Yebo Gogo - (http://americanafrican.blogspot.com/2006/02/mbeki-no-third-term.html) comments on Thabo Mbeki’s decision not to run for a third term.

“I think history will view Thabo Mbeki kindly. South Africa's president had had to fill seemingly unfillable shoes when he took over from Nelson Mandela, but he's turning out to be as good - and in many cases, better - as Mandela”

Unfortunately Mbeki stands alone amongst African leaders on this issue. Chippla - Chppla (http://chippla.blogspot.com/2006/02/mbeki-obasanjo-and-third-term.html) writes that unlike Mbeki, President Obasanjo has been conspicuous by his refusal to deny claims that he intends to run for a third term despite overwhelming public opposition.

“The option of a third term for the president has been dropped down as one of the key issues to be discussed over an amendment to the Nigerian constitution. This move was taken by the Parliamentary committee charged with overseeing the review of the constitution. Without a doubt, strong public opposition must have had a hand in this. Mr. Obasanjo, who is undoubtedly out of touch with the reality on the ground in Nigeria, must have been very surprised by the legions of people who strongly opposed an amendment to the Nigerian constitution to allow him to stay in office a day longer than that allowed for by the constitution.”

He concludes that Mbeki could do Nigerians a favour by teaching him how to answer questions.

Zimbabwean Pundit - Zimpundit (http://zimpundit.blogspot.com/2006/02/quiet-diplomacy-disquietly-unravel...) also has an Mbeki story. This time it concerns the bi-lateral relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe. In an interview Mbeki admitted “that he failed to normalise relations between Zimbabwe’s feuding political parties”. Zimpundit also questions the timing of the admission.

“The timing of Mbeki's admission of failure comes at a rather curious juncture given that rumors are rife that South Africa's government has ordered an immediate embargo on fuel and electricity exports to Zimbabwe.”

Africa Unchained - Africa Unchained (http://africaunchained.blogspot.com/2006/02/saga-of-failure-africa-union...) comments on an article by Wilf Mbanga “The African Union: Whats in a name?”

“Africans are angered by the continued unwillingness of African rulers to deal with human rights issues. The fact that they held the latest summit in Sudan in the first place shows their disdain for human rights," said Lovemore Madhuku, chairman of Zimbabwe's National Constitutional Assembly. "The fact that they are passing the African Union chairmanship to a coup leader in Congo makes them laughable. Where do Africans turn now?”

The Moor Next Door - Moor Next Door (http://wahdah.blogspot.com/2006/02/lebanese-burn-danish-embassy.html) comments on the riots and destruction taking place in Lebanon over the Prophet Mohammed cartoons that has developed into anti-Christian violence.

“What is very troubling is that the protestors did not even stop at destroying the Danish embassy, they stoned the St. Maron Maronite church and destroyed property in a Christian neighborhood. It seems just to be mindless violence, overtaking any reasonable thought or condition. The violence against the Christian church and neighborhood likely stems from the longstanding inter-communal tension in Lebanon, and the "cartoon crisis" has probably not done much to alleviate these.”

Sub-ZeroBlue - Sub-Zero Blue (http://www.subzeroblue.com/archives/2006/02/no_to_violent_respon.html) also comments on the violence which he writes is continuing despite calls by Imams and religious leaders to stop.

“I too would like to strongly condemn these attacks and say that they are totally unacceptable. Violence is never a solution to anything. It just complicates things more and adds fuel to the fire.
This is not the way Islam, our religion of peace, tells us to respond! These violent reactions harm our religion more than the cartoons or any disrespect the west could show! This has to stop!”

Black Looks - Black Looks (http://okrasoup.typepad.com/black_looks/2006/02/cameroon_tabloi.html) reports on the campaign by Cameroon tabloids to out prominent people who they claim are homosexual. Already some 50 people have been named in the witchhunt.

“The campaign, by what can only be described as ‘gutter press’, amounts to a witch hunt, a violation of human rights and an invasion of privacy. The suffering of LGBT people is occurring all over Africa. Everyone who is a defender of human rights needs to join together with the LGBT community in a show of progressive African solidarity.”

* Sokari Ekine produces the blog Black Looks, http://okrasoup.typepad.com/black_looks

* Please send comments to [email protected]