Senegalese are voting today in controversial polls characterised by sometimes violent protests against the candidacy of incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade who has ruled the country for 12 years. The opposition say he is barred by the constitution from running for a third term. However the country's highest court cleared him to run ruling the term limit did not have retroactive effect hence excluded his first term. Turnout has been massive.
Salone faces maritime threat
A joint maritime commission yesterday revealed there has been increased threat to Sierra Leone’s maritime security, noting that with the discovery of oil and the shipments of iron ore, the country could be a target for organised criminal gangs.
Oil discovery offshore Sierra Leone
Tullow Oil plc (Tullow) announces that the Jupiter-1 exploration well in Block SL-07B-11 offshore Sierra Leone has successfully encountered hydrocarbons.
African Petroleum hits offshore Liberia
African Petroleum Corp. has made a hit offshore Liberia with the drilling of the Narina-1 well on Block LB-09.
$20, 000 for RADIO MODCAR
Plan International has committed twenty thousand United States dollars ($20,000) to support the work of the Moyamba District Children’s Awareness Radio (MODCAR), a community radio it set up in February 2005.
Koroma forced out Schulenburg
The Reuters News agency has reported that President Ernest Bai Koroma pressured the United Nations into withdrawing the Executive Representative of the UN Secretary General, Michael Von Der Schulenberg ahead of the 17 November elections, quoting a letter said to have been written by Mr Schulenberg. See full Reuters story below by Simon Akam.
