Fuel gauge indicating an Empty tank

According to the New Times, Ministers in charge of East African Affairs have discussed the ongoing fuel crisis in the region as a way of finding a solution to the problem that has affected the region despite the general decrease of its price on the global market. The Minister for the East African Community, Monique Mukaruriza, said that she had discussed with her counterparts on how fuel trucks can be facilitated through those countries. "We have discussed with the ministers of the East Africa Member States of Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya and agreed to facilitate the fuel trucks into the country," said Mukaruriza who is also the chairperson of the EAC Council of Ministers. According to Antoine Ruvebana, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Commerce and Investment Promotion, the trucks which he said were being loaded, are expected in the country this week. The fuel expected in the country after the arrival of the trucks totals to 12,000,000 litres.

Zimbabwe Cholera War Hots Up

The Government of Zimbabwe has rolled out the national cholera education awareness programme and spells out modalities for the distribution of drugs, equipment and funds received from donors as measures to thwart the deadly disease intensify according to the Herald. The resources were acquired following the national request for assistance on cholera launched last month and since the receipt of the drugs, equipment and experts, the disease is being tamed. Various countries have contributed water treatment chemicals, drugs, equipment, money and medical experts to help Zimbabwe battle the epidemic that has so far claimed over 1 600 lives. Addressing stakeholders in the health sector at a meeting held in Harare on Monday, the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said the educational programme was scheduled to run for at least six weeks. "The rollout programme is expected to start tomorrow (today) with a meeting between Government and selected people who would be informed," Dr Parirenyatwa said.

Nigerian Legislators Hurry over Budget

Federal lawmakers in the Lower House did not pass the 2009 budget before Christmas so as to avoid conflict with Aso Rock over capital project allocations as was reported by the Daily Independent. House Defence Committee Chairman, Wole Oke, explained that to journalists in Abuja at the weekend. His take was supported by Petroleum Committee (Upstream) Chairman, Bassey Otu; Appropriation Committee Chairman, Ayo Adeseun; and Media and Public Affairs Committee Chairman, Eseme Eyiboh. Oke said the Chamber opted for a thorough examination that will gel with the position of the executive. He reiterated that there is a bi-cameral legislature, the House of Representatives and the Senate, "but the actual legislation is majorly the business of the House of Representatives where there are 360 as against 109 Senators.

Ethiopian Troops in Somalia Deployed in Provincial Capital

Ethiopian troops with more military trucks accompanied by Somali militias have reached in Garbaharey, a provincial capital of Gedo region in western Somalia, witnesses told Shabelle Media Network on Monday. Col. Barre Aden Shire, a warlord is leading the Somali militias. Residents say other Ethiopian troops reached in Qansahdhere town in Gedo region early on Monday. Residents started to flee from the towns in fear of the Ethiopian soldiers and left their houses behind. Ethiopia invaded Somalia in 2006 to rescue an embattled transitional administration and oust the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which had taken control of most of the country. But in the past week, Ethiopia has started to wind down its military operations in Somalia. Ethiopia's continued presence in Somalia has been one of the main grievances expressed by the Islamist insurgents and allied clan militias.