Demand for national hero’s status for Savimbi

JOHANNESBURG — Angola’s main opposition Unita party is demanding that its late founder, Jonas Savimbi, be elevated to the status of national hero, and has accused the ruling MPLA of habitually denigrating him.

Unita president Isaias Samakuva told journalists over the weekend that Savimbi, who died in 2002 during clashes with government forces in the Lucusse region, was an unapologetic nationalist, the East African reported. Unita fought alongside apartheid South African soldiers during their raids into Angola in pursuit of Swapo insurgents supported by the MPLA, which in turn was backed by the former Soviet Union and Cuba. But Samakuva said Savimbi had always defended Angola’s unity, and had never betrayed the country nor allowed himself to be corrupted.

Fake ‘Kenyan president’ arrested

KENYA — Police in Kenya say they have busted a seven-man syndicate which allegedly impersonated president Uhuru Kenyatta and other government officials to defraud local business tycoon Naushad Merali of a huge sum of money. One of the men phoned Merali, the chairman of Sameer Africa, mimicking the president’s voice and persuading him to release money to facilitate business deals, local media quoted police as saying. The exact amount is unclear – the Daily Nation news site gave a figure of 10 million shillings (US$100 000; N$1,4 million) while The Star put the amount at 80 million shillings. The seven appeared in court yesterday, but have not yet been been charged. Police said they needed more time to carry out investigations.

Sudan’s Bashir bans unauthorised rallies

KHARTOUM — Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir on Monday banned unauthorised rallies as he announced a slew of new measures to end demonstrations that have rocked his rule for weeks. Bashir’s latest orders come as part of a nationwide state of emergency he imposed on Friday after a sweeping crackdown failed to suppress protests against his administration. “As part of a state of emergency declared by the president, he issued an order banning any gathering or rally that has not been authorised,” the presidency said in a statement. Bashir gave sweeping powers to the country’s security forces to raid buildings where “suspicious activities were being carried out” and also search people, the presidency said. Blocking roads and stopping traffic was also banned.

‘Ballot box’ to decide if Bouteflika gets 5th term

ALGIERS — Algeria’s prime minister on Monday insisted voters would determine if ailing president Abdelaziz Bouteflika gets a fifth term at the ballot box, after major protests against his candidacy. Tens of thousands of people on Friday took to the streets, including in the capital Algiers, where demonstrations are forbidden, to vent their ire at Bouteflika’s bid to extend his 20 years in power at elections in April. Presidential polls “will take place in less than two months, and everyone will make their choice freely”, prime minister Ahmed Ouyahia said in televised comments that were the first official reaction to the protests. “Everyone has the right to support their candidate and be against any other candidate, as the ballot box will decide in a peaceful and civilised way.” – Nampa-AFP-ANA-BBC News

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