CNBC Africa News Wrap
Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:51G8
We begin in Japan where the Group of Eight has agreed to seek U.N. sanctions against Zimbabwe. This follows a violent election that extended President Robert Mugabe's 28-year rule. The summit is due to issue a formal statement on the political crisis in the southern African country after discussing the issue over dinner. Seven African leaders invited to the first day of the G8 summit have expressed reservations about sanctions.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who is also head of the African Union has told President George W. Bush that there is still room for discussions to end the crisis. An African Union summit issued a resolution last week calling for talks leading to a national unity government in Zimbabwe.
CLIMATE
Staying in Japan, world leaders say they will aim to set a global target of cutting carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2050 in an effort to tackle global warming. It strengthens last year's G8 pledge to "seriously consider" the cuts. But the US has refused to set any interim targets for cutting emissions and environmentalists have criticised the progress at talks as "pathetic". Five of the world's biggest emerging economies says the G8 should increase its targets to more than 80% by 2050. They have urged developed countries to commit to an interim target of a 25-40% cut below 1990 levels by 2020.
Climate change has been one of the stickiest issues tackled at the summit in Japan, with divisions over what targets should be set and what would be expected of developing countries. The G8 statement repeats last year's "vision" to reach the target of cutting emissions by at least 50% by 2050 - but this time adds that the effort must be global. It also acknowledges that to make progress, G8 countries have to take the lead through ambitious interim goals and national plans.
ZIMBABWE
In Zimbabwe there are reports that Mugabe's ruling party and the opposition will resume talks under the mediation of South African President Thabo Mbeki. The country's opposition Movement for Democratic Change says they are committed to a negotiated settlement but that a negotiated settlement has to come within the context of the resolution of the African Union and SADC.
MILIBAND
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has thrown his weight behind a campaign for Africa to have a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. The 15-member Security Council currently has only 5 permanent members with African nations occupying non-permanent seats in two year terms only. Miliband is in South Africa for the eighth South Africa-UK Forum. Zimbabwe is expected to top the agenda during talks between Miliband and South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. Miliband is also due to meet with ruling party ANC leaders in Johannesburg later in his trip.
KENYA
Kenyan Finance Minister Amos Kimunya is stepping down during an investigation into the controversial sale of a luxury Nairobi hotel. Kimunya says he has asked President Mwai Kibaki to allow him to step down "to facilitate this inquiry." The resignation is being treated as a temporary move only. The controversy over the sale of the hotel has split the coalition cabinet formed to end weeks of violence after Kenya's presidential election. Kimunya is a close ally of President Kibaki.
A government inquiry led by the attorney general last week recommended that Kimunya be suspended. Parliament also passed a vote of no-confidence in him. Kimunya has denied reports that the hotel was sold to a local company with Libyan interests for a third of its value. The hotel was allegedly sold for about $45 million instead of its recorded value of $115 million.
Kimunya implicated Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other officials who he says were privy to the sale of the hotel. The Prime Minister has led investigations into the hotel sale. In the past, donors have accused Mr Kibaki of failing to keep promises to tackle the rampant corruption in Kenya.
