African Rebels Expect ‘Open Negotiations’ In Libreville

A member of the delegation of the Central African rebels to the Libreville peace talks with the government, Christophe Gazam Betty, says he expects "open negotiations". Betty said on Thursday, ``We expect open talks without any ``pre-condition" about the departure of President Francois Bozizé.''

``What is at stake for us is to quickly put in place a solid team in Bangui capable of implementing a 'Marshal plan' for the Central African Republic with the support of the international community.

``We must avoid a generation of Central Africans taking the country hostage," Betty, who represents the Convention of Patriots for Peace and Justice (CPJP) within the umbrella Séléka rebels, told PANA over the phone at the start of the talks.

According to him, without waiting for the end of the talks in Libreville, they must restore national cohesion in the country, badly damaged by the confusion between rebels and Muslims.

``Part of the national community has been demonised since the beginning of the rebellion. We must quickly mend the strained relations with our Central African Muslim friends. ``What is important is for all to get together to give a shot in the arm to the Central African Republic," Betty, who heads CPJP's political and diplomatic affairs unit, added.

Delegations of the government, the rebels and the opposition have arrived in Libreville for the talks under the aegis of the Economic Community of Central African States (CEAC). The international community has been repeating calls urging rebels and the government to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

``Negotiations are more than ever necessary. Parties are requested to respond without delay to the invitation of the Economic Community of Central African states to start the peace parleys planned in Libreville," the French ministry of foreign affairs said late last week.

The Francophonie International Organisation (OIF) also encouraged the holding without delay of a political dialogue that takes into account elements likely to guarantee sustainable peace and enhanced democracy in the Central African Republic.

The rebels' march towards Bangui, the Central African capital, was halted in Damarra, some 75 km from the city. Nearly 400 South African soldiers have arrived in Central African Republic while France has increased the number of its soldiers in the country to more than 500. (PANA/NAN)

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Power Grab: Women Take Over Jonathan’s Government

While a disorderly opposition dithers in plotting to seize power from President Goodluck Jonathan, they may already have been outflanked by a coterie of powerful women who now call the shots in the same administration they are targeting to supplant.

Read full story in today's edition of LEADERSHIP.

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Britain Warns Of More Syria Violence, Must Step Up Response

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's intransigence and brutality mean there is a serious risk violence in Syria will worsen, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Thursday.

``If a violence scenerio is expected, then the international community must ``step up" its response,''Hugue added. ``President Assad's speech last week urged the Syrian people to unite in a war against his opponents.

``Given the regime's intransigence and brutality, there is a serious risk that the violence will indeed worsen in the coming months," Hague told parliament.

``If that happens the international community's response will have to be stepped up. So we will not rule out options to save lives and protect civilians," he added. (Reuters/NAN)

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Nigerian Journalists Most Poorly Paid, Says NTA Manager

Mr Banji Sarumoh, the General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Ilorin, said that Nigerian journalists had the worst conditions of service in the world. Sarumoh made the statement on Wednesday in Ilorin at a session taged ``NUJ Parliament'', organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kwara chapter.

He observed that the media played pivotal role in the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria. He blamed poor funding and proliferation of media houses for the impoverishment of journalists, urging the NUJ to clamp down on media houses that could not pay staff salaries.

“Nigerian journalists have the worst condition of service in the world and this is because of proliferation of media houses. “What journalists collect in Nigeria today is very ridiculous when compared to the job we do.

“The NUJ should guard against the proliferation; why must someone set up media outfit, when he knows he cannot pay salary?"   Sarumoh advised journalists to embark on developmental and investigative journalism and be conscientious while discharging their duties.

He said there was need for journalists to avoid unnecessary romance with politicians, to give the profession good image. “We have fallen short in areas of developmental and investigative journalism; what we do most is politicking and writing political stories.   “Embarking on developmental journalism will help the nation and the people as a whole,” the general manager said. (NAN)

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Read more about the article Indian President Honours 15 Indians In Diaspora

Indian President Honours 15 Indians In Diaspora

Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee has bestowed the country's honours on 15 overseas Indians including Shri Rajkeswur Purryag, the President of Mauritius, as part of activities marking Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (BPD) 2013.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the Nigerian delegation to the convention reports that the colourful ceremony held at Le-Meridien Hotel, Kochi, India, on Wednesday.

NAN reports that the awardees were recognised for their roles in various fields of human endeavour in their respective countries of abode. Purryag, the president of Mauritius, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the PBD 2013 was given an award for his achievements in public service while the Australia India Society of Victoria was given community service award.

Others who received community service award were Mr Ashok Vaswani based in Guinea, Indian Doctors Forum, Kuwait, Tan Sri Ravindran Menon, Malaysia, Dr Salendra Singh, New Zealand and Mr Bava Pandalingal of UAE.

Other recipients of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award were Prof. Gursharan Chhatwal of Germany, for Science, Mexico based Dr Rasik Joshi for Literature, while awards for Business went to the duo of Mr Gilbert Moutien of Reunion Island and Mr Mohammed Karuvanthodi of Saudi Arabia.

Public Service award recipients were Mr Ismail Ebrahim of South Africa and Mr Subash Razdan of U.S. while Ms Patricia Rozario of UK got an award for Music while Dr Narendra Kumar of U.S. bagged Healthcare award.

Addressing the recipients and other delegates, Indian president Mukherjee commended the developmental roles being played by some Non Residents Indians (NRI), saying the Government of India was proud of them. ``While we celebrate the accomplishments of Indians in the Diaspora, we should not also forget that many of them are struggling to establish themselves and many are facing hardships,’’ he said.

He said the Indian Missions abroad have been working to solve many problems confronting the Indian Diaspora in their respective countries, urging the successful ones among them to assist the upcoming ones.

The President also urged the recipients as well as other delegates at the convention to assist India in its economic growth policy by being partners in progress in the drive towards the realisation of accelerated growth.

He said for India to regain its eight per cent economic growth, there must be high investment rate in the country with Non Resident Indians investing in Indian companies and establishing new ventures.

Mukherjee said that the government of India has set up a friendly economic regime to enable Indians abroad remit money to the country with over 67 billion Dollars remitted as at the end of Oct. 2012.

``With the knowledge and experience you have gained as academics, scholars, scientists, technologists, professionals and businessmen, you can play a decisive role in the development of India’’, he said.

NAN reports that the 2013 convention of Indians in the Diaspora was held in Kochi, India with the theme: ``Engaging the Diaspora: The Indian Growth Story’’. The day, Jan. 9, coincides with the date the father of the Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi, returned from South Africa 98 years ago. (NAN)

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