Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa seeks end to Western sanctions

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14/12/2017

Emmerson Mnangagwa at Zanu-PF central committee - 14 December — Image caption Emmerson Mnangagwa said elections were “nearer than you expect”

Zimbabwe’s new President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking the removal of sanctions imposed by Western countries, saying they are crippling national development.

He also indicated that elections due next July could be brought forward.

Speaking to governing Zanu-PF party leaders, Mr Mnangagwa said the government would do everything to make sure they were credible, free and fair.

Mr Mnangagwa became president last month after Robert Mugabe was ousted.

Mr Mnangagwa is expected to be endorsed on Friday as party leader and presidential candidate for Zanu-PF at the elections.

Mr Mugabe, 93, has not been seen in public since he was forced out of office by the military after 37 years in power.

However, former spokesman George Charamba said he had flown to Singapore for a routine medical check-up.

A United States travel and economic embargo remains in place for several Zanu-PF officials, senior members of the military and state-owned companies.

The Trump administration has said the sanctions will not be removed unless political reforms take place.

The European Union continues an arms embargo as well as sanctions against Mr Mugabe, his wife Grace and the firm Zimbabwe Defence Industries.

Image copyright AFP

Image caption Mr Mugabe has not been seen in public since he was ousted

“We call for the unconditional lifting of the political and economic sanctions, which have crippled our national development,” Mr Mnangagwa told party leaders in central Harare.

“We realise that isolation is not splendid or viable as there is more to gain through solidarity; mutually beneficial partnerships.”

The president also said that elections were “nearer than you expect”.

Note: This story is auto-generated from ‘BBC News’ syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.

Group Calls For Patriotism And Selflessness To End Hate Speech in Nigeria

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Nancy

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14/12/2017

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By Joseph Edegbo

Kaduna (Nigeria)– Nigerians have been urged to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and selflessness to avoid hate and dangerous speeches in the country.

The advise is contained in a communique issued at the end of a one- day Public Sensitization on Hate and Dangerous Speeches organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development CITAD held in Kaduna, north west of the country.

The Communique also stressed the need for justice and fairness to prevail in the society, while those in authority should live exemplary lives and set good benchmarks for others to follow.

Security Agencies, the Communique recommends, should respect the rights of citizens and operate by their positive rules of engagement.

The participants affirmed that no religion preaches violence and hatred among people hence the need for clerics to strictly avoid the use of hate speeches in their preaching.

They suggested constant and synergetic collaboration among various peace stakeholders in Nigeria and the need for politicians to be seen to respect moral and societal ethics by avoiding any speech that is capable of mobilizing people to acts of violence especially, as the nation approaches the 2019 General elections.

CITAD is an NGO which raises awareness and enlighten the public on the consequences arising from hate and dangerous speeches..

Participants at the forum were drawn from the CSOs, Media, Students Union, religious leaders and traditional rulers.

Roy Moore says Alabama election ‘tainted’ by outside groups

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Africaprimenews

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14/12/2017

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Roy Moore says he will not accept defeat in Alabama’s election, arguing the vote was “tainted” by outside groups trying to stay in power.

In a four-minute video on YouTube, the hardline Republican lashed out after Democrat Doug Jones claimed victory in Tuesday’s election.

Mr Moore railed against gay rights, abortion, and “the right of a man to claim to be a woman and vice versa”.

Democrats will hold the Alabama senate seat for the first time in 25 years.

Media captionWhy did Black Alabamians vote for Doug Jones?

“We are indeed in a struggle to preserve our republic, our civilisation and our religion,” Mr Moore said in fire-and-brimstone remarks.

The election race, he claimed, was “tainted by over $50 million from outside groups who want to retain power and their corrupt ideology”.

The Christian conservative ex-judge also said the American people “no longer recognise the universal truth that God is the author of our life and liberty”.

“Abortion, sodomy and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” he added, referring to a famous passage in the US Declaration of Independence.

Media captionWhat the Alabama upset will mean for Donald Trump’s agenda

Mr Moore crashed to defeat after he was engulfed by multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including child molestation.

“In this race,” he said, “we have not received the final count to include military and provisional ballots.”

He added that he was awaiting final certification of the results.

Mr Jones won 49.9% of the vote compared to Mr Moore’s 48.4%, a margin of nearly 21,000 votes out of 1.3 million cast, US media report.

Alabama’s secretary of state has said overseas ballots can continue to come in until Tuesday next week.

But he said it was “highly unlikely” the Democrat will not be formally declared the winner.

Note: This story is auto-generated from BBC syndicated feed and has not been edited by AFRICA PRIME NEWS

African Champions League draw completed

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Africaprimenews

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14/12/2017

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Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca beat Al Ahly of Egypt to win the 2017 African Champions League

Wydad Casablanca of Morocco will begin the defence of their African Champions League title against either Mali’s Stade Malien or newcomers Williamsville AC of Ivory Coast.

As the reigning champions, Wydad are one of five teams to be given a bye into the second round of the tournament, which begins in March.

Beaten finalists in 2017 Al Ahly of Egypt and DR Congo’s Confederation Cup winners TP Mazembe are also straight into the second round.

The other teams to skip the first round are the 2016 African champions Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa and Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel, who lifted the trophy in 2007.

The 16 winners of the second round ties will advance to the group stage of the tournament.

For the first time ever Zambia had two teams in the draw with Zanaco, who reached the group stage in 2017 drawn to play Gambia Armed Forces, while Zesco United will play Zanzibar’s JKU SC.

The 2018 Champions League will begin on the weekend of 9-11 February with the two-leg final set for November.

A change in the calendar for the Confederation of African Football means that the next Champions Leagues will begin in December 2018 and run through to May 2019.

After the 2019 final the competition will be held from August or September through to May of the next year.

2018 African Champions League draw

First Round:

St George (Ethiopia) v Al Salam (South Sudan)
CNaPS (Madagascar) v Kampala Capital City Authority (Uganda)
Zanaco (Zambia) v Gambia Armed Forces (Gambia)
Bantu FC (Lesotho) v Mbabane Swallows (Swaziland)
Stade Malien (Mali) v Williamsville AC (Ivory Coast)
Al Tahadi (Libya) v Aduana Stars (Ghana)
Entente Setif (Algeria) v Olympic Real Bangui (Central African Republic)
Real Bamako (Mali) v MFM FC (Nigeria)
AS Otoho (Congo) v Mouloudia Alger (Algeria)
AS Fan (Niger) v Horoya (Guinea)
Generation Foot (Senegal) v Misr Makassa (Egypt)
Young Africans (Tanzania) v St Louis (Seychelles)
Township Rollers (Botswana) v Al Merreikh (Sudan)
Gor Mahia (Kenya) v Leones Vegetarianos (Equatorial Guinea)
ASAC Concorde (Mauritania) v Esperance (Tunisia)
Plateau United (Nigeria) v Eding Sport (Cameroon)
AC Leopards (Congo) v AS Port Lome (Togo)
LISCR FC (Liberia) v Al Hilal (Sudan)
JKU SC (Zanzibar) v Zesco United (Zambia)
Benin representative v Asec Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
Ngaya Club (Comoros Islands) v UD Songo (Mozambique)
DH El Jadidi (Morocco) v Benfica (Guinea Bissau)
AS Vita Club (DR Congo) v Be Forward Wanderers (Malawi)
Primeiro Agosto (Angola) v FC Platinum (Zimbabwe)
Bidvest Wits (South Africa) v Pamplemousse SC (Mauritius)
Rayon Sports (Rwanda) v Lydia Ludic Burundi Academic (Burundi)

Second round (teams in bold given a bye):

St George or Al Salam v CNaPS or Kampala Capital City Authority
Zanaco or Gambia Armed Forces v Bantu FC or Mbabane Swallows
Wydad Casablanca (Morocco, holders)v Stade Malien or Williamsville AC
Al Tahadi or Aduana Stars v Entente Setif or Olympic Real Bangui
Al Ahly (Egypt)v CF Mounana or RC Kadiogo
Real Bamako or MFM FC v AS Otoho or Mouloudia Alger
AS Fan or Horoya v Generation Foot or Misr Makassa
Young Africans or St Louis v Township Rollers or Al Merreikh
Gor Mahia or Leones Vegetarianos v ASAC Concorde or Esperance
Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia) v Plateau United or Eding Sport
AC Leopards or AS Port Lome v LISCR FC or Al Hilal
JKU SC or Zesco United v Benin representative or Asec Abidjan
TP Mazembe (DR Congo)v Ngaya Club or UD Songo
DH El Jadidi or Benfica v AS Vita Club or Be Forward Wanderers
Primeiro Agosto or FC Platinum v Bidvest Wits or Pamplemousse SC
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)v Rayon Sports or Lydia Ludic Burundi Academic

Note: This story is auto-generated from ‘BBC News’ syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.

Tottenham 2-0 Brighton: Serge Aurier goal was a cross – Chris Hughton

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Africaprimenews

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14/12/2017

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Brighton manager Chris Hughton believes Serge Aurie’s goal was a cross and a poor one to concede as the Seagulls lose 2-0 away at Tottenham.

MATCH REPORT: Tottenham 2-0 Brighton

Watch all the midweek Premier League goals on Match of the Day, Wednesday at 22:45 GMT on BBC One and the BBC Sport website & app.

Note: This story is auto-generated from ‘BBC News’ syndicated feed and has not been edited by Africa Prime News staff.

Eric Bailly: Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho says defender’s ankle injury is ‘serious’

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Africaprimenews

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14/12/2017

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Eric Bailly was the first player to sign for Manchester United after Jose Mourinho took over as manager

Manchester United defender Eric Bailly may need surgery on a “serious” ankle injury, says manager Jose Mourinho.

The 23-year-old centre-back, who Mourinho said was injured while on international duty with the Ivory Coast, has not played for United since the defeat at Chelsea on 5 November.

He is not expected to miss the rest of the season.

“I don’t want to be so pessimistic. I want to leave it with a doctor,” said Mourinho.