China pledges billions to Africa

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China pledges billions to Africa

LONDON - The China-Africa Forum which ended Sunday in Beijing was attended by at least 50 African countries including heads of state and business officials. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that 16 deals worth US$1.9 billion were signed between the Chinese and African governments and companies.
During the opening ceremony the Chinese President Hu Jintao said China would double aid to Africa by 2009, pledging US$3 billion in loans and $2 billion in export credits. A $5 billion fund will be established to encourage Chinese investment in Africa. Jintao also promised to cancel any debts owed by the poorest African countries.
Among the invited guests were Robert Mugabe and several controversial leaders who have been criticised for serious human rights abuses against their own people. The host country China is accused of protecting these figures on the global stage, flooding Africa with cheap products, destroying local businesses, and ignoring environmental standards. At the forum Chinese officials repeatedly said they were making major efforts to address all concerns. They also argued that China’s huge market was opening up to Africa and this would mean growth for African businesses. – SW Radio Africa


Free Zim Youth to meet SADC chair

LONDON - The diligence and determination of the energetic UK-based pressure group, Free Zim Youth, has resulted in them being granted a meeting with Southern African Development Community (SADC) officials here this week. They will urge SADC to change its policy on the political and economic meltdown in Zimbabwe. This was significant because Lesotho’s Prime Minister Pakalitha Musisili is the current co-chairperson of SADC, said spokesperson Alois Mbawara.
The youth activists said in a statement; “This is a follow up to the just ended SADC finance protocol summit in South Africa in which we feel member states are mocking our suffering by signing Zimbabwe to the trade protocol. They know there is no economy to talk about due to bad policies, with no balance of trade.” – SW Radio Africa


UN selection unfair say cops

HARARE - There are allegations that Police Commisssioner Augustine Chihuri is excluding officers from United Nations peacekeeping duties because they sympathise with the opposition MDC.
Press reports say he has barred about 150 junior officers from taking part in lucrative peacekeeping duties in Kosovo because of their ‘questionable loyalty’ to Robert Mugabe’s regime.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has been participating in UN peacekeeping missions for the last 15 years. ZRP officers have served in Angola, and currently they have personnel keeping peace in Liberia, Sudan and East Timor.
It is believed the commissioner has also warned officers during pre-deployment briefings not to make any negative statements about Zimbabwe while abroad. – SW Radio Africa