PRESS RELEASE: NIGERIA WILL WELCOME INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT TO DIVERSIFY ECONOMY — PRESIDENT BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja said his administration will continue to welcome support and investments from the international community in the agricultural and solid minerals sectors as Nigeria moves to reduce dependence on crude oil.

In a farewell audience with the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Sweden to Nigeria, Mr. Svante Kilander, in the State House, President Buhari said the Federal Government would create the enabling environment for local and foreign investments in farming, animal husbandry, fishery and the exploration of solid minerals.

The President said a planned visit by some Swedish trade and investment delegations to the country later in the year would further encourage the ongoing process of diversifying the Nigerian economy.

What the Conviction of Chad's Former Dictator Means for African Human Rights

The breakthrough for many victims of atrocities committed under the former Chadian dictator Hissène Habré came on May 30 in Dakar, Senegal. After nearly two decades of effort by activists, the Extraordinary African Chambers in the courts of Senegal convicted Habré of torture, war crimes and crimes against humanity and handed down a life sentence. For those of us in the courtroom, the cries of joy from the victims after the judges’ ruling underscored its immense importance.

Habré was the first African suspect prosecuted under ‘universal jurisdiction’

The Habré trial was the first in which a court in Africa prosecuted a suspect under “universal jurisdiction”— which allows states to prosecute certain heinous crimes even if they were committed abroad, by foreigners and against foreigners. While many countries have universal jurisdiction laws, few have used them. European countries have launched most such cases. South Africa has begun to investigate crimes on the basis of universal jurisdiction but has yet to bring any prosecutions.

Buhari lacks political will to address Fulani/farmers challenge –Junaid Mohammed

Dr Mohammed Junaid in this interview, blamed the recurring Fulani herdsmen, farmers clashes on government’s inability to muster political will to address the matter. On the issue of governance , he picked holes in the style of President Muhamnadu Buhari, insisting that the appointments made so far by the President were not such that could inspire hope among Nigerians. Excerpts:

What do you make of the blame game going on over herdsmen/ farmers clashes?

Thank you very much for describing the situation as nothing but political blame game. As far as I am concerned, if a government has the political will to solve a problem, and that will and attitude towards any political problem is perhaps a reflection of the attitude of the elite themselves, that problem can be solved. The central issue here is having the political will.

36 people fare dead in plane crash in South Sudan's Juba

At least 36 people killed after Soviet-era plane crashes near capital's international airport shortly after takeoff. The cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Juba, South Sudan, raising questions about security at the country's main international airport.

According to the reports,  the Soviet-era Antonov-12 pummeled into a grove of fruit trees on the sparsely populated east side of the Nile river on Wednesday morning.

It was unclear exactly how many people were on board.

Minister of Transportation Kuong Danhier Gatluak said 36 people were killed, and more may be unaccounted for. Authorities are still investigating the cause.

South African soldiers robbed in South Sudan

A group of South African soldiers was robbed in South Sudan during a peacekeeping mission, the SA Navy said on Thursday

"There was no loss of life, but some of their equipment was taken away from them," Captain Jaco Theunissen told Sapa.

He said the troops were on a convoy when they were ambushed on Saturday.

Theunissen was unable to say how many troops were there at the time, and what sort of equipment was stolen.

"We don't want to speculate. We are just waiting for more information from the investigation [team]."