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XINHUA NEWS SERVICE REPORTS FROM THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

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LIBYA-POLICE-GRADUATION CEREMONY

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African Union seeks to ease tension between Khartoum, Juba

the disputes between the two countries be resolved so that Africans can reaffirm their ability to settle outstanding issues
 

KHARTOUM, (Xinhua) -- The African Union has started new moves to ease recent tension between Khartoum and Juba, hoping to push the two sides to continue the implementation of bilateral agreements.
The African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan ( AUHIP) is holding consultations to bring together Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his Southern Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit before June 25 to settle the ongoing crisis between the two neighbors, local Sudanese media reported Saturday.
To this end, a Sudanese daily on Saturday said that the head of the AUHIP, Thabo Mbeki, is expected to arrive in Khartoum within the coming two days to meet with al-Bashir on the standoff between Khartoum and Juba.
The Almeghar Alsyasy newspaper further disclosed that Mbeki has sent letters to both Khartoum and Juba proposing that they send representatives to sit together to work out a road-map and put forward proposals to settle the dispute between them.
According to the paper, Mbeki insisted that the disputes between the two countries be resolved so that Africans can reaffirm their ability to settle outstanding issues.
Mbeki added that the African mediator has urged the leaderships of the two countries to refrain from media escalation and reach a satisfactory settlement.
Last week, the Sudanese Media Center (SMC) reported that Khartoum had disclosed that the AU had presented proposals to overcome the oil crisis and ease tensions between Sudan and South Sudan.
“The proposals presented ... are still under consideration,” the SMC quoted Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesman Abu Bakr Al- Siddiq as saying.
Tension mounted between the two sides after the Sudanese president announced last week the halt of South Sudan’s oil exportation through Sudan’s territories, accusing Juba of inciting rebel groups against Sudan.
Less than a week from al-Bashir’s decision, the Sudanese army said on Thursday that a rebel group has blown up an oil pipeline in Ajaja area on the border with South Sudan, which led Khartoum to accuse Juba of instigating the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to blow up the pipeline.
The JEM, led by Jibril Ibrahim, refused to negotiate with the Sudanese government for a peace deal. The JEM, other Darfur rebel movements and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM)/ northern sector have formed the Revolutionary Front Alliance, which aims to topple the government in Khartoum.
Meanwhile, observers believe that the AU’s diplomatic efforts could remove the standing tensions between the two countries.
In this regard, Osman Siddiq, a Sudanese political analyst, told Xinhua that “the AU moves are likely to succeed in removing the tensions between Sudan and South Sudan.”
“The AU moves need strong will on the part of the two sides to reach a final solution,” he added, noting that trust constitutes a major factor at this phase to establish strong relationship between the two countries.
Khartoum and Juba had recently agreed to resume South Sudan’s oil exportation through Sudan’s territories as part of the implementation of a cooperation agreement signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last year.
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“Sudan does not seek war with South Sudan”: vice president

KHARTOUM, (Xinhua) -- Sudanese Vice President Al-Haj Adam Yousif has affirmed that Sudan does not seek war with South Sudan, Khartoum’s Al Ray Al Am daily reported Sunday.
“Sudan does not seek to enter into war with South Sudan, but wants to establish good relations with it. However, the latter opted for war,” the newspaper quoted Yousif as saying.
Tensions mounted between Sudan and South Sudan after the Sudanese president announced last week the halt of South Sudan’s oil exportation through Sudan’s territories, accusing Juba of inciting rebel groups against Sudan.
Meanwhile, on Saturday the Sudanese Media Center (SMC) reported that Sudan’s South Kordofan State disclosed military mobilization for South Sudan’s army at the state’s Al-Buram locality.
The SMC quoted Salah Dawdari as saying that “big groups of forces of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) of South Sudan moved from Buhairat Al-Abyad area six days ago and mobilized at Al- Buram waiting orders from the SPLA and leaders of the Sudan People ‘s Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector.”
He added that the logistical support comes to these forces directly from inside South Sudan via field commanders, noting that the SPLA of South Sudan did not break the link with the 9th infantry division of the SPLM/northern sector.
Khartoum and Juba had recently agreed to resume South Sudan’s oil exportation through Sudan’s territories as part of the implementation of a cooperation agreement signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last year. ..............

SUDAN-KHARTOUM-CHINA-ZHONG JIANHUA-VISIT

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Sudan agrees on AU proposals to end tension with South Sudan

KHARTOUM, (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Sunday announced its agreement on proposals presented by the African Union (AU) to end the tension with South Sudan.
“The government has officially agreed on the proposals presented by the AU High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan ( AUHIP) concerning the relationship with South Sudan,” said Sudan Foreign Ministry spokesman, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.
The proposals included mandating the AU border program to form a consultative team to determine the zero line for the demilitarized zone on the ground based on the coordinates mentioned in the map presented by the AUHIP for the two parties, al-Siddiq said.
The mediation further proposed the involvement of the joint border verification and monitoring team in the process, provided that the process is to begin on June 18 and last for six weeks, according to the spokesman.
Al-Siddiq said the team would then meet with the joint security and political committee between the two countries to inform them about the results of its work.
Tensions between Sudan and South Sudan mounted after Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir announced late last month the halt of South Sudan’s oil exportation through Sudan’s territories as Khartoum accused Juba of inciting rebel groups against Sudan.
On Thursday, Khartoum disclosed that the AU had presented proposals for overcoming the oil differences and tensions between Sudan and South Sudan.
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Egypt’s president appoints 17 new governors

CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi decided on Sunday to appoint 17 new governors and keep the other 10 unchanged, state-run news agency MENA reported.
The reshuffle includes the governors of Alexandria, Port Said, Ismailia, Matruh and Aswan, while the governor of the capital Cairo will keep his post.
Seven new governors are affiliated with the ruling Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, and one from the Development and Construction Party, the political arm of the Islamic group Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, according to state-run Al- Ahram news website.
The new governors will swear in on Monday morning.
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Egypt’s president appoints 17 new governors

CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on Saturday announced cutting ties with Syria, shutting down the Syrian embassy in Cairo and withdrawing the Egyptian charge d’ affaires from Damascus, at a popular conference aired on state TV.
Morsi also warned Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah against continuous involvement in the conflict in Syria.
“Hezbollah must leave Syria,” Morsi warned, “We reject any military or political interference in Syria whether by states or militants.”
The Egyptian president added that the country’s leadership, people and army are in support of the Syrian people, yet he stressed non-interference in the Syrian domestic affairs.
He called on the international community not to allow the “ reproduction of repressive regimes,” urging a UN Security Council resolution for imposing a no-fly zone on Syria.
“There is no place for the current Syrian regime in the future of Syria,” Morsi reiterated while addressing the popular conference in support of Syrian “revolution”, held at Cairo Stadium by Islamists.
Morsi also urged Arab and Islamic states for an emergency summit to discuss the latest developments in the Syrian conflict.
The Egyptian Islamist-oriented president deplored that the Syrian conflict killed over 90,000 citizens, injured hundreds of thousands and displaced millions, citing a UN report.
He slammed “regional and international powers” for their military support of the Syrian government that led to the continued bloodshed in the country.
Moving to internal affairs, Morsi criticized the intended anti- president protests on June 30 urged by activists and opposition who call for ousting Morsi and holding an early presidential election.
He said such protests “seek to ruin the state without knowing how to rebuild it afterwards,” insisting they are urged mostly by “residuals of the ex-regime.”
Morsi called such acts, ruining Egypt through such protests, as “illusions,” yet he stressed respect for the right of peaceful protests without riot, damage or weapons.
“We should rather save our energy for work and production,” Morsi added, warning against acts of violence during such protests and calling on the opposition to unite with the leadership to meet the challenges of the country.
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Egypt’s renouncement of ties with Assad accords with Western polices

by Mahmoud Fouly, Tian Dongdong CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- The recent decision of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi to cut diplomatic ties with Syria is “harmonious” with the Western policies against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, especially that it comes after the United States approved providing arms for the Syrian opposition, analysts said.
On Saturday evening, Morsi told a conference in Cairo that he decided to shut down the Syrian embassy in Cairo and withdraw the Egyptian charge d’ affaires from Damascus.
“This is a step that conforms with the recent U.S. escalation to arm the Syrian rebels against Assad’s administration and conforms with its deliberation over imposing a no-fly zone on Syria,” Gamal Salama, head of political science department at Suez University, told Xinhua.
Salama said Egypt is one of the countries “revolving in the U.S. sphere,” and these U.S. allies always make decisions that go in harmony with the U.S. plans.
Morsi also urged Arab and Islamic countries to have an emergency summit on the latest developments in the Syria conflict.
“This summit is meant to provide an Arab cover for any Western escalation against Assad’s administration,” the political expert said, citing Western attacks on the former governments of Iraq and Libya as examples.
With regards to Morsi’s warning to Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah against involvement in the Syria conflict, Salama said that it was meant to please Islamists, particularly the Salafists.
“Morsi needs their support as an intended massive anti-president protests will be held on June 30,” he said, adding that the protests will be held by activists and the opposition who call for an ousting of Morsi and an early presidential election.
Momen Kouifatie, a Cairo-based Syrian exile and opposition figure, said the recent U.S. move to arm Syrian anti-government fighters and Morsi’s recent decision to cut ties with Assad show international-Arab agreement to end Assad’s rule.
“This is a sign that there is an understanding between the international and the Arab communities to end the administration of Assad and to end the interference of Hezbollah in Syria,” Kouifatie told Xinhua.
Morsi reiterated that “there is no place for the current Syrian government in the future of Syria,” adding that Egypt’s leadership, people and army are in support of the Syrian people, but he stressed no-interference in the Syrian domestic affairs.
“I don’t understand if Morsi meant that the Egyptian army would help providing the opposition fighters with arms and training just like what the United States decided to do,” Kouifatie said.
Jabr al-Shufi, head of the Syrian National Council bureau in Cairo, a major opposition group against Assad, said the U.S. decision to arm the Syrian rebels and Morsi’s decision to cut ties with Assad “are not necessarily related,” yet he agreed the U.S. position has encouraged Morsi to make such decisions.
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Egypt’s army not to meddle in domestic affairs of other countries: source

CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- A well-placed military source said the Egyptian army would not interfere in the domestic affairs of any foreign or Arab country, state-run MENA news agency reported Sunday.
“The Egyptian army won’t interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, and won’t be dragged in(to) regional struggles,” the source was quoted as saying.
“The capabilities and potentials of the Egyptian army are employed only to protect Egypt and its national security,” the source added.
The remarks were made a day after Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi said the Egyptian leadership, its people and army are in support of the Syrian people.
On Saturday, Morsi announced the severance of ties with Syria, closure of the Syrian embassy in Cairo and withdrawal of the Egyptian charge d’affaires from Damascus.
“I do not understand if Morsi means that the Egyptian army would help in providing the opposition fighters with arms and training like the United States decided to do,” Momen Kouifatie, a Cairo-based Syrian exile and opposition figure, told Xinhua following Morsi’s speech.
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Egypt’s court sentences Muslim preacher to jail over blasphemy

CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian misdemeanor court sentenced on Sunday a Muslim preacher and his son to jail over charges of insulting religion and tearing up the Bible, state-run MENA news agency reported.
The ultra-conservative Salafist cleric Ahmed Abdullah, known as Abu Islam, was given an 11-year prison sentence, while his son was sentenced 8 years in jail.
The court decided to fine both defendants with a total of 5,000 Egyptian pounds (around 715 U.S. dollars).
Abu Islam has been convicted for tearing up the Bible and disturbing social peace during a protest in September last year outside the U.S. embassy in Cairo against an anti-Islam film produced in the United States.
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Egypt’s parliament refers political rights bill to constitutional court

CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- Egypt’s parliament decided on Sunday to refer a bill on exercising political rights to the Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) after the bill was amended in line with the court’s remarks, state-run MENA news agency reported.
“The Shura Council (upper house of the parliament) approved the remarks of the constitutional court and decided to send the bill back to the court to determine whether it conforms to them,” Shura Council Speaker Ahmed Fahmi was quoted by as saying.
On May 25, the SCC said nine articles of the political rights bill were “unconstitutional.” The articles were mainly related to the use of religious slogans during electoral campaigns and security personnel’s right to vote.
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Arab League welcomes Egypt’s call for summit on Syria

CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- The Arab League welcomed Sunday Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi’s call for holding a summit on Syria, official news agency MENA reported.
“The Arab League welcomes any Arab gathering or Islamic meeting, especially because the Arab world faces many challenges,” said Deputy Secretary General Ahmed Bin Heli in a press statement.
“We haven’t yet received an official request from Egypt to hold the summit... when Egypt officially requests, consultations will be held on the matter,” he added.
Morsi on Saturday urged Arab and Islamic states for an emergency summit to discuss the latest developments in the Syrian conflict, after he decided to cut ties with Syria, shut down the Syrian embassy in Cairo and withdraw the Egyptian charge d’ affaires from Damascus.
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Egypt arrests man over spying for Israel

CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- Egypt detained on Saturday a man for spying for Israeli Mossad, state-run Al-Ahram news website reported.
The Egyptian State Security Prosecution decided to detain the man for 15 days over charges of working for the Israeli Mossad since 2011.
The prosecution said the defendant, an employee for a private company, realized earlier that his link to Mossad had been monitored, so he “confessed” to the Egyptian intelligence in early 2012, hoping that Egyptian authorities would drop charges against him.
The “fake report,” as described by the prosecution, did not work as the Egyptian side kept an eye on the suspect and monitored his movements among Arab and Western countries during 2012 and 2013 until the evidence for conviction was completed.
The man was arrested with surveillance devices and other equipment for communication with the Israeli intelligence apparatus.
On April 21, Egypt unveiled a spy network of Israel based in North Sinai’s Rafah city, northeast of the capital Cairo.
The police arrested the main defendant who uncovered other members working for the Israeli Mossad.
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Israeli military helicopters pursue drug smugglers on Egypt border: report

JERUSALEM, (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military has begun deploying helicopters in anti-drug smuggling operations along the Israeli-Egyptian border, the Israel Hayom daily reported Sunday.
According to the report, Blackhawk utility helicopters from the southern Desert Birds Squadron have been scrambled a number of times to assist ground forces assigned to the Army’s Gaza Division in identifying and tracking Bedouin drug smugglers from Sinai, who deliver narcotics to their Israeli counterparts by tossing them over the border fence.
The cooperation between the pilots and ground troops has been crowned a success. Not a single drug delivery entered Israeli territory out of dozens of attempts made in recent weeks, Israel Hayom said.
“The helicopters, along with surveillance measures and more efficient deployment of ground units, have successfully foiled all drug smuggling operations in the region as of late, though the volume of attempts has not decreased at all,” the report said.
A newly completed hi-tech security barrier that runs along the 240 km-long border, which was originally built to stem the tide of African migrants and defend against militants, has also brought about a dramatic reduction in the amount of drugs flowing into Israel, forcing the smugglers to upgrade their methods, according to Israel Hayom.
Last week, the Gaza Division’s southern brigade helped the police seize 80 kgs of Hashish intercepted during a high-speed chase that ended with the arrest of the smugglers.
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Egypt’s border security busts 7 tons of marijuana

CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- The Egyptian border guard forces busted on Saturday seven tons of marijuana which were being smuggled in a truck coming from Sinai, official MENA news agency reported.
The border guards in Suez governorate managed to bust a truck carrying construction material with sacks of marijuana underneath while it was crossing Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel.
The security forces also arrested a 50-year-old smuggler responsible for the load and his 22-year-old son.
Smuggling marijuana and hashish have been prevailing in Egypt over the past two years due to deteriorating security following the 2011 upheaval that toppled the former regime of Hosni Mubarak.
Over the past few months, the police arrested tens of drug smugglers and seized acres of lands planted with marijuana.
In March, the police arrested three men in Qena governorate with around one ton of marijuana, and also seized a land planted with over two acres of marijuana in Assiut. In late May, a farmer in Gharbiya governorate was arrested for planting half acre of his land with marijuana.
In the beginning of June, the police arrested two people in Sharqiya governorate with 750 kg of marijuana in their possession.
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U.S., Algeria share goals in cooperation, anti-terror efforts: official

ALGIERS, (Xinhua) -- The United States and Algeria share the same objectives in terms of bilateral cooperation and the fight against terrorism, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, was quoted by Algeria’s state- run APS news agency as saying on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference here, Sherman said “we share the same objectives with Algeria, a country with which we have all the means to advance our cooperation in various fields.”
Both countries share the “same values of peace and security in the world,” she said.
“We explore the adequate instruments and appropriate tools in a bid to enhance this cooperation, based on strong and solid relationship,” she said, while praising a “leading” role played by Algeria in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Sherman arrived Sunday in Algeria as part of a tour in the North African region.
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Nigeria detains “suspicious” Ukrainian cargo plane

KANO, Nigeria, (Xinhua) -- A Ukrainian cargo plane suspected to be carrying military hardware has been detained in northwest Nigeria’s Kano State, security and aviation sources told Xinhua on Sunday.
The sources, who declined to be mentioned, said the cargo plane landed at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport of the northwestern state on Saturday night and was immediately grounded by the military authorities who could not confirm the actual destination or owners of the cargo.
An aviation official disclosed that the plane is currently parked on the airport tarmac, where investigation will be thoroughly carried out by Nigerian security operatives.
The aviation source said a search was conducted on the cargo plane on Saturday night and the tarmac where it is being parked has been cordoned off by security operatives.
The Nigerian aviation authorities are yet to officially address the media.
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Regional leaders weigh in on Zimbabwe’s poll date

MAPUTO, (Xinhua) -- Southern African leaders on Saturday urged Zimbabwe to consider delaying the general elections set on July 31 by the country’s veteran leader Robert Mugabe, citing the need to prepare “peaceful, credible, free and fair elections.”
The 15-member Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), which mediated the Zimbabwean political crisis during the 2008 elections, convened a special summit Saturday in Mozambican capital Maputo, attended by Mugabe and Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as well as leaders from other SADC states including South African President Jacob Zuma, the facilitator of the Zimbabwe political dialogue.
After one day’s close-door session, the regional bloc’s secretary general Tomaz Salomao told reporters that the summit “ agreed on the need of the government of Zimbabwe to engage the constitutional court to request more time beyond the July 31 deadline.”
Meanwhile, Zuma was urged to “make more efforts” to ensure the country’s major political parties to undertake immediate measures to create conducive environment for holding peaceful, credible, free and fair elections, Salomao said.
The Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe earlier this month ruled that the country’s harmonized elections, which combine presidential, parliamentary, and council polls on the same day, should be held no later than July 31.
President Mugabe on Thursday proclaimed the election day on July 31, a decision denounced by his arch-rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, arguing that little time is left for crucial reforms to ensure a credible vote.
In response to the call of the SADC summit, Mugabe spoke through state media that it remains to be seen if the Constitutional Court will grant the relief.
“Perhaps we should appeal to the court to examine the reason for the argument ... for giving the people a little longer time,” Mugabe said. “The decision of the court is binding, but if the court says okay go beyond the July 31 by a week or two we hope that will satisfy others who wanted more time.”
Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa, a member of Mugabe’s party who is tasked to handle the issue, however, said there appears no valid reasons for the postponement.
“What is very clear is that some of our political partners are scared of elections,” he said.
The camp of Tsvangirai has not yet responded to the outcome of the summit.
The Zimbabwean prime minister had said the earliest time to hold the elections is August in order to ensure a smooth electoral process. He also demanded key reforms in the media and security sectors which are seen being ruled by Mugabe royalists.
Mugabe, 89, has been ruling Zimbabwe since its independence from former British colony Rhodesia in 1980. According to the new constitution, which limits the presidential term for the first time, Mugabe in theory could rule until he is 99.
The Maputo summit also touched issues of Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
On Madagascar, the SADC said it would not recognize the outcome of any election results which include “candidates who presented their candidatures in violation of the constitution.”
On DR Congo, where the M23 rebels have been destabilized the eastern part of the country, Salomao said that there is the need for engagement among all the political stakeholders in order to find a lasting solution for peace, security and stability. The summit also commended the efforts by Uganda and Rwanda to facilitate the peace talks between the government and the rebels, he added.
The SADC groups Angola, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Seychelles. The membership of Madagascar is suspended.
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Regional leaders urge Zimbabwe to delay polls

MAPUTO, (Xinhua) -- Southern African leaders on Saturday urged Zimbabwe to delay the holding of general elections on July 31 as set by its veteran leader Robert Mugabe, citing the need for more time to prepare the electoral process.
After a special summit of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) held in Maputo, the group’s secretary general Tomaz Salomao said the summit agreed on the need of the government of Zimbabwe to engage the constitutional court to request more time beyond the July 31 deadline for holding presidential, parliamentary, and council polls.
The summit also recommends South African President Jacob Zuma, the facilitator of the Zimbabwe political dialogue, to make more efforts to ensure the full implementation of an agreement among Zimbabwe’s three major political parties in the wake of disputed 2008 polls.
The SADC-brokered Global Political Agreement (GPA) is the foundation of the four-year-old coalition government and paving stone to the upcoming elections.
“The summit urged the three parties to the GPA to undertake immediate measures to create conducive environment for holding peaceful, credible, free and fair elections,” Salomao said.
Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe on Thursday announced that the elections are to be held on July 31, in compliance with a constitutional court ruling made earlier this month.
But the move was denounced by Mugabe’s long-time rival prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai, another key player in the coalition government, saying that more time is needed for crucial reforms in media and security sectors to ensure a fair vote.
Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai, who will be contesting against each other in the upcoming polls, attended the Maputo summit that also drew leaders and officials from the other 14 southern African states.
Either political camp has responded to the summit results yet.
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Mandela continues to get better: Zuma

CAPE TOWN, (Xinhua) -- Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela who has been hospitalized for more than a week, “continues to get better”, South African President Jacob Zuma said on Sunday.
“Over the last two days, although he remains serious, his doctors have stated that his improvement has been sustained,” Zuma said at a rally to commemorate the country’s National Youth Day in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal Province.
“He (Mandela) continues to engage with family,” Zuma said.
“Let me at this juncture, invite you all to keep Madiba (Mandela’s nickname) in our thoughts and prayers. As you are aware, (former) President Nelson Mandela is still in hospital in Pretoria, “ said Zuma.
“I invite you to join me today, in wishing Madiba a very happy Father’s Day today,” Zuma said. “We love him and know that he loves us too.”
Mandela, who turns 95 next month, was rushed to hospital on June 8 after days of experiencing a deterioration in his recurring lung problem which was the result of tuberculosis developed when he was in prison under the apartheid rule.
On Thursday, Zuma visited Mandela and said his condition “continues to improve but his condition remains serious.”
Mandela has been in and out of hospital several times since last December, raising concern about his health.
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Agents cash in on Kenyans seeking education abroad

By Bedah Mengo NAIROBI, (Xinhua) -- Agents of foreign institutions of higher learning in Kenya are having brisk business as the number of Kenyans seeking to study abroad rises.
The agents are earning tidy sums of money from students who want to further their education out of Kenya.
Majority of students who want to study abroad go through them as they seek information on colleges, fee requirements, and courses.
The agents also advise both the undergraduate and post-graduate students on Visa requirements of the country they want to travel to, the best place to find accommodation when they arrive on campus and airlines to board as they travel.
For all these, the universities pay them a tidy sum of commission for each student they successfully help to enroll.
The commission is between 5 percent and 10 percent of the total amount of fees the student is to pay for the course he is to study. However, some universities pay as much as 20 percent commission.
Therefore, if a student is to pay 7,060 U.S. dollars for a three-year course, the agent can earn as much as 706 dollars if the student successfully enrols at the foreign institution.
“Business is good. More and more Kenyans are leaving the country to study abroad, which means good business for us,” Martin Njoroge (not his real name), who partnered with a colleague to become an agent of foreign universities in Kenya, said on Saturday.
The agent noted the number of Kenyans seeking education overseas has been on the rise as foreign universities intensify search for students in the East African nation.
Indeed, the institutions of higher learning have found Kenya a fertile recruitment ground. The universities mainly from Europe, Asia and US are in cut-throat competition for students from Kenya.
Each day, they place adverts in local dailies asking students to attend their education fairs. While some from one region or country partner and hold the fairs, others do them independently.
“Parents and students are invited to attend our education seminars in above named towns. Come with academic certificates for on-spot admission. Partial scholarship available,” said a recent advert of a university in Europe in a Kenyan daily.
The university was holding the seminars in five towns across the East African nation in partnership with a local agent.
Once they have held fairs, which happen once a year, the universities leave the rest of the work to their agents in Nairobi.
Most of the foreign universities’ agents are based in the central business district and Westlands, an upmarket district on the outskirts of the city center.
Njoroge’s office is located at Bruce House in the city center and he handles work for at least five universities, three in Europe and two in Asia.
“When I returned from the U.S. about four years ago and joined hands with a colleague, who also had been in the country, to start the business, not many Kenyans were seeking foreign education,” noted Njoroge, adding that his first client was the university where he was studying.
The number has, however, been improving as foreign universities enhance their publicity locally, more students are locked out of universities in Kenya and fee rises.
“A good number of foreign universities, including some in U.S. and Europe are cheaper. Which makes them attract Kenyans, especially those who believe when they go to local universities they will not study the courses they want,” he said.
At the building, there are dozens of businesspersons working as agents of foreign universities.
“The number has been growing over the years. When we started about four years ago, we were about two of us in this building. But now we are close to ten and all of us are working for different universities,” he observed, adding he helps dozens of students quarterly to join foreign universities.
However, the high season is usually in March and September when most universities are starting new academic years.
Most students, according to Njoroge, are going to universities in Europe, U.S. and Asia. Africa is not a favorite destination.
“In Asia, Malaysia is a favorite destination. Universities from the country have successfully marketed themselves in Kenya. Besides that they are cheap and like many others, hey offer instant admission, including using Mock exam results,” he said.
Some of the students the agents assist learn about foreign universities through newspaper adverts and attend fairs.
However, a good number visit agents’ offices, tell them what they want and then they help them get admission at various universities.
“I searched online and found a university in North Cyprus, which was offering the course I wanted to study and it was cheap. I went to one of their listed agents in Westlands, Nairobi and got on-spot admission,” said Valarie Ngoma.
The agent advised her to pay for full accommodation and stay in campus then she can leave once she has learned the country after first year.
“That is what we always advise our students. It is better one stays on campus first year and then shift later if she finds university hotels are expensive,” said Njoroge, who is planning to expand his business to Mombasa and Kisumu.
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Coal India Mozambique to start second prospecting

MAPUTO, (Xinhua) -- The India Coal Mozambique, a subsidiary of the state Coal India Ltd. (CIL), is to start prospecting coal this month, in its second phase of the project, in the northwestern Mozambican province of Tete, according to Radio Mozambique on Sunday.
In the second phase, the Indian company is to spend 60 million U.S. dollars, the radio said, adding that the decision was made after good results from the India Coal Mozambique in the first phase of the project.
The CIL is also to undertake a study in its third phase of the project, in which the laboratory analysis will last for 18 months.
The coal exploration work will kick off in two years, the Indian firm said. The Coal India Africana Ltd, a subsidiary in which CIL controls 100 percent of shares, is to sell 15 percent of the shares to an entity chosen by the Mozambican government.
The province of Tete is believed to hold one of the world’s richest coal reserves, attracting global mining giants like Brazil’s Vale and Australia’s Rio Tinto.
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South Africa, Mozambique agree to cooperate in fighting rhino poaching

JOHANNESBURG, (Xinhua) -- South Africa and Mozambique have been committed to working together in combating against rhino poaching in the Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Conservation Area, Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs said on Saturday.
The Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Conservation Area was formed in 2002 by South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to cooperate on cross-border conservation.
South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa met Mozambique’s Minister of Tourism Carvalho Muaria in Maputo on Friday.
Molewa said: “We had very frank discussions with our counterparts in Mozambique, and we are glad that we are moving forward.”
“We will work together to curb this problem of poaching,” added the minister.
The meeting was necessitated by the upsurge in the rhino poaching in South Africa.
A total of 408 rhinos have been killed for their horns in South Africa this year, and the Kruger National Park which is under the Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Conservation Area lost over 250 rhinos.
The South African government said the increasing loss of their heritage forced them to seek dialogue with its neighbors.
Albi Modise, the spokesperson of Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs said: “The unfortunate scourge of rhino poaching led to these frank and open talks on means to deal with the problem.”
“The objective of the ministerial meeting was to discuss the successes achieved by this partnership between South Africa and Mozambique on the management of the Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Conservation Area,” said he.
Modise said both agreed to establish a joint law enforcement operation unit in the Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Area.
They also recommended to erect an effective fence on the conservancy area to curb poaching.
In 2013, 121 poachers have been arrested in South Africa. There are currently 119 poachers facing prosecution in South Africa, with 24 of them being from Mozambique.
The two countries agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding very soon on biodiversity conservation and management.
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Egyptian currency expected to depreciate

by Marwa Yahia and Mahmoud Fouly CAIRO, (Xinhua) -- The depreciation of the Egyptian pound in the near future is not alarming as the country’s foreign currency reserves have dropped drastically since 2011 and political instability is looming large, financial experts and economists said.
The Egyptian pound on Saturday slid to record low against Western currencies in ten years. It depreciated by 0.14 percent against the U.S. dollar which rebounded to 7.022 pounds for selling and 6.98 pounds for buying.
Egypt is facing an ailing economy with a budget deficit of over 26.4 billion dollars, and has lost about 20 billion dollars of foreign reserves over the past 30 months following the 2011 upheaval that toppled the ex-regime.
Even worse, global rating agency Standard & Poor’s cut in May the country’s long and short term sovereign credit ratings from B and B- to C and CCC+, expecting “financing pressures to remain elevated.”
“The depreciation of the pound vs the dollar has been expected due to the declining foreign currency reserves and the negative S&P credit rating of the country,” financial expert Mohsen Adel told Xinhua.
Adel, who is also deputy chairman of the Egyptian Association for Financial and Investment Studies, said that the S&P report was issued when Egypt’s net foreign currency reserves was as low as 14.4 billion dollars.
Thanks to deposits from Libya and Qatar, foreign reserves rose to 16 billion dollars at the end of May, he said, citing a latest report of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).
Adel added that the current exchange rates hikes are temporary as Egypt’s economic deals with some Arab and foreign states are expected to bring foreign funds and may lead to the dollar’s retreat.
The recent financial aids from Saudi Arabia, Libya and Qatar, besides a long-awaited loan of 4.8 billion dollars from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other organizations “are expected to provide a foreign currency cover at the CBE,” said the Egyptian expert.
Mohamed Abdel-Aziz Hegazi, finance professor at the American University in Cairo, said that the unbalanced exports and imports, as well as the declining tourism revenues along with the installments of foreign debts, which are expected to reach 44 billion dollars in total, are reasons behind the depreciation of the pound versus Western currencies.
“The pound decline has been expected and it will continue to slide in the near future over prospected political instability due to June 30 demonstrations urged by opposition and activists to call for early presidential elections,” Hegazi told Xinhua.
He noted the upcoming protests would negatively affect the economy and scare off foreign investors in the long run even if they could not achieve their political purposes.
Hegazi commended the government success in saving the foreign currency reserves by opening communication channels with Arab and foreign countries, reiterating that the Islamic and Arab funds will work as alternative for the IMF rescue loan in the short run.
“Egypt will rely more on foreign loans to maintain foreign currency reserves,” the expert said, referring to borrowing as “the only option” for the government.
He asserted that the Egyptian government was keen to stick to the IMF reform conditions, but for some political reasons the loan had been delayed.
Hamdy Abdel-Azim, economics professor at Sadat Academy and Cairo University, echoed Hegazi’s opinion that the shortage of foreign currency and the gap between the country’s exports and imports were among the reasons behind the pound depreciation.
“The CBE had to interfere via a new system to rationalize foreign currencies and create a balance in the markets,” he told Xinhua.
He added that imports of foodstuff, diesel and other necessities increased demands for dollars while the revenues of exports and tourism could not provide sufficient coverage of foreign funds at the CBE.
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Kenya pledges to reward rugby players for W. Cup victory

NAIROBI, (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday pledged cash rewards to the country’s rugby team to the World Cup Championship in Russia if it wins the championship which starts on June 28.
Kenyatta who handed over the national flag to the rugby team said he will give 1,180 U.S. dollars every player of the Kenya Rugby Sevens National Team if they win the championships.
“For a long time Kenya has been renowned for its athletes. But thanks to the Kenya Rugby Sevens, the country is now also renowned as a rugby playing nation,” the president said in Nairobi.
Kenya, which was third in Dubai World Cup in 2009 under coach Benjamin Ayimba, has been drawn in Pool C alongside Zimbabwe, the Philippines and Samoa at the World Cup.
With 24 teams taking part, the six pool winners and the two best runners-up will book their berths to the Main Cup quarterfinals.
However, unlike the last three editions where Kenya was guided by a native coach, this time round, Englishman Mike Friday will be in charge.
In his debut season with Kenya, Friday guided the team to finish fifth with 99 points at the IRB World Series.
Kenyatta also said each player will receive 882 dollars and 235 dollars if they reach the semis and qualify for quarterfinals respectively. “You have done the country proud in the past and I am convinced that you will do it again,” he said.
Kenyatta said his government is committed to giving full support to the sports fraternity. He noted that the country’s sports sector has been underfunded in the past.
President Kenyatta said his government will move to ensure sufficient budgetary allocation for sports.
“We need to inject more money into sports to bolster support for our sportsmen and women who are ambassadors of the nation wherever they go,” he said. The president said the team has not only projected the country’s prowess as a sporting nation but also inspired many young people.
The president lauded the team for its transparency and commitment to promoting the sport in Kenya and urged other sports federations to emulate it to make the country a greater sporting nation.
“I know no better way of tackling the issues of drug abuse, alcoholism and some other vices that we are tackling, than to create for our nation sportsmen and women who the youth can emulate and look up to,” President Kenyatta said.
The team, which is training in Nairobi, will depart on Sunday for London, where they will have a two-week training camp, before they proceed on to Moscow on June 25.
Rugby World Cup Sevens is the premier stand-alone international rugby sevens competition.
The event is organised by the sport’s governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), and is contested by the men’s national sevens teams every four years.
The inaugural tournament was held in 1993 in Scotland, the birthplace of rugby sevens.
Deputy President William Ruto pointed out those sports is a major component of the country’s development and asked the sportsmen and women are great ambassadors of the country.
“As you travel to Moscow for the championship, just know that every Kenyan is praying for you to emerge victorious,” Ruto said.
Sports, Culture and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Dr. Hassan Wario disclosed that his ministry has been working closely with the Kenya Rugby Union and the national rugby team to ensure its success.
The Cabinet Secretary pointed out that the ministry has already provided 35,300 dollars towards the national rugby team’s preparations and training in England on its way to Moscow for the World Cup Championship.
Wario added that the ministry is also exploring the possibility of providing more funds for the actual participation of the rugby team in the Moscow World Cup Championship.
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Nigeria makes belated arrival in Brazil for Confederations Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian soccer team arrived in Brazil on Sunday, three days behind schedule and a day before it is to open against Tahiti in the Confederation Cup.
The team landed in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte in the early morning hours, putting an end to speculation that Nigeria might miss the eight-team tournament due to unspecified “internal problems.”
Africa’s current top team was expected in Brazil last Thursday, but was reportedly delayed by a disagreement between the players and the regional federation over how much they would be paid for playing in the cup.
Prior to the team’s arrival, Jospeh Blatter, the head of FIFA, the world soccer body, announced that the “internal problems” plaguing the so-called “green eagles” had been resolved and the team would be arriving in Brazil Saturday.
The only team member to speak to the press upon landing Sunday was defensive player Kenneth Omeruo, who declined to say what had held up the team.
“I’m not authorized to speak about that, but it’s been resolved. I’m happy to be in Brazil,” he said.
Nigeria plays Tahiti in Belo Horizonte Monday in Group B, which also includes Spain and Uruguay.
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South Africa take 2013 Tbilisi Rugby Cup

TBILISI, (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Sunday extended its winning streak to three to complete their trip to the Georgian capital to take away the inaugural IRB Tbilisi Cup.
The SA President’s XV defeated hosts Georgian Lelos 21-16 with a halftime scoring of 16-13.
Ireland, represented by Emerging Ireland, downed Uruguay 42-33 to finish runner-up in the four-team round-robin tournament.
The Irish led the first half 21-7, en route to scoring six tries for a tournament per-game high.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) created the Tbilisi Cup tourney for world second-tier rugby nations in the tune-up toward the 2015 World Rugby Cup.
The Tbilisi Cup is the first time ever for the South Caucasus country of Georgia to host an IRB event for senior players.
Tbilisi played host to an IRB junior World Cup event in 2011.
 
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