OLU IBEKWE

A free trade agreement was signed this Wednesday, March 21 between forty-four African countries. A Continental Free Trade Area (Zlec) has therefore been created. For the African Union, this agreement is essential for the economic development of the continent. Moussa Faki, chairman of the AU Commission said, in conclusion of a summit of the organization in the Rwandan capital ” The agreement establishing the Zlec was signed by 44 countries “. One of the most powerful economies, Nigeria, abstained in the signing of this agreement. To give more time for consultations in his country, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari decided not to go to Kigali. In Nigeria, there is some opposition to this agreement. In addition to Nigeria, there are Eritrea, Burundi, Namibia and Sierra Leone. Protectionist countries, like Algeria, signed the agreement. The African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat who disclosed the number of signatories to the African Continental Fr...

On the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrated this March 8 around the world, several voices are rising to claim better places for women. In most countries, it is difficult to find a parity. But in Africa , there is one exception: Rwanda. With more than 61% of women in the Chamber of Deputies, the country is at the top of the world rankings. A country that remains a model in several fields. But in the case of women’s representation in the Assembly, it is a reference case. While they already had a respectable place in some key institutions, women saw their numbers increase in recent elections in 2013.  Of the 80 seats in the Rwandan Parliament, 51 are occupied by women. Since 2008, Rwanda has been at the top of the IPU (Interparliamentary Union) world ranking of women in national parliaments. An important place reserved for women which is the fruit of several initiatives taken for decades. After the 1994 genocide that killed 800,000 people , s...