Africa Report

Rwanda President Paul Kagame has said that the death penalty is an ineffective form of punishment and also denies the accused the fundamental right to life. Kagame told the Regional Conference on the Abolition or Moratorium on the Execution of the Death Penalty on October 13 that he does not believe the legal taking away of life really provides the most effective deterrent, to offer enough substantial evidence to "tie us to this form of punishment." The conference was co-organized by the Rwandan Government and Hands off Cain, an international NGO that advocates for the abolition of the death penalty.

 Ready to Dial

South Sudan

South Sudan has become the 193rd and youngest member state of the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and got its international dialing code, according to UN officials. South Sudan has already been allocated the international dialing code +211 by ITU.

 End Harmful Practices

Africa

The African Union (AU) said there is urgent need to mobilize AU member states and all concerned parties including religious leaders to embark on social actions with a view of eradicating harmful traditional practices (HTPs) in Africa. AU organized a pan-African conference in early October, aimed at strengthening efforts of fighting against HTPs and promotion of the rights of women and girls. It hopes to celebrate achievement and courage, promote positive cultural values and overcome barriers to combating HTPs. According to AU, HTPs include female genital mutilation, early marriage, taboos or practices which prevent women from controlling their own fertility and other harmful practices against women and girls.

 Book Marks Diplomatic Ties

Nigeria

Victor Nwaozichi Chibundu, former Nigerian Ambassador to China, unveiled his new book 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relationship Between Nigeria and China recently in Lagos. The former ambassador said he wanted to document the status of the relationship of the two countries for posterity, for the future and for record purposes. He also hoped China could continue to shore up support and investment in Nigeria's infrastructure and market.

 Transparency in Economy

Libya

Libya's ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) will treat transparency as a priority in its future economic work in the war-torn country, according to NTC oil and finance chief Ali Tarhouni. Tarhouni said they will publish a 150-page report on the financial situation of the executive office which shows the usage of every penny of its revenues.

 Growth Outlook cut

China

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), a major government think tank, cut China's growth estimate for 2011 to 9.4 percent from a previous forecast of 9.6 percent. In its latest macroeconomic report, the think tank forecast that fixed-asset investment will grow 23.8 percent this year and consumption will rise by 17 percent.

 IAC Honors

China

Two Chinese experts were awarded with international honors at the 62nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in South Africa in early October. Liu Jiyuan was given the Von Karman Award, the highest such prize presented by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA). It was the first time a Chinese expert was awarded such an honor. Wang Liheng, was presented with the Mykhailo Yangel Medal. The award honors those who make great contributions to space rocket development and the international cooperation of space exploration.

Numbers

550 million tons

2011 expected grain output in China

50 %
China's planned reduction of leprosy patients over the next 10 years

$7.8million

A total of aid China's Red Cross Society will provide to Libya

5%+

The economy of sub-Saharan Africa to growin 2011-12