The Entrepreneur - Cameroon's Premier Economic & Business Journal

Cameroon raises minimum salary by 20 percent

By Tansa Musa

Cameroon's government raised the minimum guaranteed salary in the private sector by 20 percent on Wednesday, June 25, 2008, as part of efforts to cushion the impact of soaring food prices in central Africa's biggest economy. Dozens of people were killed in late February in Cameroon when anger over the cost of living helped trigger riots in which demonstrators took to the streets to protest against a move by President Paul Biya to extend his 25-year rule.

Morgan Tsvangirai: Political Career in Free Fall?

Jonathan Moyo Supports GNU, Lambasts Tsvangirai

By Loughty Dube

Former Information Minister and independent lawmaker, Jonathan Moyo, has come out in full support of a government of national unity (GNU) between President Robert Mugabe and opposition parties saying no conflict can be resolved through an election. Moyo, speaking at the Bulawayo Press Club, devoted the greater part of his presentation to lambasting MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai, calling him an incompetent leader and criticising him for pulling out of the presidential run-off. Moyo accused Tsvangirai of being handled by outside forces, adding that his withdrawal from the run-off was misguided. The political scientist became the first Mugabe opponent to criticise Tsvangirai’s withdrawal from the poll after civil society organisations and other political parties lauded the decision.

Robert Mugabe sworn in as president of Zimbabwe

By Ben Nakomo and Bright Lokenge

Africa's champion of democracy and liberation hero, Zimbabwe's ruler Robert Gabriel Mugabe has been sworn in as president on Sunday, June 29, 2008. He was declared the winner in Zimbabwe's presidential election. The 84-year-old veteran of the fight against white minority rule has been defiant since losing to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the first round of voting in March, accusing the Western countries that criticise his leadership of being responsible for Zimbabwe's woes. Mr Mugabe's once prosperous country has been ruined by sanctions and external hatred as he tampered with White interests in his country.

Mugabe Wins in Landslide in Zimbabwe's election

By Ernest Molua

Official results of Zimbabwe's presidential elections have just been released. The results released on Sunday, June 29, 2008, confirmed Robert Mugabe overwhelmingly won a new term as Zimbabwe president. Mr Mugabe won a total of 2,150,269 votes (about 85%) against 233,000 for opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who boycotted the election but whose name still appeared on ballot papers, and who even called on his supporters to vote at the last minute. The results mean Mugabe has, as expected, secured a sixth term as head of state in a country he wrestled for and gained independence from Britain in 1980.

AU intervention sought over Zimbabwean human rights?

OPINION

By Evelyn Kinang

Super-powers are behind the scenes  browbeating and twisting the arms of African leaders, as they meet in Egypt for the African Union summit, to do their bidding because of one thing only: white economic interests are at stake in Zimbabwe. Super-powers do not mind giving paper political independence as long as whoever does not temper with their interests. Back in the day, they used other Africans to effect military coup d'etat. Today, their favored pre-deal is to cause confusion among African leaders through selective incentives and aid.

African Union (AU) must rally behind Zimbabwe

By Edson T Sithole (Jnr ) and Tendai Hildegarde Ma

African foreign ministers met in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheik before an African Union heads of state summit that begins on Monday, June 30, 2008. According to international opinion, Zimbabwe is expected to be high on the continental body’s agenda. The AU meeting comes after the historic presidential run-off. It is also premised by comments made by President Mugabe during his address at his last campaign rally on Thursday when he told Zanu-PF supporters that no country in the world — including those in the AU and Sadc — can dictate how Zimbabwe should conduct its elections.

Double standards do not embarrass the West

By Joseph Ochieno

June has been an interesting month to me but I won’t delve into all.  But realising that I share a birthday with Mr Thabo Mbeki and birth month  with Mr Timothy Kalyegira was... But more seriously, I am half Mr Nelson  Mandela’s age. Described on the front page of The London Paper as “the man of the  moment”, Mr Mandela was in town for a series of celebrations making his  90th birthday on July 18th, exactly one month after Mbeki’s. On Wednesday, Mr Mandela had tea with Queen Elizabeth II, joined by his  third wife Gracia Machel, a survivor whose first husband Samora Machel was  blown up in an aircraft, by suspected apartheid South African  terrorists.

Zimbabwe: MDC Tsvangirai's Political Theatrics

Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change in Zimbabwe could be mistaken for a political actor rather than a shrewd politician that wants to lead one of sub-Sahara's most enlightened nations. Indeed, the man has been play-acting. His antics while keeping his audience spell-bound and in momentary suspense are however, easily predictable and sometimes clumsy. The Zimbabwean presidential hopeful has a deep-seated desire to have people second-guess his next moves and actions. He is also fond of doublespeak. It has all been political theatrics by Morgan.

Zimbabwe opposition left with few options after pullout: analysts

The Zimbabwe opposition's decision to boycott an election may have increased short-term pressure on President Robert Mugabe but leaves it with few options in the ballot's aftermath, say analysts. Western governnments such as the United States and ex-colonial power Britain branded Friday's run-off a sham after Mugabe pushed ahead with the ballot despite his rival Morgan Tsvangirai's decision to quit the violence-wracked contest. But while Tsvangirai's move may have helped shine an unflattering spotlight on the Mugabe regime, the UN's refusal to back a resolution condemning the vote as illegitimate has also highlighted the limits of diplomacy.

US Senate moves to lift Mandela's 'terror' label

The US Senate has approved a bill to remove former South African president Nelson Mandela and his African National Congress from the US terror watch list, lawmakers said Friday, June 27, 2008. "Today the United States moved closer at last to removing the great shame of dishonoring this great leader by including him on our government's terror watch list," said Senator John Kerry. The bill now heads to the White House, where it is expected to be signed by President George W. Bush in time for the anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner's 90th birthday on July 18.