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/ 27 November 2006

Analysts: DA needs to widen appeal

The Democratic Alliance (DA) must transform its reputation as the voice of the white minority before it can ever hope to challenge the African National Congress’s stranglehold on power, analysts said on Monday. Tony Leon stunned observers on Sunday when he announced he would step aside at the party conference in May next year.

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/ 27 November 2006

Chiluba cleared for treatment in SA

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has directed his government to immediately send his corruption-tainted predecessor Frederick Chiluba for cardiac treatment in South Africa, Chiluba’s spokesperson said on Monday. Mwanawasa authorised Chiluba to travel for treatment after his doctors said his cardiac condition had deteriorated and a heart transplant is now being considered.

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/ 27 November 2006

UN troops open fire on rebels in eastern DRC

United Nations helicopters and peacekeepers on Monday opened fire against rebels after coming under attack in and around the volatile eastern town of Sake in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a spokesperson for the UN mission in the DRC said. Forces loyal to a rebel general seized part of Sake on Sunday in heavy fire fights with government soldiers.

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/ 27 November 2006

Somali PM vows to take Mogadishu from Islamists

Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi vowed on Monday that his government, backed by Ethiopia, would take Mogadishu from powerful Islamists now controlling the city, fuelling war fears. With forces loyal to his weak administration and Ethiopian soldiers reinforcing the government seat of Baidoa, Gedi said he had an obligation to act.

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/ 27 November 2006

Moroccan monarch’s powers in the spotlight

Moroccans are currently engaged in a debate about the possibility of reducing the constitutional powers of their king — this after a collective of NGOs issued an appeal titled For a New Constitution That Works. The appeal also speaks of the need for Parliament to be able to investigate and control the executive.

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/ 27 November 2006

Standard Bank floats stakes in Ugandan affiliate

Standard Bank on Monday floated 20% of shares in its Ugandan affiliate in the country’s largest initial public offering to private investors. Spokesperson Daniel Nsibambi said 1,02-billion shares in Stanbic Ugandan were being offered on the Uganda Securities Exchange in a move expected to raise 71-billion Ugandan shillings (R278-million).

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/ 27 November 2006

Sea pirates drift south to threaten SA waters

Ruthless sea pirates who plunder hundreds of ships each year off the coast of Africa are moving south, threatening South African waters, the Pretoria News reported on Monday. The United Nations Security Council has urged the Southern African Development Community to take drastic action against the gangs of heavily armed pirates.