The President of JAR Recieved International Award

The president of JAR got an international Award from INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) of Nigeria. The award which is only for 18 out of 2215 after attending the presidential elections of Nigeria. Moha Farah said its our goal to reach the great vision of our fathers and freedom fighters of Africa! Hopefully new generations will take it seriously as an example of KWAME NAKRUMA, KENNETH KUANDA, Nelson Mandela and others. Africa will be free from poverty,civil wars, election crises and such, if we all admit our mistakes and take the right path. 

She concluded saying "I am honored and thankful to INEC who really made me proud to push African leaders into democratization process such which I sometimes hesitate. I am happy and received this in the name of my African fellow journalists".

Muse Bihi Abdi on an Official Visit to Ethiopia

Muse Bihi Abdi , the chairman of Kulmiye Party, the leading party of Somaliland is on an official visit to Addiss-Ababa, Ethiopia. He already held talks with government officials and EPRDF - the Ethiopian Leading Party officials. He also granted an exclusive interview with Moha Farah and mention that Ethiopia and Somali land will be getting closer ties in trade, politics, economic,and security. 
He thanked Ethiopian Government's considerations of Somaliland since her the rough times and struggles such which occurred in the Northern part of Somalia. He also pass great commendation on buildings and development taking place in Ethiopia. Many congrats says Muse Bihi to Ethiopian people and government!

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION,
Dr. JEAN PING
ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

3rd MAY 2011

Africa is experiencing an unprecedented change in its media landscape with remarkable entry into the social media universe hitherto reserved for the press, broadcasters and other news agencies. This context which constitutes a big challenge to the continent and the world as a whole, is at the same time, expanding the boundaries for new opportunities as promising as those that occurred in the past with the advent of printing. The 2011 edition of the World Press Freedom Day, under the theme " 21st Century Media: New Frontiers, New Challenges", is not going to be celebrated just as a simple commemoration of an anniversary, but as a very important event.

In view of the rapid changes in the world, my first reflex is to call for a bigger debate on what these innovations mean to Africa. What usage is made of this, what is the impact and what are the prospects? Contrary to what has been the usual practice, Africa has quickly become conversant with the multiple web applications of the planet. This can be testified to by the Cyber activism that propelled thousands of people in the streets of Tunis, leading to the rally that gathered several thousands of people who converged at the Tahrir Square, in Cairo.

The use of the Internet in areas that sometimes do not have access to basic services is another unequivocal evidence to show the vivacity of Africans to be part of the global village.

However, despite the promises and the progress made in many countries in favour of the emancipation of the media and freedom of the press, freedom of expression and the liberty to information still has some cloudy areas. Information is still considered as a symbol of intoxication and misinformation in many countries. After the Windhoek Declaration, the African Press has certainly gained some independence, but more still has to be done in order for the Press to play its rightful role in the African society

Since May 3, 1991, the questions we might want to ask are whether Africa has sufficiently funded the media sector to enable its actors be trained well, to ensure the credibility of Press organs and whether appropriate national laws have been established to guide the media landscape. My conclusion is that, twenty years after the Windhoek Declaration, Africa still needs to take concrete steps to empower its press and expand its scope for press freedom.



In this respect, I wish to emphasize that the African Union Commission has undertaken to make press freedom in the continent a tangible and irreversible reality; an undeniable right. We will continue on this path. We recognize the need to regulate the sector, however, we believe that the systems adopted should, in no way, be an obstacle to Press Freedom. We have also committed ourselves to continue the work we have started with respect to the protection of the journalists from undue intimidation and harassment, ensuring their safety, their physical and moral integrity while encouraging the practice of freedom of expression and free access to information as a fundamental right enshrined in Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. This is reaffirmed in the Declaration on Freedom of Expression adopted by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights at its 32nd Ordinary Session, held in October 2002 in Banjul, The Gambia.

It is very important that we do this for the good of all Africans, given that the benefits of a well-informed citizenry are enormous. But, this can only be achieved when we work hand in hand as one; including journalists, owners of media institutions, governments, development organizations, media practitioners, civil society organizations, intergovernmental organizations, United Nations and the international community, to guarantee the exercise of this inalienable right enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.


JAR {journalists for African Renaissance}

JAR wishes grate historic day for African Journalists who suffer to work

Today is a big day for many Journalists in this world who got opportunity to be respected,cherished,welcomed and considered their rights across continents, its world press freedom day {3-05- every year} while many are suffering in imprisonments, humiliations, torches from governments!. 

Journalists for African Renaissance {JAR} wishes all great aspects of freedom to African media who luck a lot their rights to exercise their freedom of expression, writing, transparency,and giving information,while African leaders still lucks experience and knowledge to consider their journalists to be free from corruption, and ignorance.Ms. Moha Farah jire who is the president of African Journalists for Renaissance {JAR} tried hard to colaborate with African head of states and discuss with them how they can be friendly and invest the media more then they invest traditional leaders who re impose the democratization process of Africa! though its yet a challenge says president Moha of JAR it seems African leaders are quite understanding and quite ready to upgrade Media as fourth power of government system.

! JAR wishes all well and promises to keep on close eye in its capacity to develop and sacrifice media to be invested  and developed....

Ivory Coast leader on first visit to the presidential palace

 (New African& JAR)

Ivory Coast's new leader Alassane Ouattara made his first visit Thursday to the presidential palace, exactly five months since his runoff election against the incumbent tipped the country into crisis.
Ouattara has been holed up in a hotel since the November 28 election which Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept he had lost. He was only eventually forced from power when he was captured at the end of a siege on April 11.
As he finally stepped foot in the palace in the country's main city of Abidjan, the new president said he would take oath of office next month in the official capital of Yamoussoukrou.
Ouattara is still trying to assert his authority in what remains a deeply divided country and his tour of the palace came a day after his forces killed a militia leader in Abidjan.
"It is clear that the palace still needs a lot of repair. We will ensure that, because we want to resume work as soon as possible," he told reporters.
"There is a lot of destruction which is regrettable. I saw looted offices and looted safes, a lot of regrettable things."
The presidential palace is in Abidjan's Plateau business district, the scene of the worst fighting between Ouattara's forces and pro-Gbagbo fighters earlier this month during the offensive to remove the defiant leader.
After taking refuge in an underground bunker in his residence, Gbagbo was finally captured by Ouattara's forces after the United Nations and French troops bombarded the building.
Gbagbo and his wife have since been placed under house arrest in different towns in the north of the country and the government this week said it had launched a probe against the toppled president and his associates.
Ouattara, 69, said he will officially take office next month.
"Our aim is to hold the swearing-in on May 21 in Yamoussoukrou. I have already called some African and foreign dignitaries requesting them to attend the occasion," said Ouattara.
"We will do everything necessary to ensure that the ceremony can go ahead on. That is what I wish and hope for it."
Ouattara is expected to continue to operate out of his hotel base for some time yet and he did not say when he planned to move to the presidential palace.
Since taking power, Ivory Coast's new authorities have been struggling to restore security, business and basic services disrupted during the months-long crisis.
Banks had been due to open their doors Thursday after being closed for several weeks. However by early afternoon, customers were still queueing in vain outside branches, worsening the woes of civil servants who have not been paid for two months. However some cash machines had been replenished.
Security has been restored in much of Abidjan, but diehard pro-Gbagbo fighters in the city's northwestern Yopougon neighbourhood have refused to disarm.
In their drive to secure the vast metropolis, government forces on Wednesday killed militia leader Ibrahim Coulibaly in the north of the city where he had been holed up with a pack of fighters.
Coulibaly, who at one stage fled Ivory Coast for plotting a coup against Gbagbgo, had sought an audience with Ouattara but had been told to disarm first.
He wanted acknowledgement from the government for the role played by his forces in driving out pro-Gbagbo militia from the northern Abobo district earlier this year.

Private jet of Madagascar's president deliberately damaged

JAR ANTANANARIVO (Xinhua) -- The private jet carrying Madagascar's Highest Transitional Authority (HAT) President Andry Rajoelina and members of his delegation to Zambia which was forced to land on Thursday due to technical problems could have been sabotaged, according to a statement from the HAT.
The HAT president, his wife, President of the Transitional Council Randrianantoandro Raharinaivo and Foreign Minister Yvette Sylla boarded the jet at the Ivato Air Base in the capital Antananarivo on Thursday afternoon.
However, after about 20 minutes of flight, the private jet developed some technical problems and could not fly at the required altitude, the statement said.
The plane was forced to return to Ivato airport. Immediately after landing, a thorough examination of the internal parts of the plane was carried out.
At this point, it was discovered that the toilets of this private jet had been used and the person just entered the plane before the president and his delegation got on board.
"This situation made the pilots and the investigators conclude that there was technical sabotage," the statement said.
One of the pilots who was quoted in this statement said, "The reactors of this private jet could have exploded in the air had the plane been forced to fly at the required altitude."
Judicial investigations have been launched to determine the real circumstances of this act of sabotage.
It was also pointed out that an international engineer was called in to help carry out a technical examination of this jet.
Rajoelina later used an Emirates plane and landed in Zambia without problems.
Rajoelina's journey to Zambia is to lobby the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) presidents before the community's summit scheduled for May 20 in Namibia.
The summit is meant to discuss the roadmap proposed by SADC envoy Leonardo Simao. The roadmap was signed by some Madagascan parties in March.
Recently, Rajoelina met with Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Mozambican President Armondo Emilio Guebuza.
The roadmap was rejected by Madagascar's ex-presidents Didier Ratsiraka, Albert Zafy and Marc Ravalomanana, saying it was not inclusive enough.
Rajoelina on his part has insisted that this roadmap, which was signed by many Madagascan political parties, should not be changed.

Darfur rebels reject draft Doha accord

Journalists for African Renaissance

The main Darfur rebel group involved in the Doha peace talks said Thursday it "totally rejected" the draft documents submitted by UN mediators, further undermining prospects of a Sudan accord.
"We received the documents from the mediators in Doha yesterday. But we are disappointed with them as they offer less than the Abuja agreement," the Justice and Equality Movement's spokesman Gibril Adam said.
He was referring to a peace accord signed by rebel leader Minni Minnawi in 2006.
Adam said the solutions the latest documents proposed to the problem of refugees, compensation for Darfuris affected by the eight-year conflict, power and wealth sharing, and the restoration of land taken by Arab tribes all fell short.
"For all these reasons, we have totally rejected these documents," Adam told AFP by telephone from Doha.
JEM, the most heavily armed of the Darfur rebel movements, has been participating alongside the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in the foundering peace talks with the Sudanese government in the Qatari capital.
Djibril Bassole, the outgoing UN and African Union mediator on Darfur, had been under pressure to submit draft texts acceptable to the three parties, with Khartoum signalling its growing frustration at the lack of progress.
The talks have effectively been in limbo since officials in Khartoum announced unilateral plans to hold a referendum on the administrative status of the war-torn region, now set to take place on July 1, according to the National Election Commission.
The vote, which would determine whether Darfur is granted regional status, which would give it a greater degree of autonomy, or remains as individual states, has been strongly criticised by the main rebel groups.
JEM accuses the government of being unwilling to reach a negotiated settlement, and criticised the draft documents on Thursday for failing to mention the region's administrative status.
Others argue that any referendum on how Darfur should be governed is impossible before peace has been established in the region.
Exiled rebel leader Abdelwahid Nur told AFP on Thursday that Antonov aircraft of the Sudanese armed forces had bombarded the Gorlang area of eastern Jebel Marra, Darfur's fertile central uplands.
He said three people were killed in Wednesday's attack and 17 wounded.
An army spokesman was not immediately available to comment on the allegations, which could not be independently verified.
Following a relative lull in the fighting in Darfur, renewed clashes between rebels and the army since December have resulted in more than 70,000 new arrivals at camps for the displaced, according to UN reports.
At least 300,000 people have been killed in Darfur and 1.8 million people fled their homes since the conflict broke out erupted in 2003 between non-Arab rebels and the Arab-dominated Khartoum regime, the United Nations says.
The government puts the death toll at 10,000