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The ASEA Daily News & Resources

Africa Southeast Area Wednesday 07 October 2015

Issue: 194 (First Issue on 6 November 2014)

The ASEA Daily News and Resources is now available online at

South Africa Mormon Newsroom (Click on “ASEA Daily News” link on page-

find the date of news you would like to read)

See the NEW RESOURCE SECTION (At the End of News Section!)

Historical Events in Church History for Countries in ASEA Area

The Church has: . 37 Official General Authority Facebook Pages & 27 Official Church Organizations Pages

Africa Southeast Area Websites

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!

ASEA YouTube ASEA (Africa Southeast Area) Public Affairs YouTube Channel

HQ YouTube Mormon Newsroom YouTube Account

AFRICASE Africa Southeast Page Africa Southeast Area Facebook page

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

Online Resources

Use of Online Resources in Church Callings When carefully used, the Internet can help coordinate the work of the Church, strengthen faith, and minister to the needs of others. The Internet can also help with missionary work as people connect with friends and family and share Church content. However, electronic communication should not replace face-to-face contact.

Law and Religion Symposium

BYU Law International Center for Law and Religion Studies

Emergency Preparedness: Emergency Preparedness and Response

Africa Southeast Area (ASEA)

Calendar

18 October 2015 Tanzania Presidential and Parliamentary elections

20 October 2015 Kenya Mashuja Day (Heroes Day)

25 October 2015 DR Congo Provincial elections

25 October 2015 Tanzania Parliamentary and Presidential elections

26 November 2015 African Girls Summit to end child marriage. Lusaka, Zambia

Tuesday 16 December 2015 South Africa, Day of Reconciliation

25 October 2015 Tanzanian General Elections

27 November 2015 DR Congo Presidential Election

21 February 2016 Niger Parliamentary and Presidential elections.

Keyword News Topics below in Tan

Country Specific News Topics in Light Blue

Church Articles of Interest to Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

84 inspiring quotes from October 2015 LDS general conference

The Church’s Official YouTube channel at this link:

Upcoming Historical Events in the ASEA Area. (taken from the resource section at the end of this Daily News) Burundi 19 October 2010: Elder Holland dedicated the country of Burundi. Angola 20 October 2010: Elder Christtofferson dedicates Angola. Uganda 23 October 1991: James E. Faust dedicates Uganda. Kenya 24 October 1991: James E. Faust dedicates Kenya. Zimbabwe 25 October 1991: James E. Faust dedicates Zimbabwe. Malawi 25 October 1999: Elder Nelson dedicates Malawi. Central Africa Republic 29 October 2012: Elder Holland dedicates CAR. Gabon 5 November 2013: Elder Bednar dedicates Gabon. Tanzania 18 Movember 2003: Elder Nelson dedicates Tanzania. Mauritius 22 November 1988: Elder Ashton dedicates Mauritius. Reunion 23 November 1988: Elder Ashton dedicates Reunion. South Africa 1 December 1973: President Kimball rededicates South Africa.

If anyone has any historical events for the ASEA Area…please email them to the address at the top of page 1 .

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

Medical News Found in the news stream.

Nobel Prize winner Tu Youyou combed ancient Chinese texts for malaria cure

Social Media Found in the news stream.

Facebook in space: Social network will launch satellite in 2016 to provide broadband for millions in Africa The latest stage of the social network's internet.org connectivity project will involve bringing the web to Africa, Mark Zuckerberg has said Mark Zuckerberg confirmed plans to launch a satellite over Africa Facebook is planning to launch a satellite to provide internet access to remote parts of Africa, the social network's founder has said. Mark Zuckerberg announced the satellite was under construction and would be ready for launch into space in 2016 as part of the company's free mobile data scheme Internet.org. In a post on the site, Mr Zuckerberg said: "Connectivity changes lives and communities. We're going to keep working to connect the entire world - even if that means looking beyond our planet." The project marks the next step in the Internet.org initiative, with the company earlier this year testing solar-powered drones which could beam internet signal from the skies above the UK. But Internet.org, which aims to get the entire planet online, has come under fire from digital rights groups in countries including Uganda, Ecuador and Indonesia over net-neutrality concerns. Facebook is developing the satellite with French firm Eutelsat and Mr Zuckerberg said he hoped to "connect millions of people" in hard-to-reach areas. …. "The AMOS-6 satellite is under construction now and will launch in 2016 into a geostationary orbit that will cover large parts of West, East and Southern Africa. We're going to work with local partners across these regions to help communities begin accessing internet services provided through satellite." Eutelsat said users would be able to access the internet from the satellite on "affordable, off-the-shelf customer equipment" from the second half of next year.

Religious Freedom Found in the news stream.

Misc. Found in the news stream.

Animal Conservation and related articles

Multiple African Countries or other African Countries

Angola

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 64% / 26% Population: 24,316,360

Penetration of population w/ internet 19.4% 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

Angola: Alcatel-Lucent to Deliver Sooc Optical Cable to Reduce Delivery of Data Traffic to Angola Alcatel-Lucent Submarine Networks, the undersea cables subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext and NYSE: ALU), has been awarded the development of the Sonangol Offshore Optical Cable (SOOC), a critical infrastructure project which will dramatically reduce the cost-per-bit associated with the delivery of data traffic to Angola, including its offshore oil and gas production facilities. Spanning 1,900 km, the SOOC undersea network will connect to landing points at four locations along the Angolan coast and will allow the country's oil and gas industry to benefit from very large offshore data bandwidth with high availability, high reliability and low latency. Angola: Judicial System Grants Sovereignty and Autonomy to Courts Luanda — Angola has a judicial system designed by the Constitution of the Republic that includes the three powers, namely the Executive, Legislative and Judicial ones, where the courts are sovereign and autonomous institutions from the other powers, said the member of the Justice Reform Committee, Mota Liz. Speaking to Angop, Mota Liz said that Angola is integrated by the legislative power that is the National Assembly, whose MPs are elected by free and universal suffrage and has an integrated an Executive power comprised by the President and various government departments and has equally includes judiciary power made up by various courts.

Botswana

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 164% / 26% Population: 2,115,710

Penetration of population w/ internet 13.2% 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 sends refugee complaints to UN Botswana has lodged a formal complaint to the United Nations High Commissioner in Switzerland during a meeting held in that country about what it called the disturbing new phenomenon of an emerging dimension of refugees. A statement from the Minster of Foreign Affairs Shaw Kgathi seen by APA on Tuesday states that the new migration manifests itself in the form of a wave of secondary refugees and asylum seekers. The statement says that these secondary movements are disturbing as they are likely to dilute the asylum landscape within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region at a time when the region is peaceful and stable.

Burkina Faso (A West African Country)

Burkina Faso: Ban meets with transition President Kafando to discuss situation in country 5 October 2015 – In a meeting today with Michel Kafando, the Transitional President of Burkina Faso, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his sympathy for the lives lost and the many injured during the coup d’état that took place on 16 September 2015. According to a readout issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson, the Secretary-General and President Kafando exchanged views on the current situation in Burkina Faso. The Secretary-General also reiterated his call on all national stakeholders to act responsibly, exercise restraint and work in the best interests of the country, while reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting national efforts, including for the organization of the elections. In this regard, the Secretary-General stressed that it would be essential to ensure the early holding of peaceful and credible presidential and legislative elections to allow for the swift return of constitutional order in Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso coup general, ex-minister ‘charged with attacking state security’

Burundi

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 25% / 2% Population: 11,010,900

Penetration of population w/ internet 1.4% 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

At least eight people shot dead in Burundi capital At least eight people have died in shootings in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura, an administrator has said, the latest in a series of attacks to hit the city since a disputed presidential election. Local residents told the news agency Reuters that the police were behind the killings and had been accompanied by unarmed members of the ruling CNDD-FDD party’s youth wing – Imbonerakure – who stole items such as mobile phones from houses. Residents also said most of the dead were civilians and that some had been found with their hands tied behind their backs.

Cameroon

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 71% / -% Population: 23,248,261

Penetration of population w/ internet 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

Cameroon Teachers Celebrate Teachers Day Amid Growing Challenges

Central African Republic (CAR)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 33% / 1% Population: 4,851,884

Penetration of population w/ internet 3.4% 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

Despite looting of aid agencies in Central African Republic UN pledges continued support 6 October 2015 – Despite worsening security conditions and the recent looting of international aid offices in the Central African Republic (CAR), prompting the temporarily relocation of 200 personnel, the United Nations today pledged to keep bringing aid into the war-torn country, where over half the population urgently needs assistance.

Chad (This country borders ASEA)

47% / -% Population: 13,288,797

Penetration of population w/ internet 2.4% Labor Force: 4,919,000

GDP per capita USD$ 2,600 Life Expectancy: 51

Unemployment / year est. 22% / 2009 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: 80% / 2001 Congregations:

Boko Haram militants kill 11 Chad troops: military source N'DJAMENA Suspected militants from Nigeria's Boko Haram group killed 11 soldiers in an attack over the border in Chad early on Tuesday, a Chadian military source said. Seventeen attackers also died in the clash in an area that has seen a series of raids by the fighters, increasingly moving out of their heartlands to strike in Nigeria's neighbours. Chad is a leading contributor to a 8,700-strong regional force fighting Boko Haram, a movement which wants to carve out an Islamist caliphate and has allied itself to Islamic State. "It was around 4 a.m. (11:00 p.m. EDT) that they attacked us by surprise," an officer involved in the battle in the Lake Chad border region told Reuters. Chad's President Idriss Deby has said he believes Boko Haram can be defeated by the end of the year.

Congo Rep. (Brazzaville)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 100% / 7% Population: 4,753,445

Penetration of population w/ internet 2.0% 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 to vote on scrapping presidential third term limit Brazzaville (AFP) - Republic of Congo's government on Monday called an October 25 referendum on a constitutional amendment allowing President Denis Sassou Nguesso to run for a controversial third term in office. Under the amendment, a presidential term could be "twice renewed", allowing Sassou Nguesso, 72, to seek reelection in 2016. In late September, thousands of people demonstrated in Brazzaville over the incumbent's attempt to follow the example of several African leaders by trying to extend his rule. The opposition has dubbed his planned changes, which would extend the current two term limit, a "constitutional coup". Announced after a cabinet meeting in the capital Brazzaville, the amendment also scraps an upper age limit of 70 for presidential candidates.

Congo DR (Kinshasa)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 59% / 8% Population: 71,509,992

Penetration of population w/ internet 2.0% 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

Congo's opposition seeks to head off Kabila extending rule KINSHASA _ Opposition parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo are coalescing around a campaign to stop what they describe as President Joseph Kabila's intention to extend his 14-year rule in Africa's biggest copper-producing nation. Moise Katumbi, the former governor of the copper-rich Katanga province, quit the president's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy last week, signaling he may run against Kabila in a vote scheduled for November 2016. His resignation was welcomed by opposition leader Vital Kamerhe and came days after a group of politicians known as the G7 were banished from the ruling Presidential Majority for criticizing the president in an open letter. DR Congo: Officials Linked to Attack on Protesters (Kinshasa) – Senior security force and ruling party officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo appear to have hired thugs to assault a peaceful political demonstration in the capital, Kinshasa, Human Rights Watch said today. On September 15, 2015, a group of youth brutally attacked a public meeting organized by political opposition leaders to call for President Joseph Kabila to step down after his constitutionally mandated two-term limit ends in December 2016. The assailants were armed with clubs and wooden sticks and beat the demonstrators, spreading fear and chaos throughout the crowd of several thousand protesters. More than a dozen demonstrators were injured, including some who were trampled trying to flee.

Equatorial Guinea

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 87% / -% Population: 802,008

Penetration of population w/ internet 16.0% Labor Force: 195,200

GDP per capita USD$ 32,600 Life Expectancy: 53

Unemployment / year est. 22.3% / 2009 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: na Congregations:

Ethiopia

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 26% / 49% Population: 101,683,016

Penetration of population w/ internet 1.7% 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

Gabon

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 175% / -% Population: 1,742,265

Penetration of population w/ internet 9.9% 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

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 83% / 67% Population: 46,764,772

Penetration of population w/ internet 36.7% 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

Kenya’s Teachers Return to Class as Strike Suspended NAIROBI, KENYA—Kenya’s teachers and students have returned to class, after a five-week teachers’ strike was

suspended. The country’s teachers’ unions called the strike at the beginning of the school year after the government said it was unable to pay a court-ordered salary increase. Kenya's public school students and teachers returned to classrooms Monday, following the suspension of the national teachers’ strike. Teachers’ unions agreed to comply with a court order that will give them

90 days to negotiate salary terms with the government. The government maintains it cannot afford to pay the mandated 50- to 60-percent wage increase.

Kenya accuses UN staff in Dadaab refugee camp of aiding terrorists Interior minister suggests staff from the UN’s refugee agency staff are either “complacent” or directly facilitating activities by terrorist group al-Shabaab in the world’s largest refugee camp Kenya to cut non-essential spending this year: IMF KENYA’S government plans to cut some non-priority spending this financial year to balance the books after its borrowing costs rose, the International Monetary Fund's resident representative said. Higher lending rates are also likely to impact economic growth, which might reach 6 percent in 2015, IMF Kenya representative Armando Morales said, short of the government's target of 6.9 percent. The economy grew 5.5 percent in the second quarter and 5.3 percent in 2014. "They need to offset those (higher borrowing costs) in the same budget envelope and ...that is what they intend to do," Morales told Reuters in an interview. Kenya, whose financial year runs from July to June, was granted a standby IMF lending facility in February.

Lesotho

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 95% / 24% Population: 2,074,095

Penetration of population w/ internet 5.3% 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

Lesotho High Court orders release of over 20 detained soldiers The High Court of Lesotho has released 23 members of the Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) who were under their employer’s detention for an alleged mutiny plot, APA learns here Tuesday.All the orders sought by the applicants failed, except for the one where they asked the court to declare their “close arrest” null and void. The court gave them an “open arrest” and they are expected to appear before the court as and when the court requires. The applicants’ case was that the decision to arrest and institute charges against them was unlawful, unreasonable and irrational and should be put aside.

Madagascar

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 40% / ? Population: 24,540,641

Penetration of population w/ internet 73.5% 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

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 37% / 10% Population: 17,393,962

Penetration of population w/ internet 72.2% 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

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 128% / 40% Population: 1,322,860

Penetration of population w/ internet 6.2% 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

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 58% / 22% Population: 27,282,161

Penetration of population w/ internet 5.6% 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

Namibia

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 137% / 32% Population: 2,325,019

Penetration of population w/ internet 14.8% 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

Niger

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 25% / 2% Population: 19,289,323

Penetration of population w/ internet 1.6% Labor Force: 5,800,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,000 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 58

Unemployment / year est. 2.25% / 2009 Church Members: 793

Population below poverty line: 63% Congregations: 2

3 Boko Haram militants killed by their bomb in Niger Three militants of the Boko Haram group died on Tuesday when a bomb they were transporting exploded in Niger’s Far East region of Diffa, local sources said. The bomb exploded when they were about to enter Bosso town, one of the sources told newsmen, adding that the militants were planning to carry out an attack. On Sunday, 10 people, among them one soldier, five civilians and four suicide bombers, were killed in two separate suicide attacks by Boko Haram in Diffa.

Nigeria

(This country borders ASEA)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 107% / 15% Population: 179,825,664

Penetration of population w/ internet 37.6% Labor Force: 54,970,000

GDP per capita USD$ 6,100 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 52

Unemployment / year est. 23.9% / 2011 Church Members: 129,989

Population below poverty line: 70% Congregations: 416

Nigeria confirms arrest of former oil minister in London Lagos (AFP) - Nigeria on Monday confirmed the arrest in London of former oil minister Diezani Alison-Madueke on suspicion of bribery and money laundering. "Nigeria is aware of the arrest of the former petroleum minister in London on money laundering charges," presidential spokesman Garba Shehu told AFP.

"The government has been informed and the DSS (Department of State Services) is collaborating with the relevant security agencies in the UK to handle the matter," he said. Britain's National Crime Agency said on its website on Friday it had detained five people on suspicion of bribery and money laundering but did not disclose the identities of the suspects. "All five people arrested were released on conditional bail later that evening, pending further investigation both in the UK and overseas," a statement said. Nigeria Senate Names 20 Nominees for President's New Cabinet Nigeria's Senate announced 20 nominees for the Cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, representing all regions of this West African nation but only three women in a team expected to fight endemic corruption. Buhari has said he will hold the most powerful portfolio of petroleum in Africa's biggest oil producer. Among the candidates is the recently appointed head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp., Harvard-educated Ibe Kachikwu. Kachikwu has 30 years' experience in Nigeria's private oil sector and is touted to be minister of state running the petroleum ministry with Buhari's oversight. One of Buhari's first acts was to fire the top echelon of the state oil industry, from which $20 billion allegedly has been looted. There were no surprises on Tuesday's list, which senators will start vetting next week, said Senate President Bukola Saraki. Islamist Groups Carry Out Deadly Attacks in Nigeria and Surrounding Region A wave of violence from Islamist militant groups left at least 19 dead in Nigeria and the surrounding area over the weekend, highlighting the limits of a concerted months-long Nigerian-led counterinsurgency effort. The two attacks on Friday and Sunday were reportedly carried out by the Islamic State and Boko Haram.

Reunion Island

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 105% / 48% Population: 874,345

Penetration of population w/ internet Labor Force:

GDP per capita USD$

Life Expectancy:

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

Population below poverty line: Congregations:

Rwanda

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

Penetration of population w/ internet 9.2% 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

RWANDA'S KAGAME TAKES ADVANTAGE OF UNREST IN BURUNDI France drops genocide, torture case dropped Rwanda priest Paris (AFP) - French judges have dropped the case against Rwandan priest Wenceslas Munyeshyaka for his alleged role in the country's 1994 genocide, a judicial source said Tuesday. Munyeshyaka was accused of handing over Tutsi civilians to Hutu militias and encouraging rapes, but French judges followed the advice of prosecutors in August that there was not enough evidence to proceed.

Somalia

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's Extremists Vow Violence Against British Troops A spokesman for Somalia's Islamic extremists says their rebels will fight the British troops that are to be deployed to the country as peacekeepers. Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage, a spokesman for al-Shabab, said on the the group's radio Tuesday that their fighters would welcome the British troops with bullets and drag beheaded British soldiers through the streets.

South Africa

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

Penetration of population w/ internet 46.8% 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 Africa Central Bank Chief Sees No Point in Forex-Market Intervention Rand has hit record-low levels, but Lesetja Kganyago says no central bank ‘can take on the market’ …. South Africa in many ways is regarded as a vulnerable economy among emerging markets. The country’s external debt has nearly doubled since 2009 as falling commodity prices have taken a toll. Its currency, the rand, hit its weakest level on record in late September, losing 26% of its value against the dollar over the past two years. S.Africa's Zuma pushes universities to reform on race Pretoria (AFP) - South Africa's President Jacob Zuma warned Tuesday there was "much more to be done" to bring racial equality to universities after a series of angry protests over colonial statues and lectures in Afrikaans. The unrest kicked off in March at the University of Cape Town (UCT) when students threw excrement at a statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes, successfully demanding that it was removed from campus. Now students at Stellenbosch University have been pushing to be taught in English, not Afrikaans -- the language of the old apartheid government and which is still dominant at the university. Several other universities across the country have seen violent demonstrations, over a range of issues including blacks alleging they do not receive a fair proportion of student funding. OFFICIALS WHO HELPED 12 LIMPOPO PRISONERS ESCAPE FACE HARSH ACTION A manhunt has been launched for the suspects who broke out of the Tubatse and Mecklenburg cells.

Sudan

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 70% / 31% Population: 40,313,269

Penetration of population w/ internet 24.0% Labor Force: 11,920,000

GDP per capita USD$ 4,500 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 62

Unemployment / year est. 20% / 2012 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: 46.5 / 2005 Congregations:

South Sudan

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration

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

Penetration of population w/ internet unkn 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:

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

Penetration of population w/ internet 23.8% 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

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

Uganda

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

Penetration of population w/ internet 16.8 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

Zambia

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

Penetration of population w/ internet 15.4% 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 power firm aims to more than double electricity cost

Zimbabwe

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 102% / 85% Population: 15,762,551

Penetration of population w/ internet 19.5% 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

Despite frustration with 91-year-old leader, Mugabe’s allies fear losing favour Swedish diplomat says frustrated by 'rampant' corruption in Zimbabwe A SWEDISH diplomat has complained bitterly about poor management of donor funds in Zimbabwe, saying corruption was so “rampant” it was frustrating to continue doing business in the troubled country. This is the first time that a donor has publicly and frankly spoken on the abuse of funds since last year when there were allegations of misappropriation of aid by some NGOs. In 2014, there were also reports of the abuse of the Health Transition Fund by top health ministry officials. Zimbabwe proposes 10 pct black empowerment tax - state paper Zimbabwe plans to impose a 10 percent tax on foreign-owned firms to fund a black economic empowerment programme that is designed to bring the companies under local majority control, a minister was quoted as saying on Monday. Some of the companies that could be affected by the new tax include the world's top two platinum producers Anglo American Platinum and Impala Platinum Holdings, which both have operations in the southern African nation. Under Zimbabwe's Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act passed in 2008, the minister of youth and empowerment can, with the approval of the finance minister, levy a tax on any company to raise money to fund the black economic empowerment programme. Youth and Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwao told the government's Herald newspaper that he would propose a 10 percent levy on all foreign-owned firms that have not complied with the law, known locally as indigenisation. The money raised would fund mostly rural community trusts to invest in businesses, said Zhuwao, adding that the government expected to raise $93 million annually.

United States Data Provided for comparison

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

Penetration of population w/ internet 86.8% 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 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

BURKINA FASO TRAVEL WARNING 21 September 2015 This Travel Warning is being issued to notify U.S. citizens that on September 21, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of eligible family members and non-emergency personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou. U.S. citizens are urged to carefully consider the risks of travel to Burkina Faso and, if already in Burkina Faso, encouraged to review their and their families’ personal safety and security plans to determine whether they and their family members, should depart. U.S. citizens are responsible for making their own travel arrangements. Citizens who decide to remain in Burkina Faso despite this travel warning should maintain situational awareness at all times and register their presence within Burkina Faso with the Embassy by enrolling in STEP. This Travel Warning supersedes and replaces the Travel Alert issued on September 4, 2015.

State Dept. Issues Sierra Leone Travel Warning, Sept. 17, 2015 Washington, DC--(ENEWSPF)--September 17, 2015. After review of health conditions and limited availability of medical evacuation options, the U.S. Department of State, on August 14, 2014, ordered the departure of eligible family members residing with Embassy staff in Freetown, and issued a Travel Warning advising U.S. citizens against non-essential travel to Sierra Leone. The Embassy recommended this action out of an abundance of caution following the determination that there was a lack of options for urgent health care services at major medical facilities due to the Ebola outbreak. On February 4, 2015, the U.S. Department of State modified the status for accompanying family members to allow only adult eligible family members to accompany the principal employee to Embassy Freetown. US Warns Citizens Against Travel in Chad 14 September 2015 The U.S. State Department is warning its citizens in the African nation of Chad to leave and is cautioning Americans against travel in the area.

Tanzania Travel Alert, Saturday, September 05, 2015 : The State Department alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Tanzania to the upcoming general elections scheduled for October 25, 2015.

US Renews Travel Warning to Cameroon as Boko Haram Targets Americans 10 August 2015

Historical Events in Church History for Countries in the ASEA Area

(and related events) Return to top of News

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

Swazliand 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 1999 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.

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

Sources of information:

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 each month for correctness.

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 daily.

All Population data are from Country Meters and is updated each month for correctness.

All Cellphone and smartphone data are from GMSA Intelligence and is updated each month for correctness.

All Internet users by country data are from Internet Live Stats and Internet World Stats is reviewed each month for correctness.

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 Berg Elder Berg & Sister Berg Africa Southeast AreaAssistant 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

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