Just three weeks after his appointment, Somalia’s new Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein has dismissed his cabinet. He is expected to appoint a new one that will consist of 18 ministers and five deputy ministers, compared to the 73 ministers and their deputies in the previous government. "The prime minister recognized the need for a small but effective cabinet that will win over the confidence of both the Somali people and the international community," said the government spokesperson, Abdi Haji Gobdon.

Zimbabwe: Better Days Ahead

Public broadcasters in Zimbabwe will now be required to provide news and public affairs programming which meet the highest standards of journalism and which is fair, unbiased, and independent from Government, commercial or other interests. This will be implemented if talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC (opposition MP’s) under a SADC (Southern Africa Development Cooperation) initiative brokered by South Africa’s President, Thabo Mbeki goes through. Political parties seeking to hold public gatherings can now appeal to a magistrate if police turn down their application to hold public gatherings.

It’s a Win for Sudan

Sudan’s soccer team beat Tanzania to a 2-1 defeat at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam during this year’s Senior Challenge Cup. The Sudanese fought hard to beat Tanzania, which was playing at home. Sports in Sudan are becoming popular as means to bring unity amongst the warring parties. 

Bank of Africa Spreads Wings

The Bank of Africa group has added Tanzania to its wide spread financial services profile in Africa. Tanzania joins ten other African countries in which the bank operates. Started in 1982 in Mali, the bank has grown steadily in operations in the African countries. It opens up in Tanzania with three branches. Bank of Africa has a revenue base of over 130 million euros with Paul Derreumaux, as the President

Kenyans Impressed by Service Providers

This year’s December festive season is set to be the most exciting for Kenyans. Everyone is impressed because all mobile phone service providers have cut down calling costs to as less as 90% off the initial cost of calling per minute. This means that friends and relatives will be able to call each other especially at night when the costs are much cheaper. Festive seasons in Kenya are characterized by high spending, visiting and chatting with friends countrywide especially among the youth.

Aggresive Zuma Carries the Day

For the past one week, 3900 delegates have been meeting in Polokwane, in an African National Congress party conference to vote between archrivals South Africa president Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma (Former Vice-president) as party president. Zuma  emerged  winner after garnering over 2000 votes and is almost certain of becoming South Africa’s next president in the 2009 general elections when Mbeki steps down. The two opponents are a sharp contrast of each other in both character and opinion, with Zuma being seen by many as more vibrant in leading the party than Mbeki who is reserved and less aggressive.