The ASEA

Daily News & Resources

Africa Southeast Area

Friday 11 December 2015

Issue: 241 (First Issue on 6 November 2014) (80)

Johannesburg, South Africa aseapublicaffairs@ldschurch.org

Multiple African Countries or Other African Countries

Angola

Botswana

Burundi

Cameroon

CAR

Congo DR

Congo Rep

Ethiopia

Gabon

Kenya

Lesotho

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Reunion

Rwanda

Somalia

South Sudan

South Africa

Swaziland

Tanzania

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Executive Summary – Friday 11 December 2015 (Use Links at left and right to see more about the article below.)

(There are many other articles in the News today)

Church o Kinshasa temple groundbreaking announced. o Peter Hollins LDS Christmas video. o First Presidency Christmas Devotional o “A Savior is Born” video (share this Christmas Initiative) o December 1973: President Kimball rededicates South

Africa o Mormon Tabernacle Choir Redemption story o Alex Boye performs Africanized ‘Little Drummer Boy’

promotes Church initiative o Lindsey Stirling shares talents, testimony in new video

as part of ’12 Days of Social’ o Church issues religious freedom statement as Trump’s

Muslim controversy swirls

Medical News o Kenya-Religious sect members hides children to avoid

polio jab o Zimbabwe children still at great risk HIV/AIDS

Social Media o Snapchat outranks Instagram as fastest growing social

network o Zuckerberg to support Muslims on social network. o Uganda-Google’s free wi-fi

Misc. o Why African cultures need to let go of the bridewealth

custom (lobola).

Multiple countries o Chinese expansionism?

Botswana o Needs $123M more to cope with drought and power

shortages

Burundi o 7 killed Wednesday. o Human rights organisations bank accounts frozen in

Burundi.

Cameroon o US gives equipment to fight Boko Haram.

CAR o New unrest after ex-president barred from vote

Congo DR o More than 30 dead in flooding

Ethiopia o UN urges support to mitigate most devastating

drought in 30 years.

Kenya o Kenya bonds lose most in world ….who took the

money. o Stop corruption pictures in Kenya.

Mozambique o Dhlakama again threatens to take power

Rwanda o Leading genocide suspect arrested in DR Congo o Ready for Dec 18 vote on Kagame third term.

Somalia o Intel official killed by car bomb o A closer look at Al Shabab

South Africa o Zuma fires respected finance minister, Rand weakens

to record low. Several related articles

o Zwelithini to host ‘social cohesion’ summit.

South Sudan o Govt divided over rebel advance team visit o Sudan court chares 25 muslims with apostasy

Tanzani o President reappoints energy minister in new cabinet.

Zambia o Budget overspent by $1.4 B o Bribery on the rise as corruption wreaks havoc.

Zimbabwe o Mugabe party to be held in Victoria Falls o Media minister warns private media about anti

Mugabe stories.

Church

Info

Church Important

Dates

Interesting Stuff about

Africa

Medical

Social Media Internet

Miscellaneous

Info

Animal Conservation

Travel

Warnings

Church History

Books about Africa

Movies about

Africa

ASEA Newsroom

Sites

Facebook Pages

YouTube Channel

Other

Resources

Church Articles of Interest to Members of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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Groundbreakings for Kinshasa and Barranquilla Temples Set for Early 2016 SALT LAKE CITY — The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that temple groundbreakings will occur on two continents in February, in Africa and South America.

Ceremonies of turning over shovels of dirt to signal the beginning of construction will be held for the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple and the Barranquilla Colombia Temple. Both temples were announced at the Church’s October 2011 general conference. Attendance at these ceremonies is by invitation only, with the general public invited to view the proceedings live from

local meetinghouses. Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple The groundbreaking for the Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Temple is scheduled for Friday, February 12, 2016. Africa currently has three temples in operation — in Ghana, Johannesburg and Nigeria — and two others have been announced in the Ivory Coast and Durban, South Africa.

Peter Hollens releases a cappella rendition of 'Mary, Did You Know?' and promotes LDS Christmas video Singer Peter Hollens released an a cappella rendition of "Mary, Did You Know?" Wednesday after fans requested the arrangement. The video garnered more than 197,000 views in less than 24 hours. The video is part of "12 Days of Social," a campaign promoting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' "A Savior is Born" Christmas initiative.

Hollens concluded the video by thanking viewers and encouraging them to watch the church's Christmas video, "A Savior is Born." Last year, Peter Hollens joined The Piano Guys, David Archuleta, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and other YouTube stars to perform a rendition of "Angels We Have Heard on High" as part of the world's largest Nativity. Hollens noted that the experience was "just so lovely." Hollens has worked with several members of the LDS community, including Lindsey Stirling, Stuart Edge and the Gardiner Sisters.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

LDS Church releases 'A Savior is Born' Christmas video Some 700 years before Jesus Christ was born, the biblical prophet Isaiah wrote of the names by which he would be called: “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Isaiah later used the title “Saviour” as he prophesied of Jesus Christ’s coming.

“Of the many titles the scriptures give to the Lord Jesus Christ, perhaps none is more significant, more sacred, than that of ‘Savior,’” said Elder Brent H. Nielson, executive director of the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “It was at his birth in Bethlehem that the angels declared, ‘A Savior is born,’ and it was through his Atonement and Resurrection that he fulfilled that title.” In a video released Sunday by the LDS Church,

children repeat the "good tidings of great joy" associated with Jesus Christ's birth. …. The video, titled "A Savior is Born," can be found at christmas.mormon.org and will be available in 29 languages. A playable and downloadable version will also be available on the Gospel Library app in the 29 languages.

Alex Boye performs Africanized 'Little Drummer Boy' cover, promotes LDS Church initiative Singer Alex Boye and the LDS Genesis Group Gospel Choir performed an Africanized version of the classic Christmas carol "The Little Drummer Boy" in a video released Saturday.

The video is part of "12 Days of Social," a campaign promoting The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' "A Savior is Born" Christmas initiative. In the video, a family faces financial struggles. Shortly after moving from a house to a trailer, they receive donated gifts and Christmas decorations.

Church-Important Africa Dates R

Upcoming Church related Historical Events in the Africa Southeast Area. (taken from the resource section at the end of this Daily News)

South Africa December 1973: President Kimball rededicates South Africa.

Swaziland 21 February 1990: President Neal A. Maxwell dedicates Swaziland.

Lesotho 22 February 1990: President Neal A. Maxwell dedicates Lesotho.

If anyone has any additional historical events for the ASEA Area historical calendar …please email them to the address on page 1

Interesting Stuff about Africa & ASEA area R Found in the news stream.

Mauritius: what to see and do. A gem of an island with soft sand, coral reefs and luxury hotels Mauritius is situated east of Madagascar, and is truly the gem of the Indian Ocean. Its coastline is one of archetypal beauty – soft sand, and palm-tree line beaches protected by coral reefs which team with tropical fishes. Perhaps its biggest draw, however, is its people – the warm and friendly melting pot of Mauritian people – who will welcome you wherever you go.

Medical News Found in the news stream. R Kenya: Religious Sect Members Hide Children to Avoid Polio Jab Members of Kabonokia sect in Tharaka North sub-county hid their children in a bush to avoid polio vaccination. Health workers were forced to seek reinforcement from police officers to vaccinate children of the sect members in Gaciongo, Kabuabua, Mariango and Gatithini villages. The workers, led by Mr Njagi Murata, the sub-county health officer Njagi Murata and police officers spent the better part of the day running after the children in the bush. Zimbabwe children still at great risk of HIV/AIDS, new data shows BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Janet Dube knows the pain of raising a child born with HIV. Her four-year-old son is one of an estimated 170,000 children living with HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, and figures released by the country's statistics agency on Wednesday showed the virus is the leading cause of death among children under five. A Census Analysis Mortality Report from 1992-2012 revealed that despite progress in fighting the virus, HIV and AIDS had claimed the lives of thousands of Zimbabwean children under five.

Social Media/Internet/Tech R

Snapchat Outranks Instagram As Fastest-Growing Social Network For American Millennials: Harvard IOP Poll Google Photos update turns it into a social network No, Google didn't just turn Google Photos into Google+. Instead, they've updated the app to include Shared Albums, meaning you will be able to upload photos to an album that all of your contacts can see. Public sharing is slightly different, as is posting to Facebook. This update allows friends and family - whomever you've added - to access a unique folder in your library. Others can share folders of theirs with you, too. Once a user is added to an album and accepts the reality of their situation by clicking OK, they too will be able to add photos to said album. This will allow teams of photographers to share photos with their press affiliates. It'll allow parents to share photos with other parents. It'll let you share an album at a concert with a friend who is standing at the other side of the stage. Facebook boss promises to support Muslims on social network SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is offering words of support for Muslims who fear retaliation for the recent violent attacks by Islamic extremists in Paris and San Bernardino. In the wake of those attacks, Zuckerberg wrote on his personal Facebook page Wednesday that he wants to assure Muslims they are welcome on Facebook and that "we will fight to protect your rights and create a peaceful and safe environment for you." Uganda: Google's Free Public Wi-Fi to Make Internet More Accessible Kampala — Internet users will no longer be bothered by high costs of accessing internet, thanks to Google's campaign of introducing free public wi-fi network in Kampala. The company's push for faster, more reliable internet access in Uganda gathered pace after it launched its first wi-fi network in Kampala.

Last week, Google officials revealed that they were providing wireless network available at various spots in Kampala. In turn, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are expected to use this network to provide much faster and better quality internet to customers. Ms Ela Beres, the project lead on the Wi-Fi effort, told technology enthusiasts and ISP's last week that at least 120 locations in Kampala were linked to their network.

Misc. Found in the news stream. R

WHY AFRICAN CULTURES NEED TO LET GO OF THE BRIDEWEALTH CUSTOM As a Black girl growing up in Sub-Saharan Africa, I never questioned the merits of the long-standing bridewealth custom (locally referred to as lobola or roora). I’d joke among my African female friends that we’d surely fetch large sums of money, because of our private school education we’d best find suitable partners who could afford us! Lobola was simply just another fact of life and, dare I say, something that I looked forward to participating in one day. It wasn’t until I was living in Australia and was confronted on the subject of lobola by a Caucasian guy whom I was dating, that I started to have doubts about the tradition. “It just seems like buying a person,” he’d said. “No, you misunderstand the culture,” I smugly replied. “Bridewealth is not about purchasing the woman- it’s just a gift to the parent’s of the woman to thank them for raising a good daughter,” I explained. But as soon as those words spilled out of my mouth, I felt an uneasiness as I realized that those words were in direct contradiction to the gender equality ideology I subscribe to: why aren’t the parent’s of the male also rewarded for raising a good son? This question prompted me to rethink the lobola tradition that once seemed so logical and so normal to me, and to rediscover its intended purpose and meaning. …. ….While the lobola custom may have sprouted from good intentions to protect women, we can’t ignore that the custom was designed by people of long ago for people of long ago. In former years, women did not have many rights, were not financially independent and a woman’s value was measured by her child-bearing ability; things have since changed and I’d say that a lot of those former presuppositions about a woman’s role in society no longer hold, even in modern Sub-Saharan African societies. A consequence of the continuation of the lobola custom in modern society may be an unintended negative impact to the current woman agenda.

Animal Conservation and related articles R

Terms that you may find in the news ANC-African National Congress. The African National Congress (ANC) is the Republic of South Africa's governing social democratic political party. It has been the ruling party of post-apartheid South Africa on the national level since 1994, including the election of Nelson Mandela as president from 1994-1999. BPC-Botswana Power Corporation CAR-Central African Republic DA-Democratic Allicance (South Africa). The Democratic Alliance (DA) is a South African political party and the official opposition to the governing African National Congress (ANC). ESKOM-South African Electricity Public Utility IDP-Internally Displaced Persons SADA-the Southern African Development Community Seleka-An alliance of rebel militia factions that overthrew the Central African Republic on March 24, 2013. UN-United Nations UNHCR-United Nationsl High Commissioner for Refugees USAID-United States Agency for International Development. Zanu-PF-The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front. The ruling party in in Zimbabwe since indepencence in 1980.

Multiple African Countries (noted in article) or other African Countries

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The China-Africa Summit: Chinese Expansionism? (this article is worth reading-rb)

Angola R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 64% / 26% Population: 22,490,548

Penetration of population w/ internet 26% Labor Force: 9,298,000

GDP per capita USD$ 8,100 Life Expectancy: 52

Unemployment / year est. 26% / 2014 Church Members: 1,436

Population below poverty line: 40.5% Congregations: 8

Botswana R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 164% / 26% Population: 2,134,458

Penetration of population w/ internet 18.5% Labor Force: 1,017,000

GDP per capita USD$ 16,000/2014 Life Expectancy: 47

Unemployment / year est. 17.8% / 2009 Church Members: 3,104

Population below poverty line: 30.3% Congregations: 12

Botswana needs $123m more to cope with drought, power shortages Botswana's Finance Ministry has presented a supplementary budget to parliament, saying it needed an additional 1.34-billion pula ($123.28-million) for the 2015/16 financial year to fund measures to mitigate against water and power shortages. The bulk of the money - 821-million pula - will be allocated to the state power utility to fund electricity imports and coal purchases, according to the supplementary budget estimates put before lawmakers on Tuesday. A total of 192 million pula will be provided to the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) to replace leaking pipes, which have been blamed for shortages in financial hub and capital Gaborone.

Burundi R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 25% / 2% Population: 11,209,812

Penetration of population w/ internet 4.9% Labor Force: 4,806,000

GDP per capita USD$ 900 Life Expectancy: 54

Unemployment / year est. 35% / 2009 Church Members: 526

Population below poverty line: 68% Congregations: 3

Burundi unrest: 7 killed; 5 bodies lay on roadside BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — Seven more people were killed in Burundi's capital in violence associated with turmoil over President Pierre Nkurunziza's extension of his term in office, witnesses said Wednesday.

The international community has warned that the central African country could slide into chaos if the killings continue. The U.N. says at least 240 people have been killed since April when Nkurunziza's candidacy was announced. Men in police uniforms pulled five people from their houses in Cibitoke neighborhood and shot them dead Wednesday morning, resident Salima Bukuru said. Their bodies were left on the roadside, she said. "That one works for a company which processes soap. He had just returned home from the night shift when they came for him. They beat him as they pulled him out of the house," Bukuru said pointing at a body among the group of five bloody corpses on the side of the street in Cibitoke. Burundi: Several human rights organisations' bank accounts frozen On 7 December 2015 a document issued jointly by the Ministry of Justice and the General Prosecutor's Office of Burundi informed a number of human rights organisations and civil society groups that their bank accounts were frozen and private bank information was disclosed to the government. The targetted organisations includ: Radio Publique Africaine – RPA (African Public Radio), Ligue Burundaise des Droits de L'Homme – ITEKA (Burundian League for Human Rights), Syndicat des Travailleurs de l'Enseignement du Burundi – STEB (Education Workers Union of Burundi) and l’Association pour la Recherche sur l’Environnement, la Démocratie et les Droits de l’Homme au Burundi – AREDDHO (Association for Research on Environment, Democracy and Human Rights in Burundi). All organisations work on various issues concerning human rights. RPA is a private radio station of Burundi known for reporting killings, massacres and other human rights violations in Burundi. ITEKA works on the promotion and defence of human rights through monitoring and denouncing human rights violations and advocating for new laws and strategies to address human rights violations. STEB is a trade union of teachers formed to protect and further their rights in accordance with labour law. And lastly, AREDDHO concentrates on human rights research, environmental issues and democracy.

Cameroon R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 71% / -% Population: 23,516,740

Penetration of population w/ internet

11% Labor Force: 9,105,000

GDP per capita USD$ 3,000 Life Expectancy: 55

Unemployment / year est. 30% / 2001 Church Members: 1,498

Population below poverty line: 48% / 2000 Congregations: 7

US Gives Equipment to Cameroon for Boko Haram Fight YAOUNDE, CAMEROON—The United States has offered tactical war equipment to support Cameroon in its fight against Boko Haram. The equipment was received late Wednesday, two months after the United States deployed troops to Cameroon to help the central African nation fight the Islamist militant group. Michael Hoza, United States ambassador to Cameroon, said the tactical war equipment, high technology combat vehicles and high power generators are a gift from the American people to help Cameroon crush the terrorist group Boko Haram. "They provide water, electricity, maneuverability etc. They follow the delivery of armored vehicles that actually engage in combat with the enemy, but it is just equipment," Hoza said.

Central African

Republic (CAR) R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 33% / 1% Population: 4,908,506

Penetration of population w/ internet 4% Labor Force: 2,217,000

GDP per capita USD$ 600 Life Expectancy: 50

Unemployment / year est. 8% / 2001 Church Members: 216

Population below poverty line: na Congregations: 1

New unrest in CAR after ex-president barred from vote Bangui - Gunfire erupted on Tuesday in the Central African Republic's capital Bangui, where protesters erected barricades after an announcement that ex-president Francois Bozize was barred from running for election. A French embassy text message sent to citizens said there were "barricades and gunfire" in several districts and advised French citizens "to avoid these areas". Calm returned to the capital after nightfall, security sources said. "Gendarmes and police intervened with the support of Senegalese troops from [UN peacekeeping force] Minusca" a Minusca source said. "They were able to raise the barricades and reestablish order." The unrest followed the Constitutional Court's rejection of the exiled Bozize's bid to run for president in December 27 elections. Hopes are high that the presidential and parliamentary polls will signal CAR's return to normalcy after two years of sectarian violence between Christian and Muslim fighters that began after Bozize was overthrown in March 2013 by a mainly Muslim rebel alliance.

Congo Rep. R (Brazzaville)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 100% / 7% Population: 4,825,168

Penetration of population w/ internet 7.1% Labor Force: 2,890,000

GDP per capita USD$ 6,600 Life Expectancy: 59

Unemployment / year est. 53% / 2012 Church Members: 6,053

Population below poverty line: 46.5% / 2011 Congregations: 17

Congo DR R (Kinshasa)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 59% / 8% Population: 72,511,886

Penetration of population w/ internet 3.0% Labor Force: 27,590,000

GDP per capita USD$ 700 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 50

Unemployment / year est. 46% / 2009 Church Members: 42,689

Population below poverty line: 63% Congregations: 145

More than 30 dead in floods in Democratic Republic of Congo KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- At least 31 people have died after three weeks of heavy rain have caused floods in the Democratic Republic of Congo city of Kinshasa. The DRC's capital endures a long rainy season each year, but with likely help from El Nino, Kinshasa has been hit with almost 18 inches of rain since Nov. 17, amounting to about a third of the annual rainfall. The city of 11 million people -- third largest in Africa after Lagos, Nigeria and Cairo, Egypt -- sits on the southern bank of the Congo River, where the areas at the river's edge have been affected the worst.

Kinshasa's wet season stretches from October to May, but because of the El Nino system, the wet season will be excessive and more flooding is likely. The El Nino also means much of southern Africa will probably suffer drought.

Ethiopia R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 26% / 49% Population: 103,392,064

Penetration of population w/ internet 2.9% Labor Force: 47,320,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,500 Life Expectancy: 64

Unemployment / year est. 17.5% / 2012 Church Members: 1,854

Population below poverty line: 39% / 2012 Congregations: 64

Ethiopia: UN Urges Support to Mitigate Most Devastating Drought in 30 Years The United Nations today stepped up its efforts to mitigate the effects of the worst drought to strike Ethiopia in 30 years, with an appeal from the heads of four UN humanitarian bodies for massive international funding now to pre-empt the high risk of death and large scale suffering later. "We know this is coming. We know how to prevent it. We simply have to act, now," they wrote in an opinion article for the Huffington Post. "So far, donors have provided an additional $200 million in aid, but there are early indications that the amount needed to make sure lives are not lost could be around $1 billion. Ethiopia needs that money now, if we are to avert a second tragedy in 30 years," they added, referring to the catastrophic drought that killed hundreds of thousands from 1983 to 1985.

Gabon R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 175% / -% Population: 1,761,297

Penetration of population w/ internet 39.3% Labor Force: 636,000

GDP per capita USD$ 21,600 Life Expectancy: 63

Unemployment / year est. 21% / 2006 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: na Congregations:

Kenya R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 83% / 67% Population: 47,384,458

Penetration of population w/ internet 63.6% Labor Force: 17,700,000

GDP per capita USD$ 3,100 Life Expectancy: 62

Unemployment / year est. 40% / 2008 Church Members: 12,471

Population below poverty line: 43,4 / 2012 Congregations: 62

Who-Took-the-Money Spat Roils Kenya as Bonds Lose Most in World Kenya is starting to count the cost of a dispute over what happened to the proceeds of the nation’s $2.75 billion Eurobond sale last year. The African nation’s dollar securities have lost investors more money than the debt of any other emerging market since the end of October, when the finance ministry first responded to opposition leader Raila Odinga’s allegation that more than 140 billion shillings ($1.4 billion) has gone missing. The government says the former prime minister’s Coalition for Reforms and Democracy, known as CORD, is misreading the Treasury’s accounts and all the money is accounted for. "Stop Corruption" Protest In Kenya Kenya: Religious Sect Members Hide Children to Avoid Polio Jab Members of Kabonokia sect in Tharaka North sub-county hid their children in a bush to avoid polio vaccination. Health workers were forced to seek reinforcement from police officers to vaccinate children of the sect members in Gaciongo, Kabuabua, Mariango and Gatithini villages. The workers, led by Mr Njagi Murata, the sub-county health officer Njagi Murata and police officers spent the better part of the day running after the children in the bush.

Lesotho R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 95% / 24% Population: 2,078,067

Penetration of population w/ internet 11% Labor Force: 894,400

GDP per capita USD$ 2,900 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 49

Unemployment / year est. 25% / 2008 Church Members: 867

Population below poverty line: 49 / 1999 Congregations: 2

Madagascar R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 40% / ? Population: 24,927,036

Penetration of population w/ internet 3.7% Labor Force: 12,150,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,400 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 65

Unemployment / year est. 3.6% / 2013 Church Members: 10,322

Population below poverty line: 50% Congregations: 38

Malawi R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 37% / 10% Population: 17,650,264

Penetration of population w/ internet 6.1% Labor Force: 5,747,000

GDP per capita USD$ 800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 55

Unemployment / year est. 6.6% / 2013 Church Members: 1,931

Population below poverty line: 53% / 2004 Congregations: 8

Mauritius R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 128% / 40% Population: 1,328,229

Penetration of population w/ internet 60.0% Labor Force: 600,200

GDP per capita USD$ 17,900 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 74

Unemployment / year est. 8.3% / 2013 Church Members: 458

Population below poverty line: 8% / 2006 Congregations: 2

Mozambique R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 58% / 22% Population: 27,641,379

Penetration of population w/ internet 5.9% Labor Force: 12,250,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,100 Life Expectancy: 50

Unemployment / year est. 17% / 2007 Church Members: 7,943

Population below poverty line: 52% / 2009 Congregations: 26

Dhlakama again threatens to take power Maputo, 9 Dec (AIM) – Afonso Dhlakama, leader of Mozambique’s main opposition party, the former rebel movement Renamo, has threatened to take power in the northern and central provinces next year. According to the latest issue of the weekly “Magazine Independente” (MI), Dhlakama made this threat at a meeting with young supporters somewhere in the central province of Sofala, on 30 November.

MI obtained a recording of Dhlakama’s speech, which lasted for seven minutes and 37 seconds. The paper’s director. Lourenco Jossias, assured AIM on Wednesday that the tape is genuine and that he recognized Dhlakama’s voice. Dhlakama had not been seen in public since 9 October, when he consented to the police disarming his bodyguards at his house in Beira, He told his audience that he is in good health and claimed that he had only been silent for the past two months because he was preparing strategies “to oblige the Frelimo regime to fall once and for all”.

Namibia R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 137% / 32% Population: 2,336,522

Penetration of population w/ internet 15.7% Labor Force: 1,168,000

GDP per capita USD$ 10,800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 6

Unemployment / year est. 27.4% / 2012 Church Members: 793

Population below poverty line: 28.7% / 2010 Congregations: 2

Reunion Island R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 105% / 48% Population: 876,835

Penetration of population w/ internet 34.6 Labor Force:

GDP per capita USD$

Life Expectancy:

Unemployment / year est. 40% / ? Church Members:

Population below poverty line: Congregations:

Rwanda R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 61% / 28% Population: 12,540,798

Penetration of population w/ internet 25.4% Labor Force: 6,061,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,700 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 64

Unemployment / year est. 3.4% / 2012 Church Members: 281

Population below poverty line: 44.9 / 2011 Congregations: 3

Leading Rwandan genocide suspect arrested in DR Congo One of nine top fugitive Rwandan genocide suspects, a former mayor accused of slaughtering thousands of people and organising mass rapes in 1994, has been arrested, the United Nations said. Ladislas Ntaganzwa, who had a $5 million (4.6 million euro) US bounty on his head and has been indicted by a UN-backed court for genocide and crimes against humanity, was captured in Democratic Republic of Congo. Around 800,000 people -- mostly members of the minority Tutsi community -- were slaughtered in the 100-day orgy of violence in 1994, largely by ethnic Hutus. Rwanda ready for December 18 vote on Kagame third term Kigali (AFP) - Rwanda's election commission said Thursday it was ready to hold a referendum next week on a constitutional amendment that could see veteran leader Paul Kagame rule until 2034. Kagame has run Rwanda since his ethnic Tutsi rebel Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) army ended a 1994 genocide by extremists from the Hutu majority, in which an estimated 800,000 people were massacred, the vast majority of them Tutsis. The proposed constitutional amendment would allow Kagame to run for an exceptional third seven-year term in 2017, after which he would also be eligible to run for two further five-year terms under the new rules.

Somalia R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 50% / 2% Population: 10,742,489

Penetration of population w/ internet 1.5% Labor Force: 3,011,000

GDP per capita USD$ 600 / 2010 Life Expectancy: 55

Unemployment / year est. 25.4% / 2012 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: na Congregations:

Somalia: Somali Intelligence Official Killed By Car Bomb Explosion in Mogadishu A senior Somali intelligence official was killed on Thursday died after a bomb believed to have been attached to his car was remotely detonated, police and witnesses said. The officer who was identified as Abdullahi Mohamed Gardhub has been hurt in the bombing, but he later succumbed to his wounds sustained in the IED fitted under his car's seat which exploded near Waberi district police station on Thursday noon. The slain officer was member of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), according to Mohamed Dahir Abdulle, a senior police detective who spoke to Radio Shabelle after the incident . No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but Al shabaab has been known for targeting the Govt officials in car bombs and gun attacks in the capital, Mogadishu. A closer look at Somalia’s al-Shabab terror group One man from the United States who joined the Somali terror militia group al-Shabab over seven years ago has handed himself over to authorities in Somalia. A second man, also from the US, has defected from the group. Deutsche Welle, Germany’s state run international broadcaster, spoke to Laura Hammond from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, to ask about the significance of the defections. “I think there is some kind of rift which is not necessarily new. There’s the rift between those who would like to see more of a link to al-Qaeda, to the wider, transnational networks, and on the other side there are those who are focused on the struggle within Somalia and are less concerned about an international jihad. That’s one rift and then there is another one apparently between those who would like to have an alliance with al-Qaeda and those who would like to have an alliance with IS more broadly.” ….

South Africa R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 154% / 35% Population: 51,621,506

Penetration of population w/ internet 49% Labor Force: 20,230,000

GDP per capita USD$ 12,700 Life Expectancy: 57

Unemployment / year est. 24.9% / 2013 Church Members: 61,221

Population below poverty line: 31.3% Congregations: 159

South African currency weakens to a record low after finance minister is fired JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The abrupt firing of South Africa's finance minister created uncertainty about Africa's second-largest economy Thursday as its currency plunged to an all-time low.

The rand hovered around 15 to the dollar Thursday, after the Johannesburg Stock Exchange had closed on 14.59 the day before, according to online business site, Moneyweb. Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene was replaced after serving for less than two years by David van Rooyen, a former mayor and member of parliament who has served on financial committees. President Jacob Zuma made the announcement late Wednesday but gave no explanation for Nene's removal. Van Rooyen was sworn in Thursday during a brief ceremony in the capital, Pretoria. The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, called Zuma's decision "reckless and irrational," saying Nene was fired because he opposed "excessive spending" on a proposed deal with international energy companies to build nuclear power stations and on new aircraft purchases for South Africa's struggling national airline. South Africa's economic outlook has become increasingly uncertain. The country narrowly avoided recession in the last quarter, managing less than 1 percent growth, according to Statistics South Africa, a government agency. Jacob Zuma is taking South Africa’s economy from bad to worse (Excellent article-rb) Sprinting towards a bail-out A respected finance minister is fired, just when his restraint is most needed THE warning shot across South Africa’s bows could not have been clearer. Its response could not have been more foolish. On December 4th Fitch, a rating agency, cut its assessment of South African public debt to just one notch above “junk” (financial jargon for bonds that are deemed risky and so must offer a higher interest rate than “investment-grade” debt). Standard & Poor’s, another agency, implied it was likely to downgrade the country’s rating to junk. Both cited concerns about South Africa’s slow rate of economic growth and its spiralling public debt. Instead of heeding the warning, President Jacob Zuma compounded the damage by firing Nhlanhla Nene, his respected finance minister, on December 9th. (He said he was moving him to “another strategic position”.) Mr Nene had earned the trust of investors (and the irritation of other ministers) by consistently trying to hold the government to its pledge to limit increases in state spending. He was replaced by David van Rooyen, a backbencher so obscure that one member of the shadow cabinet confessed he had to search for him on Google after the appointment to find out who he was. The rand fell sharply against the dollar, having already slumped to a record low earlier in the week. …. Nene's axing a victory for ANC's 'tenderpreneur' faction Jacob Zuma's decision to remove Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister was not due to his incompetence but rather disagreements on nuclear and the SAA. Finance Minister Nene was this evening, in our [Nomura’s] view, removed from his post by President Jacob Zuma on disagreements over nuclear affordability and shareholder oversight of SAA. He is replaced by David van Rooyen. We view this as a serious erosion of the institution of the national treasury that accelerates the credit and ratings negative story. Previous assumptions around contingent liability risks and shareholder oversight of parastatals as well as fiscal consolidation in the medium run must now be re-examined. As such, we view this as profoundly negative. Over the past 10 years, the national treasury has slowly seen the political space in which it operates contract. This has happened with the change in ministers from Trevor Manuel to Pravin Gordhan and then Nhlanhla Nene, and especially on wider microeconomic policy issues. Core fiscal issues, however, have retained investor confidence and the treasury has (until now) always had the ability to undertake (sympathetic) fiscal conservatism. King Goodwill Zwelithini to host 'social cohesion summit Durban – King Goodwill Zwelithini announced on Thursday that he would be hosting a social cohesion summit in January. The king was speaking at an exclusive sod-turning ceremony where businessman Vivian Reddy’s Edison Corporation and Rob Alexander of Ducatus Property Group unveiled a R3bn mixed-use development. The ceremony was held at the Beverly Hills in Umhlanga. Zwelithini, who delivered the main address, said: "Recently there has been much debate about the lack of social cohesion in our communities... I have announced a summit for all communities, political parties, business and religious organisations to transparently discuss this issue and find solutions so that all of us can live in a society free of conflict."

South Sudan R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration

28% / 12% Population: 11,749,434

Penetration of population w/ internet 15.9 Labor Force:

GDP per capita USD$ 2,000 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 62

Unemployment / year est. 12% / 2008 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: 50.6% / 2009 Congregations:

Exclusive: South Sudan’s government divided over rebel advance team visit A government source who talked exclusively to the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) has told the SSNA on Wednesday that South Sudanese government’s position on the IGAD-Plus’s compromise peace agreement is not cohesive and that an elaborate strategy to disrupt the armed opposition’s plan to send its advance team to Juba to begin the implementation of the power-sharing deal is simply a daunting task; adding that the issue has already caused problems for the government. The source, a high-ranking government official, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the case and for fear of reprisal, revealed to the SSNA that deep division and power struggle among senior members of Salva kiir’s inner circle has created a serious issue, splitting “the once solid political block” into small sections 'hostile to each other’. Sudan court charges 25 Muslims with apostasy: judge Khartoum (AFP) - A Sudanese judge charged 25 Muslims with apostasy Thursday after hearing the investigators' case against them that could carry the death penalty if they are convicted. The men are accused of taking the Koran as the sole source of religious legitimacy and rejecting other Islamic texts. They allegedly belong to a group that adheres strictly to the Koran and rejects the authority of the sunnah, traditions attributed to Prophet Mohammed. Both Sunni and Shiite Muslims rely on the sunnah as a source of Islamic law.

Judge Abdallah Abdelbagi said they would be charged for "holding ideas contrary to Islamic beliefs and speaking out about them in public places". "You have contravened... Article 126 of Sudanese criminal law, under which you will be tried before this court," he added. Under Islamic sharia laws in place in Sudan since 1983, the group could be sentenced to death if found guilty on Article 126, which deals with apostasy.

Swaziland R Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 70% / 11% Population: 1,280,595

Penetration of population w/ internet 27.1% Labor Force: 435,000

GDP per capita USD$ 7,800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 49

Unemployment / year est. 28.5% / 2010 Church Members: 1,768

Population below poverty line: 69% Congregations: 4

Tanzania R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 62% / 24% Population: 50,998,619

Penetration of population w/ internet 15% Labor Force: 25,000,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,900 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 61

Unemployment / year est. 10.7% / 2011 Church Members: 1,336

Population below poverty line: 36% / 2002 Congregations: 6

Tanzania's president reappoints energy minister in new cabinet DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania's president picked a new cabinet on Thursday, including one former minister who resigned from the previous government over a graft scandal at the energy ministry. The east African nation is hoping to start large-scale production of natural gas within a decade, but foreign investors have long complained of graft in its energy sector. President John Magufuli deferred the appointment of four cabinet positions, including that of the finance minister, and did not say when he would fill them, insisting there was "no need to rush."

Uganda R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 64% / 11% Population: 40,777,196

Penetration of population w/ internet 23% Labor Force: 18,000,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,800 Life Expectancy: 59

Unemployment / year est. 4.2% / 2010 Church Members: 13,248

Population below poverty line: 25.5% Congregations: 26

Uganda nurse suspended for complaining to Besigye on TV A senior Ugandan nurse has been suspended after being caught on camera complaining to a presidential candidate about poor facilities at her hospital. Adong Santina walked opposition candidate Kizza Besigye around the hospital in a remote area on Saturday. Government official Moses Kaziba Nandhala informed her that she would be disciplined for divulging "unauthorised information", a leaked letter shows. In April, Mr Nandhala failed to account for money allocated for health. The records had been eaten by termites, he said, when appearing before the parliamentary accounts committee to explain what happened to about $250,000 (£165,000) meant for health in Abim district in the north-eastern Karamoja region. Uganda: Google's Free Public Wi-Fi to Make Internet More Accessible Kampala — Internet users will no longer be bothered by high costs of accessing internet, thanks to Google's campaign of introducing free public wi-fi network in Kampala. The company's push for faster, more reliable internet access in Uganda gathered pace after it launched its first wi-fi network in Kampala. Last week, Google officials revealed that they were providing wireless network available at various spots in Kampala. In turn, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are expected to use this network to provide much faster and better quality internet to customers. Ms Ela Beres, the project lead on the Wi-Fi effort, told technology enthusiasts and ISP's last week that at least 120 locations in Kampala were linked to their network. Uganda: How Weak Shilling Is Pushing Landlords to Demand Payment in Dollars

Zambia R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 73% / 10% Population: 15,549,296

Penetration of population w/ internet 18% Labor Force: 6,338,000

GDP per capita USD$ 4,100 Life Expectancy: 58

Unemployment / year est. 15% / 2008 Church Members: 3,359

Population below poverty line: 60.5% Congregations:

Zambia overspent 2015 budget plan by $1.4 bln: Finance minister LUSAKA: Zambia overspent its 2015 budget plan by 14.9 billion kwacha ($1.4 billion) due to emergency electricity purchases, increased costs of importing fuel and a sharp depreciation of the kwacha, its finance minister said on Wednesday. Zambia is facing its toughest economic challenge in a decade as weak commodity prices, electricity shortages and an economic slowdown in China hit growth in Africa's second-largest copper producer, the World Bank said on Wednesday. The kwacha has fallen over 40 percent against the dollar in 2015, according to Thomson Reuters data. "The depreciation of the kwacha against major currencies meant that the government had to spend more than the budgeted amount on items such as debt service," Alexander Chikwanda told lawmakers. Zambia: Bribery on the rise as corruption wreaks havoc LUSAKA, Zambia – Increasing corruption is wreaking havoc on the Zambian economy, as the payment of bribes has reached the level of 78 percent in 2014, according to research by Transparency International. The 2014 Bribery Payers Index, compiled by the Anti-Corruption Commission with research by Transparency International, showed that demands for bribes increased by 6.7 percent in 2014 compared with 4.7 percent in 2012. The index showed that the level of bribery payment increased to 78.3 percent last year compared with 48.3 percent in 2012. The index also showed that the prevalence of bribery worsened in 2014, with 57.1 percent of respondents surveyed paying bribes to public officials for a service compared with 44.6 percent in 2012.

Zimbabwe R

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 102% / 98% Population: 15,762,551

Penetration of population w/ internet 47% Labor Force: 5,0 63,000

GDP per capita USD$ 2,000 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 60

Unemployment / year est. 95% / 2009 Church Members: 26,156

Population below poverty line: 68% / 2004 Congregations: 64

Mugabe's party opts for posh Victoria Falls... again Harare - If tourists love Victoria Falls, so apparently does president Robert Mugabe's ruling party. Thousands of delegates from Zanu-PF were Thursday making the long hot journey to the resort town where Mugabe was due to officially open a key conference on Friday. It was the second time Zanu-PF has held a major gathering in Victoria Falls this year after Mugabe's 91st party in February. The town is an 11-hour drive (or nearly) from the Zimbabwean capital Harare over a road eyewitnesses said on Thursday was already "bleeding" in parts from the heat. Buses from the state-owned ZUPCO company would reportedly ferry the delegates on their journey, though top officials - including Mugabe and his wife Grace - would arrive by air. A new international terminal would be officially opened at the Victoria Falls airport this weekend. Like Mugabe's birthday party, the conference would be held on the golf course of the plush Elephant Hills resort, a favourite with tourists and international conference organisers. Zimbabwe: Minister Warns 'Bad' Private Media for Anti-Mugabe Stories INFORMATION Minister Chris Mushohwe has warned the "bad" private media for alleged fixation with the first family while ignoring what he described as bread and butter issues affecting the country. Addressing a media briefing at his Munhumutapa office Wednesday, Mushohwe urged newspaper owners to reign in their "errant" journalists he said were blind to the business side of newspapers which was averse to negative reportage. The Zanu PF top official also said continuously negative reportage around the country and its leadership interfered with the country's investment profile. "A bad press, is simply bad, it is not good for the country, it is not good for government, and it is bad for business," Mushohwe said. Grace Mugabe Death toll Rises to 11 People Killed The death toll from First Lady Grace Mugabe’s rallies in right weeks has risen to (11) eleven people. The unreported figure comes as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), and the State Media suppressed the publishing of the shocking statistics. Sources told ZimEye.com this week there was a deadly stampede at Grace’s rally in Mberengwa that left an additional five people dead while (50) others were left severely injured. That number is in addition to (6) six other fatalities, (3) three at Chimanimani on the 8th October, and an additional 3) three at Gutu, Masvingo on Friday last week. In the Gutu case, police officers were seen in public ordering people to ensure no public or media report was made.” The people were just given village burials and they were as a consequence all secret burials and no single post mortem was carried out”, a source told ZimEye.com. Zimbabwe children still at great risk of HIV/AIDS, new data shows BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Janet Dube knows the pain of raising a child born with HIV. Her four-year-old son is one of an estimated 170,000 children living with HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe, and figures released by the country's statistics agency on Wednesday showed the virus is the leading cause of death among children under five. A Census Analysis Mortality Report from 1992-2012 revealed that despite progress in fighting the virus, HIV and AIDS had claimed the lives of thousands of Zimbabwean children under five.

United States R Data Provided for comparison

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 102% / 85% Population: 324,343,287

Penetration of population w/ internet 90% Labor Force: 156,000,000

GDP per capita USD$ 54,800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 79

Unemployment / year est. 5.5% / 2015 Church Members: 6,466,267

Population below poverty line: 15.1% / 2010 14,018 Congregations

Travel Advisories/Warnings R Democratic Republic of the Congo Travel Warning Saturday, December 05, 2015 :: Staff infoZine The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (a.k.a. DRC or Congo-Kinshasa). Washington DC - infoZine - U.S. citizens should avoid all but essential travel to the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, the provinces of Bas-Uele, Haut-Uele and Ituriz (northeastern part of the former Oriental Province) and particularly the new provinces of Tanganyika and Haut-Lomami (northeastern and central parts of the former province of Katanga), where instability and sporadic violence continues. Very poor transportation infrastructure throughout the country and poor security conditions in eastern DRC make it difficult for the U.S. Embassy to provide consular services anywhere outside of Kinshasa. U.S. embassy warns of possible 'terrorism' attacks in Nigeria 4 Dec 2015 The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria said on Friday it had received information that groups "associated with terrorism" may be planning attacks against hotels in the country that are frequented by Westerners. In a brief message for U.S. citizens, the embassy said it had no further information regarding the timing or method of any planned attacks. "The U.S. Mission advises all U.S. citizens to be vigilant when at hotels and around areas frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers ... locations where large crowds may gather; and government facilities," the statement said.

Last month, 20 people, including one American, were killed in an attack on a luxury hotel in Bamako, Mali, claimed by two Islamist groups.

US issues global travel alert due to 'increased terrorist threats' 24 November 2015 The United States issued a worldwide travel alert on Monday warning American citizens of "increased terrorist threats" in the wake of the Paris attacks. "Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Daesh), Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions," said the State Department advisory, which cited recent attacks in Denmark, France, Mali, Nigeria and Turkey. "US citizens should exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation," it said, advising Americans to avoid large crowds or crowded places and to "exercise particular caution during the holiday season."

Brussels on Lockdown in Fear of Paris-Style Attacks (23 November 2015) BRUSSELS: Brussels was on terror lockdown Saturday in fear of a Paris-style attack, with a gunman wanted over the deadly rampage in the French capital a week ago still on the run. The Belgian capital closed its metro system and shuttered shops and public buildings as a terror alert was raised to its highest level over reports of an "imminent threat" of a gun and bomb attack similar to the horror seen in Paris.

US Issues Travel Warning to Italy (20 November 2015) U.S. authorities have warned of potential militant attacks in Italy, whose security services are looking for five possible suspects, Italy's foreign minister said on Thursday. Speaking to state broadcaster RAI, Paolo Gentiloni referred to "possible terrorist attacks" that could be aimed at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome or the cathedral or La Scala theatre in Milan. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning to American citizens in Italy, according to The Washington Post. The U.S. embassy in Rome said in a message to its citizens that - alongside the big tourist destinations - churches, synagogues, restaurants, theaters and hotels in the country's two main cities could also be targets.

Burundi Travel Warning 5 November 2015 This Travel Warning informs U.S. citizens that the Department of State has terminated the Ordered Departure status, allowing eligible family members and non-emergency personnel who departed Burundi to return. Washington DC - infoZine - The State Department continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Burundi and recommends U.S. citizens avoid non-essential travel. This replaces the Travel Warning issued on May 14. Political violence persists throughout Burundi in the aftermath of the country’s contested elections, an attempted coup d’etat, and the debate over the President standing for a third term. Exchanges of gunfire and grenade attacks are common but are typically not directed at foreigners and are usually limited to specific areas of the capital, Bujumbura. The terrorist organization al-Shabaab, based in Somalia, has threatened to conduct terror attacks in Burundi. It may also target U.S. interests in Burundi.

Chad Travel Warning Saturday, October 03, 2015 U.S. citizens are urged to carefully consider the risks of travel to Chad and, if already in Chad, are encouraged to review their and their families’ personal safety and security plans to determine whether they and their family members should depart. U.S. warns citizens not to travel to Somalia 2 October 2015 The Department of State reiterated its warning to U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Somalia for the second time in a year, describing the situation in the country as “remaining dangerous.” While the Horn of Africa nation continues to recover from over two decades of civil war, the department of state said in a statement released on Thursday that its citizens should avoid all travel to Somalia because of the general threat of violent crime, terrorism, and the targeting of foreigners for murder and kidnappings, particularly by the extremist terrorist group al-Shabaab. Travel Warning: Central African Republic 9/30/2015 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to the Central African Republic (CAR) due to an unpredictable security situation subject to rapid deterioration, activities of armed groups, and violent crime. The border between Chad and CAR is currently closed. Other land border crossings may close at short notice. U.S. citizens who have decided to stay in CAR despite this warning should seriously consider departing. Embassy Bangui cannot provide consular services to U.S. citizens in CAR at this time. This replaces the Travel Warning of May 1, 2015 to reflect the risk of remaining in CAR and continued lack of security. Indiscriminate violence and looting has occurred in CAR since the overthrow of the Government in March 2013. Sectarian violence is frequent and has resulted in thousands of deaths. Despite the creation of a transitional government in January 2014 and the presence of a United Nations stabilization force, the security situation remains highly fragile. Instability has increased as the political transition process unfolds around the upcoming constitutional referendum and elections which were initially scheduled for October 2015.

Cameroon Travel Warning Thursday, October 01, 2015 :: Staff infoZine The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high risk of traveling to Cameroon, and urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the North and Far North regions of the country because of the general threat of violent crime, terrorism, and the targeting of westerners for murder and kidnappings, particularly by the extremist terrorist group Boko Haram. Washington DC - infoZine - There is also a growing threat in the East Region, where former Seleka and criminal elements from the Central African Republic (CAR) occasionally cross the border of Cameroon to steal property and take hostages for ransom. Because of the security situation in country, the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services in remote and rural areas is extremely limited. This replaces the Travel Warning of August 5, 2015 to emphasize the continuing threat of armed attacks, bombings and kidnappings in the Far North region of Cameroon and Boko Haram’s aspirations to extend the threat to other parts of the country

Resource Section R

ASEA Mormon Newsroom and Mormon Newsroom Facebook pages YouTube and other Resource sites

Official Church pages: . 37 Official General Authority Facebook Pages &

27 Official Church Organizations Pages

YouTube Channels R

ASEA (Africa Southeast Area) Public Affairs Mormon Newsroom

Mormon Channel Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Africa Southeast Area Newsroom & Facebook sites

Countries

Mormon Newsroom Sites

Link from these sites to Facebook!

Mormon Newsroom Facebook sites.

Church HQ Mormon Newsroom Mormon Newsroom Facebook page (English)

Angola Angola Mormon Newsroom Angola Mormon Newsroom Facebook (Portuguese)

Botswana none Botswana Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Congo DR DR Congo Mormon Newsroom DR Congo Mormon Newsroom Facebook (French)

Congo Rep none Republic of Congo Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(French)

Indian Ocean Indian Ocean Newsroom Indian Ocean Mormon Newsroom Facebook (French)

Kenya Kenya Mormon Newsroom Kenya Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Madagascar Indian Ocean Newsroom Madagascar Mormon Newsroom Facebook (French)

Malawi None Malawi Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Mozambique None Mozambique Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(Portuguese)

Namibia None Namibia Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

South Africa South Africa Mormon Newsroom South Africa Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Uganda Uganda Mormon Newsroom Uganda Mormon Newsroom Facebook page (English)

Zambia none Zambia Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Totals for ASEA 7 Country-Mormon Newsrooms 14 Country Newsroom Facebook pages!

Helping Hands Mormon Helping Hands - Africa Southeast Facebook page

Public Affairs All Public Affairs individuals are able to access the Public Affairs Network (Secure Site) at this link: Public Affairs Network

AFRICASE Africa Southeast Page Africa Southeast Area Facebook page

Liahona Issues (downloadable) Liahona Local Inserts

Online Resources Use of Online Resources in Church Callings Church Guidelines for setting up ‘Unofficial Pages’ R

CREAT.lds.org Create and Share your media Talents !!!!

Church Resources LDS.org Mormon.org Deseret News LDS Media Library

General Conference Life of Christ Bible Videos

Law and Religion Symposium

BYU Law International Center for Law and Religion Studies

Emergency Preparedness:

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Historical Events in Church History for Countries in the ASEA Area

(and related events)

R

Country Year Date Historical Event Zimbabwe 1999 January 1 * 1999: Zimbabwe’s first stake is organized in Harare. The first full edition

of the Book of Mormon is published in Shona, a native language of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe 1980 February 1 Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe

Swaziland 1990 February 21 In what has been termed a continuation of events in the "dawning of a new day in Africa," Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve dedicated two African kingdoms to the work of the Lord and for the preaching of the gospel. Swaziland, an independent mountain kingdom bordered on three sides by South Africa and by Mozambique on its eastern side, was dedicated Feb. 21. Lesotho, a kingdom surrounded by South Africa, was dedicated Feb. 22.

Lesotho 1990 February 22 In what has been termed a continuation of events in the "dawning of a new day in Africa," Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve dedicated two African kingdoms to the work of the Lord and for the preaching of the gospel. Swaziland, an independent mountain kingdom bordered on three sides by South Africa and by Mozambique on its eastern side, was dedicated Feb. 21. Lesotho, a kingdom surrounded by South Africa, was dedicated Feb. 22.

Zimbabwe 2013 APRIL 1 2013: Edward Dube is called to the First Quorum of the Seventy, making him the first General Authority from Zimbabwe.

South Africa 1853 April 19 When the first LDS missionaries arrived in Cape Town in 1853, they climbed Lion’s Head (which they called Mount Brigham Heber Willard, in honor of the Church’s First Presidency) and dedicated the land to the growth of the gospel.

Zimbabwe 2009 July 1 2009: Edward Dube becomes the first native mission president to serve in Zimbabwe.

Nigeria 2005 August 7 Aba Nigeria temple dedicated August, 2005

Zambia 1992

August 20 Zambia-On Aug. 20, at a secluded spot on a hill near a lake on university grounds in the capital city of Lusaka, Elder Nelson dedicated the nation of Zambia to the preaching of the gospel. "It was a touching scene,"

commented Pres. Vern Marble of the neighboring Zimbabwe Harare Mission who was present for the prayer of dedication.

Botswana 1992 August 21 The prayer of dedication on the nation of Botswana was offered by Elder Scott on Aug. 21, in a small clearing in the Gaborone Game Reserve. Nearly 100 people were present, including members and missionaries.

Cameroon 2009 August 21 Elder Holland dedicated the country of Cameroon on August 21, 2009, on a green hillside overlooking Cameroon's capital city of Yaounde in the company of local church leaders. Later in the day, approximately 600 people gathered to hear Elder Holland speak at Yaounde's City Center. http://www.mormonwiki.com/Missionary_Work

Namibia 1992 August 22 In Namibia, on Aug. 22, a small group of members gathered on Tower Hill in Windhoek to witness the dedication of the land by Elder Nelson. Namibia is part of the South Africa Cape Town Mission. Its president, Blaine Hudson, described the gathering as "the Lord's people who in the past years have been faithful in the desert and in the wilderness, and have made it blossom as a rose."

Congo Rep (Brazzaville)

1992 August 24 The nation of Congo was dedicated Aug. 24 by Elder Scott. Elder Nelson briefly addressed the small gathering of members and leaders who gathered in a peaceful setting in a shaded area located on a hillside overlooking treetops about 10 miles down the Congo River from the capital city of Brazzaville. A picturesque Congolese village was visible in the distance beyond the river's rapids. About 65 members and leaders of three branches in Congo attended the dedication.

South Africa 1985 August 24 1985: On August 24–25 the Johannesburg South Africa Temple is dedicated. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1993/02/south-africa-land-of-good-hope?lang=eng

Rwanda 2009 August 27 Elder Holland dedicated Rwanda on Aug. 27 during a sacred moment on the top of a mountain overlooking the capital city, Kigali. http://www.mormonwiki.com/Missionary_Work

Ethiopia 1993 September 16 The Church was officially recognized in Ethiopia on 16 September 1993.

Burundi 2010 October 19 The chosen dedication spot for the country of Burundi was located on a hill overlooking Bujumbura, the capital city, with Lake Tanganyika shining in the distance beyond. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve pronounced a blessing upon the country of Burundi in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa. Elder Holland offered a blessing on the people and the nation, dedicating the country of Burundi for missionary work on Oct. 19.

Angola 2010 October 20 On Wednesday, Oct. 20, a small group of Church leaders and members gathered at the base of a large, several-hundred-year-old baobab tree on a quiet hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the capital city of Luanda, Angola, to the north, where Elder Christofferson pronounced a blessing upon the country and formally opened Angola to missionary work.

Uganda 1991 October 23 In late October 1991, Elder James E. Faust of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe for the preaching of the gospel and the establishment of the Church. On October 23, Elder Faust, accompanied by Elder Richard P. Lindsay of the Seventy, who serves as president of the Africa Area, dedicated Uganda from the capital city, Kampala. Earlier this year, Uganda granted the Church official status. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/02/news-of-the-church/uganda-kenya-zimbabwe-dedicated?lang=eng

Kenya 1991 October 24 The next day, October 24, Elder Faust, Elder Lindsay, and President Larry Brown of the Kenya Nairobi Mission traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, where more than one hundred Church members gathered for the outdoor service. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/02/news-of-the-church/uganda-kenya-zimbabwe-dedicated?lang=eng In the dedicatory prayer, Elder Faust said, “We acknowledge this as a blessed land.” The prayer contained references to Kenya’s beauty, grandeur, and abundant plant and animal life. Elder Faust asked that “the beasts of the earth, which have historically been native to this land, may continue to find a home.”

Zambia 1964 October 24 1964: Northern Rhodesia becomes Zambia, and Southern Rhodesia becomes Rhodesia.

Zimbabwe 1991 October 25 1991: On October 25 Elder James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicates Zimbabwe for the preaching of the gospel.

Malawi 2011 October 25 While the first branch of the Church in Malawi was organized in 1999 and there are now about 1,000 members in four branches, the land had not been formally dedicated. Elder Nelson and others met as a small group for that purpose on Oct. 25. (2011)

Zimbabwe 1991 October 25 On October 25, Elder Faust and Elder Lindsay met Zimbabwe Harare Mission President Vern Marble for the dedication of Zimbabwe. “Before the meeting, the Saints of Zimbabwe had been fasting and praying for rain,” Elder Lindsay said. “As the dedicatory prayer by Elder Faust concluded, a gentle rain began to fall, and rainfall increased for days afterward.” In the prayer, Elder Faust asked for a blessing upon the earth of Zimbabwe and prayed that the land would “continue to provide the abundance which it has in the past. … May the rain fall and the streams flow, and the sun kiss the land to provide for thy people.” https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/02/news-of-the-church/uganda-kenya-zimbabwe-dedicated?lang=eng

Central Africa Republic

2012 October 29 On a heavily forested hillside overlooking the capital city of Bangui, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve offered a prayer of dedication and blessing upon the country and people of the Central African Republic. The prayer was offered Monday, October 29, on Gbazabangui hillside overlooking the Ubangi River—a major tributary of the Congo River—a few degrees north of the equator that is the original site of the Bangui people. https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-holland-dedicates-central-african-republic?lang=eng

Gabon 2013 November 5 On November 5, 2013, eleven days after the Church received full legal status in the Central African country of Gabon, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles performed a powerful and significant country dedicatory prayer in a forest clearing at the base of a tall tree. He was accompanied by his wife, Susan K. Bednar, and local leaders: Elder Carl B. Cook of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency and his wife, Sister Lynette H. Cook; President W. Bryce Cook, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Mission, and his wife, Sister Karol Cook; and President Armand Mpandou, president of the Libreville Gabon Branch.

Tanzania 2003 November 18 The East African nation of Tanzania was blessed and dedicated Nov. 18 by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Nelson, who was accompanied by his wife, Sister Dantzel Nelson, gathered for the occasion on a sunny afternoon with some 15 members and Church leaders on a promontory overlooking Oyster Bay on the Indian Ocean, near the capital city of Dar es Salaam. http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/44749/Gospel-takes-root-in-Tanzania.html

Mauritius 1988 November 22 The islands of Mauritius and Réunion, in the Mascarene Islands Mission, were dedicated late in 1988 for the preaching of the gospel. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/03/news-of-the-church/mauritius-runion-dedicated-for-missionary-work?lang=eng Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve dedicated the two islands, located off the southeast coast of Africa. He visited Mauritius, an independent nation of 1.1 million, on November 22, and Réunion, an overseas departmént of France with a population of 500,000, on November 23.

Reunion 1988 November 23 The islands of Mauritius and Réunion, in the Mascarene Islands Mission, were dedicated late in 1988 for the preaching of the gospel. Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve dedicated the two islands, located off the southeast coast of Africa. He visited Mauritius, an independent nation of 1.1 million, on November 22, and Réunion, an overseas departmént of France with a population of 500,000, on November 23. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/03/news-of-the-church/mauritius-runion-dedicated-for-missionary-work?lang=eng

South Africa 1973 December 1 In 1973, President Spencer W. Kimball rededicated South Africa “to the preaching of the gospel … to the transformation of lives.” Among the many blessings pronounced by this prophet of God, none was more thrilling than his request that “processes might converge to bring a temple to this land” and that “no hungry or thirsty soul may ever miss the privilege of hearing and accepting the truth.” https://www.lds.org/ensign/1993/02/south-africa-land-of-good-hope?lang=eng

Books of Interest about Africa R

‘I Dreamed of Africa’ ISBN 0140287442 (ISBN13: 9780140287448)

This is a beautifully written book about a woman who moves to Africa from Italy, learns to love the country, learns to love the animals and especially learns to love its people. A tender story of survival through hard times. Very tender. (Review by Sister Ford serving in Kenya.)

‘Left to Tell’ by Immaculee Ilibagiza (2014) ISBN 978-1-4019-4432-2

‘Left to Tell’ tells Immaculée Ilibagiza’s experience during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. She survived hidden for 91 days with seven other women in a small bathroom, no larger than 3 feet (0.91 m) long and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide with an area of 12 feet. The bathroom was concealed in a room behind a wardrobe in the home of a Hutu pastor. During the genocide, most of Ilibagiza’s family was killed by Hutu Interahamwe soldiers: her mother, her father, and her two brothers Damascene and Vianney. Besides herself, the only other survivor in her family was her brother Aimable, who was studying out of the country in Senegal and did not know the war was going on. In Left to Tell, Ilibagiza shares how her Roman Catholic faith guided her through her terrible ordeal, and describes her eventual forgiveness and compassion toward her family's killers.

‘Unbowed: A Memoir’ by Wangari Maathai (2007) ISBN 978-0-307-27520-2

In Unbowed, Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai recounts her extraordinary journey from her childhood in rural Kenya to the world stage. When Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, she began a vital poor people’s environmental movement, focused on the empowerment of women that soon spread across Africa. Persevering through run-ins with the Kenyan government and personal losses, and jailed and beaten on numerous occasions, Maathai continued to fight tirelessly to save Kenya’s forests and to restore democracy to her beloved country. Infused with her unique luminosity of spirit, Wangari Maathai’s remarkable story of courage, faith, and the power of persistence is destined to inspire generations to come.

‘The Shackled Continent’ by Robert Guest (2004) ISBN-13: 978-0-330-41972 ISBN-10: 0-330-41972-2

The Shackled Continent provides a persuasive look into the persistent problems of modern Africa and offers some possible solutions.

‘Long Walk to Freedom’ by Nelson Mandela (2010) ISBN 9780230013858

‘Long Walk to Freedom’ is an autobiographical work written by South African President Nelson Mandela, and published in 1995 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison. Under the apartheid government, Mandela was regarded as a terrorist and jailed on the infamous Robben Island for his role as a leader of the then-outlawed ANC. He has since achieved international recognition for his leadership as president in rebuilding the country's once segregated society. The last chapters of the book describe his political ascension, and his belief that the struggle continues against apartheid in South Africa.

‘Dark Star Safari’ by Paul Theroux (2004) ISBN-10 0618446877 ISBN-13: 978-8446872

‘Dark Star Safari’ (2002) is a written account of a trip taken by author Paul Theroux 'overland from Cairo to Cape Town' via trains, buses, cars, and armed convoy. Theroux had lived in Africa as a young and idealistic early member of the Peace Corps and part of the reason for this trip was to assess the impact on Africa of the many years of "helping" from Western countries. His assessment is generally critical of the long-term impact of aid programs.

If you have any books that you have read that you would like to include in this section, Please, email me the information.

Movies of Interest about Africa R

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom 2013 Zulu (1964)

Hotel Rwanda (2004) Out of Africa (1985)

Invictus (2009) The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Mandela and de Klerk (1997)

If you have any movies that you have watched that you would like to include in this section, Please, email me the information.

Sources of information for country banners:

All church membership information is provided by Mormon Newsroom by clicking on the ‘Africa’ continent on the map (at the right) and then finding the desired country on the list. The information is reviewed from the list and updated as necessary.

All keywords and country information is collected from an Internet scan of about 60 specific keywords that is supplied to me at 0300 each morning via Google alerts. This keyword list is reviewed and updated as needed.

All Population data are from Country Meters and is updated as needed.

All Cellphone and smartphone data are from GMSA Intelligence and is updated as needed.

All Internet users by country data are from Internet Live Stats and Internet World Stats is reviewed as needed.

GNI (Gross National Income per capita) and Life Expectancy data is from The World Bank

Unemployment and other data are from Photius , IECONOMICS, Quandl, Wikipedia, Theodora & The World Factbook.

Elder Robert Berg

Elder Berg & Sister Berg - Africa Southeast Area Assistant Directors of Public Affairs, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Email: ASEAPublicAffairs@ldschurch.org Cellphone: +27 (0)83 443 3829 Office: +27 (0)11 645 1538

7 ASEA Newsrooms pages Angola Mormon Newsroom

DR Congo Mormon Newsroom

Kenya Mormon Newsroom

Indian Ocean Newsroom

South Africa Mormon Newsroom

Uganda Mormon Newsroom

Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom

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