Showing posts with label press. Show all posts
Showing posts with label press. Show all posts

Friday, May 6, 2011

IVORY COAST: Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara was sworn in Abidjan

AFP - Alassane Ouattara was sworn in Friday as president of Côte d'Ivoire, after five months of crisis-related challenge to the presidential election Nov. 28 by the outgoing Head of State Laurent Gbagbo, who was arrested April 11, found a AFP.

Mr.Ouattara, 69, was sworn in, standing, right hand raised before the President of the Constitutional Council, Paul Yao N'Dré, the palace of the Presidency, in the administrative district of Plateau (center) in the presence of members of government, diplomats, representatives of the armed forces, political parties and civil society.

"Before the sovereign people of Côte d'Ivoire, I solemnly swear to honor and to respect and faithfully defend the Constitution, protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, to conscientiously fulfill my duties in the best interests Nation, "he said.

"That the people will retire his confidence and that I undergo the rigor of the law if I betray my oath," he added.

"This is the beginning of a new era of reconciliation and unity between all the girls, among all our dear son of Ivory Coast," promised Mr. Ouattara in a brief intervention, immediately after its swearing.

The ceremony took place after the proclamation of Alassane Ouattara as president by the Constitutional Council, ending the controversy over the presidential election.

Ouattara Chairman welcomed this proclamation: "This decision has thus removing any doubt about the outcome of the vote."

3 December 2010, Mr. Yao N'Dré near Laurent Gbagbo, had opened the most serious crisis in the country's history by proclaiming Mr.Gbagbo reelected with 51.45% of the votes at the polls on November 28.

The Council then had to invalidate the results of the independent electoral commission, certified by the UN, giving Mr. Ouattara winner with 54.1% of votes.

December 4, Côte d'Ivoire was thus left with two chairs.Laurent Gbagbo was sworn in during a ceremony with great pomp in the presidential palace, while Alassane Ouattara had done so through a letter to the Constitutional Council.

Laurent Gbagbo was eventually arrested by the pro-Ouattara in the presidential residence in Abidjan on April 11, after several days of bombing of the French Licorne force and the UN, ending four months of crisis and 15 days of war, that killed nearly 3,000 people, authorities said, and about one million displaced.

The inauguration of President Ouattara to be held May 21 in Yamoussoukro (center), the political capital of the country, attended by foreign heads of state.

Monday, April 18, 2011

NIGERIA - PRESIDENTIAL: Victory Goodluck Jonathan backdrop of riots in the north

The outgoing leader Goodluck Jonathan, won the presidential election in Nigeria, shaken Monday by rioting in the predominantly Muslim north, where the dead were enrgistrées.

Result of the 36 states of the Nigerian federation, the federal capital Abuja over, give 22 million votes out against 12 million in the second, a former military junta leader, Muhammadu Buhari, according to full results released Monday by the Electoral Commission National.

Jonathan also won over 25 per cent of the votes in more than two-thirds of the 36 states, a necessary condition for being declared the winner in the first round.

But the victory of Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian South, led to riots in the Muslim north.

"Deaths have been reported," particularly in Kano and in the neighboring state of Kaduna, said a security official, Yushau Shuaib, unable to give a more accurate assessment.

In a country marked by deep divisions and regional community, the rioters burned the house of Vice President Namadi Sambo in Zaria, Kaduna State, and that of the emir of the city, according to one resident.They also released many detainees.

"The protesters burned the residence of the Vice-President, the palace of the emir, before attacking the jail," said Mahmud Aliyu by telephone.

The first violence erupted Sunday after the vote, provoked by accusations of fraud against the camp of Mr. Jonathan.

Monday, they were still burning in Kano, the second largest city, and had won Jos in the Centre, and other cities.

In Kano, mobs armed with clubs, knives and boards faced soldiers, a shopping center was burned and shops and schools were closed.A curfew twenty-four hours was imposed in the neighboring state of Kaduna.

The crowd supported Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim North unsuccessful rival for the presidency of Jonathan, also attacked two suspected Christians.

In the city of Potiskum in Yobe State, north-east, witnesses reported that the crowd had tried to sacrifice a Christian passing a flaming tire around the neck but she was saved by residents.

"Young people set fires in the streets and burning the houses of supporters of the ruling party. Soldiers were called.The streets are deserted except for the demonstrators, "said one resident, Kabiru Usman.

Violence has also been reported in the cities of Kaduna, Zaria and Sokoto in the north, and Jos in the Centre, which marks the frontier between Christian and Muslim majorities and scene of frequent sectarian violence.

The main opposition party, Congress for Democratic Change which Mr.Buhari was the candidate has formally objected to the irregularities of the presidential result.

These accusations are contained in a complaint sent to the electoral commission said the party chairman, Tony Momoh.

Before the end of the count, the commission on Monday gave an advance Goodluck Jonathan as he is assured of winning. He came first in 22 of the 36 states of the federation with more than 21 million votes against 9,000,000 for Mr. Buhari, former head of a military junta in 1984-1985.

Although in general, observers judged the election on Saturday more honest than previous results in abnormally high for Mr.Jonathan, in its strongholds of South Christian, have cast doubt: the state of Akwa Ibom State gave him 95% of the vote and that of Bayelsa, his home state, 99.63%.

"Such figures above 95% seem invented and raise serious questions about the credibility of the election," said Jibrin Ibrahim of the NGO Centre for Democracy and Development.

These results confirmed a clear division between the pro-Muslim north and Christian south Buhari pro-Jonathan.

In the North, many hoped a victory by Mr.Buhari, 69, to revive a North economically marginalized by the oil rich south of the country's most populous country.

Goodluck Jonathan, 53, is a candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) won the first round every presidential since the end of military rule in 1999.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Yemen: President Ali Abdallah Saleh is increasingly isolated

Leaders of the Yemeni army announced Monday their rally to protest against President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has assured the people that supported him despite calls for redoubled his departure.

In addition, the main tribal leader, Sheikh Sadek al-Ahmar, asked President Saleh, in power for 32 years to retire, adding its voice to those of traditional and religious leaders, whose role is critical in this poor country 24 million inhabitants.

Two regions commanders, General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, head of the north-east which includes the capital Sanaa, and General Mohammed Ali Mohsen, head of Eastern Military District, declared themselves in favor of the protesters.

Their defections were the first of this magnitude in the ranks of the army, and two other generals: Nasser Ali Chouaibi in south-east, and Faisal Rajab, in the south.

Despite these defections, President Saleh, 68, said the "majority of the people" supports it.

"The vast majority of people with Yemeni security, stability and constitutional legality.And those who call for chaos, violence, hatred and sabotage are a tiny minority, "assured the president to Sanaa.

Previously, General al-Ahmar, from the most influential tribe in the country, had accused Al-Jazeera the head of state to "repress peaceful protesters" and "push the country towards civil war".

In Sanaa, dozens of officers have announced their allegiance to a crowd of protesters who braved still on the University Square a ban on demonstrations to demand the departure of President Saleh.

In the morning, tanks were deployed in the center of the capital, especially around the presidential palace, the seat of the ruling General People's Congress (GPC), the Department of Defense and the Central Bank.

In Aden (south), the second largest city, General Chouaibi has supported the protest, along with 60 officers of the province of Hadramout and 50 officers from the Ministry of Interior. And the governor of the province, Ahmad Qaatabi, submitted his resignation.

These rallies to protest came as the tribal leader, Sheikh Sadek al-Ahmar, President Saleh has asked to "avoid bloodshed and to opt for a graceful exit."

His defection adds to those of regime officials who have propagated these days, forcing the president Saleh to sack the government on Sunday night, after the resignation of three ministers.

According to the official news agency Saba, M.Saleh has asked his cabinet to "caretaker until the establishment of a new government."

The ambassadors of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Ali al-ahwal, and Kuwait, Sheikh Khaled Rajeh, also announced on Monday to join the protest movement against President Saleh.

Five ambassadors of Yemen in Europe have written to President Saleh to ask him to resign, according to the Yemeni ambassador in France, Khaled al-Akwa.

The departure of President Saleh is "indispensable" found on his side the French Minister of Foreign Affairs Alain Juppe.

The dispute has gained momentum after the death of 52 people killed in an attack Friday against protesters in Sanaa.The killings attributed to supporters of the regime marked the bloodiest day since the end of January in protest.

This massacre was sentenced Monday by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, visiting Cairo. "The Yemeni government has an obligation to protect civilians," Ban said, supporting a "comprehensive dialogue".

Thursday, March 17, 2011

BAHRAIN: Curfew eased in Manama, despite the intensification of repression

AFP - The Bahraini authorities have eased the curfew in the center of Manama, which will now be imposed from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. local time (5:00 p.m. to 1:00 GMT), said Thursday on state television.

The curfew was declared Wednesday between 4:00 p.m. (1300 GMT) and 4:00 (0100 GMT) in the areas of Manama with known events, including the replacement of the Pearl and the financial district.

Banks and many shops remained closed Thursday in Manama, as well as schools until further notice, while troops were stationed in the financial district where most of international companies.

The movement was fluid in the capital, just days after the proclamation of a state of emergency for three months by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the kingdom shaken by a growing protest the plan.

The Bahraini security forces had stormed Wednesday against protesters Shiites observing a sit-in on the Place de la Perle in Manama, and five people were killed.

Monday, February 14, 2011

FOOTBALL: "Ronaldo has voluntarily placed his health after his performance"

In his book "Doping in football, the law of silence" (Editions Jean-Claude Gawsewitch), Jean-Pierre Mondenard explains that multiple injuries are mainly caused by Ronaldo taken doping products, especially early in his career. This sports doctor said the actions of a player who scored the game forever, the first day of retirement of the "Fenomeno". Maintenance.

France24.com: In your book, you advance the idea of a causal link between multiple injuries and Ronaldo enhancing drugs - including anabolic steroids - he would have eaten. The player pays he now mistakes of yesterday?

Jean-Pierre Mondenard: This is not the man that I criticize in my book, but the system that allowed him to continue playing football while his body could not keep up.I have examples of players known to the readers better identify the phenomenon, but it is this system which, on one side, advocates zero tolerance and the other, who cares, I condemn .

If Ronaldo is special because, at age 17, when arrived at PSV Eindhoven, he was already a star. At the time, a Brazilian doctor suspected of having the player on steroids to gain weight. But if his muscles have grown in thickness, the resistance of the tendons, it does not increase.However, it was an explosive player who made the difference in the first three meters, a type of displacement in which the tendons are very busy ...

In addition, young players regularly suffer from Osgood Schlatter's disease [wear area of the patellar tendon attaches to the upper end of tibia, Ed]. In the case of Ronaldo, it is possible that taking the anabolic has increased, which led the player to undergo three operations of the patellar tendon.

You insist on the fact that it is the medical profession who pushed Ronaldo to take medication to ease his pain. You give the example of including the 1998 World Cup where he was seized with convulsions before playing the final.A doctor would have done infiltration, just minutes before the match. Is this symptomatic of football?

J.-PM: No doubt. Even the referees are taking doping agents to take over games ... There is also a drift in the medical profession in the sporting world. For a product to be considered doping, it must meet three criteria. First, the substance used to increase the performance of one who takes it. Second, it is dangerous to health and, thirdly, it is contrary to medical ethics.Thus, an injection to cure his problems for Ronaldo tendon few minutes before a game is decidedly unethical: only the rest can cure this problem. Like most young football players that I meet, Ronaldo has voluntarily placed his health after his performance. They always end up regretting it.

Ronaldo said he suffered for several years with hypothyroidism, a disorder of the thyroid. How do you explain it?

J.-PM: It is standard for athletes to use thyroid hormone to lose weight. Ronaldo, who was nicknamed "the big," he surely had to use such products which do not appear on the list of doping products and is very common in gyms.Taking any hormone destabilizes the hormonal system. It is therefore possible that taking too many hormones during a period, Ronaldo had led her thyroid gland to stop secreting the one that stabilizes the weight.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: The Serb Novak Djokovic wins his second title in Melbourne

AFP - Serbia's Novak Djokovic, world No.3, won his second Grand Slam title, again at the Australian Open where he won in 2008, beating with authority on Sunday's final edition 2011 Britain's Andy Murray, world No.5, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.

Finalist U.S. Open last September, won the Davis Cup in December, the Serb said himself in practicing this time his "best tennis". Since his first major title in Melbourne three years ago, Nola + + has grown in thickness, adding to its warlike a form of insurance and tranquility in the decisive moments.

Thus, on his way to the title in Melbourne, he had ruled Thursday in the semifinals Defending champion Roger Federer, world No.2, in three sets dry.If Djokovic refused to see a handover, it seems to have filled much of the gap that separated him from the Swiss legend and World No.1 Rafael Nadal.

During this fortnight Australian, Serbian has crashed while on its way, only losing one set in the second round against the unknown Croatian Ivan Dodig. A hiccup.

Murray took a similar path but have not seemed well on Sunday night. Great disappointment for the Scots, who lost his third Grand Slam final, his second in a row at Melbourne.

Defeated last year by Federer 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13/11), he regretted to see the match as quickly scroll.It has not been otherwise Sunday.

The United Kingdom still awaits his first major title since Fred Perry in 1936, and Murray, valid only hope the country will never cease to be alone all the pressure.

Murray loses foot

Both players 23 years old, born a week apart in May 1987, issued their long-standing friendship Sunday evening on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic had announced that the game would be key to the service, to hitters in this duel tireless. He was right: with 68% success on his first ball, against 53% for Murray, he left with a certain advantage.

The first set was played three times nothing.It can be put into the abyss in this amazing exchange of 38 shots, at 5-4, 30-15 for Djokovic, Murray service.

Both players were hitting their fill but Djokovic had the final word thanks to a forehand more incisive. He offered himself and two set points and converted the first.

The Serb was gaining confidence, returning more in the short and abusing Murray. The Scot lost his footing and cashed five games in a row twice by committing more mistakes than its opponent.

Murray reacts during the third inning, knocking the service Djokovic repeatedly climbing more particularly at the net. But never does the Serb was falling behind, and he stood out even lead to 5-3, capitalizing on the mistakes of Columbia.

He finally concluded a final 2:37 of play that has not really fulfilled its promise of hard fighting.

Friday, January 28, 2011

FRANCE: "Carlos Ghosn could not remove all the shadows that loom over the Renault affair"

The CEO of Renault was first expressed on Sunday about the espionage case that shook his group. To log 20 hours of TF1 and the Journal du Dimanche, he said he was sure of the merits of the dismissal of three executives suspected of disclosing sensitive information on the program of electric vehicles from Renault. Didier Heiderich, president of the International Observatory of crises, and author of "Crisis Management Plan" (ed.Dunod, October 2010) deciphers for FRANCE 24, the communication strategy of the boss of Renault-Nissan.

France 24: Carlos Ghosn Delivering the Sunday TV news TF1 did she believe?
Didier Heiderich: The CEO of Renault did not err and we felt that every word was weighed upstream of the interview. Carlos Ghosn managed to get his message was far from clear: Renault is sure of his facts and acted within the bounds of ethics.

Still, I stayed on my hunger. The whole lacked content. Given the circumstances, it was mission impossible anyway.Renault can not say anything because a criminal investigation is underway, and the case touches on a strategic issue for the group. In addition, the authorities are very likely when it comes to Franco-Chinese relations. So, Carlos Ghosn was in vain that he had certainty, the evidence is still awaited. And lack of evidence gives rise to speculation.

France 24: Do you think that Carlos Ghosn was wrong to speak?
DH: When he came on the plateau by TF1, one felt that he wanted to speak on the issue. In this sense he was right. Nevertheless, Carlos Ghosn took a big risk by talking like that certainty.There is a basic principle of crisis communication: it must not be contradicted by the facts.

It remains that this whole thing is surrounded by a halo of "barbouzerie. What happens if a serious investigation calls into question the relationship with the Chinese industrial espionage? Thereby taking the floor, Carlos Ghosn is exposed. If the theory of industrial espionage falls into the water, its reputation could suffer. The televised speech raises the question of whether to speak when we can not support all of its assertions.

France 24: The controversial dismissal of three executives from Renault now goes back almost three weeks, speaking of Carlos Ghosn is reached it not late?
DH: He spoke after the attack against the three executives charged and fired. In this context, it began to be important for the management of Renault speaks. He must know that the CEO of a group of this size rarely speaks in public. So the question is, who addressed Carlos Ghosn? As the company has been challenged by its former employees, this intervention is not only to the general public but also an operation of internal communication to reassure employees and shareholders of Renault.