McDonals sets to open outlet in Zimbabwe

The world's biggest Acclaimed fast-food chain, McDonalds, has chosen Zimbabwe as a profitable market for its outlets as the country continues to recover from the economic recession experienced over the last decade.

McDonalds has been persistent on getting into the Zimbabwe since 1999 but was put off by the simmering political and economic instability.

For the last few years some international companies pulled out of Zimbabwe, frustrated by the inclement operating environment which was characterised by hyperinflation and chronic foreign currency shortages.

The foreign currency crunch meant companies could not take out their profits.

However the establishment of a coalition government between President Robert Mugabe and his political rivals helped ease tensions while positive policy interventions such as ditching the Zimbabwe dollar have put the economy on a recovery path.

Attracted by the turnaround, McDonalds is reportedly now ready to move into the country, according to a South African marketing website which quoted the company’s international franchising agency.

However, McDonalds did not deny the report.

Many bservers see the company’s plans to move into the country as a sign of confidence in its economic prospects.

The African continent represents a new frontier for McDonalds which reportedly serves up to 47 million customers across the world but has faced criticism over the healthiness of its products.

McDonalds currently operates in very few African countries led by South Africa, where it has about 132 restaurants.

AFRICA PEACE DAY

This year, Peace Day holds a special significance for every African. In recognition of the importance of addressing the problem of peace and security, the African Union designated 2010 as the ‘Year of Peace and Security’ during the Special Session on the Consideration and Resolution of Conflicts in Africa, held in Tripoli, on 31 August 2009.

The Heads of State and Government collectively made the following pledge: “…We are determined to deal once and for all with the scourge of conflicts and violence on our continent, acknowledging our shortcomings and errors, committing our resources and our best people, and missing no opportunity to push forward the agenda of conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction. We, as leaders, simply cannot bequeath the burden of conflicts to the next generation of Africans.”

In a statement to mark the day, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, said: “Conflict remains a painful reality in different parts of the continent. The human toll is immense, and it is not just the combatants who suffer; in fact, more people, especially women and children, die from the consequences of conflict than from direct conflict-related violence. The economic toll is also devastating, with conservative estimates pointing to a combined economic loss of around $300bn since 1990 by African countries affected by conflict. Indeed, conflict remains one of the greatest impediments to sustainable development in Africa today.

To improve the living standards of our people and eliminate poverty, we must put an end to conflict. Without peace, we cannot eradicate poverty. Put simply, peace is a prerequisite for sustainable development.”

He said: “In the past decade, African leaders have taken major strides to address, in a comprehensive and holistic manner, the challenges of conflict prevention, management and resolution on the continent. Thanks to these efforts, the picture is improving. We have fewer conflicts today than at any time since the mid-1990s; but we cannot rest, and I will not rest, until we have brought peace to every corner of our continent.”

“Our leaders are unreserved in their commitment to achieving peace. However, the pursuit of peace is not the preserve of politicians, national Governments and international organisations alone. Peace must be fostered through innovative and inclusive partnerships at all levels. It is only when all women and men, civil society and the private sector, join hands with Governments and relevant international institutions that permanent peace will be a reality.

The challenge of achieving peace, security and stability across the entire African continent is clearly an undertaking of many years. Nonetheless, the Year of Peace and Security, and Peace Day in particular, offer an unprecedented opportunity for African Governments, citizens and institutions, in partnership with the international community, to come together and work towards a common goal - PEACE.”

Jean Ping said: “Peace Day affords us the chance to take stock and to celebrate our hard won gains, to cherish the peace that we have, and to honour and commemorate those who have dedicated themselves to resolving conflicts and restoring security on our continent - diplomats, peace-keepers, humanitarian agencies, businesses and individuals from every walk of life. All of us have a role to play and a contribution to make to end conflict and to sustain peace.

Peace Day is, therefore, an opportunity for us all - whoever we are and wherever we are - to do something to advance and celebrate peace in our workplaces, in our homes, in our communities, in our nations and on our continent. We each have a duty to make peace happen.”

“Let each one of us today do something to make peace happen – do something to convince those at war that our commitment to peace cannot be reversed, to make them understand that we will not stop until their guns are permanently silenced, until the refugee camps are emptied by people returning home, and until classrooms are filled by children determined to learn and fulfil their limitless potential.”

“I implore each and everyone of you to refrain from violence today and to give our children hope for a better future. I invite you all to do something to make peace happen,” he concluded.

SON OF SLAIN SSS OFFICER PLEADS NOT GUILTY

Son of slain SSS officer pleads not guilty

ELDEST son of the slain assistant director of the State Security Service (SSS) who allegedly murdered his father, mother and three siblings and confessed to the crime yesterday pleaded not guilty to murder charges in a Kano court.

Bello Garba Bello earlier confessed to the police, the SSS and journalists that he was behind the murders.

Standing before a Kano Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting at Gidan Murtala, he pleaded not guilty to the charges when the content of the police’s First Information Report (FIR) was read to him.

Chief Magistrate Khadijah Dahiru Mustapher ordered that the sobbing Bello be unchained and implored him to stop crying and raise his voice.

However, Principal State Counsel Isa Yusuf told the court that the case could not be tried by a magistrate’s court but by a high court. As such, the prosecutor said he had two applications. “I apply for an order of this honourable court to direct the state commissioner of police to send the original case diary to the Attorney General of Kano State for legal advice as to whether he would prefer a charge against the accused or not,” he told the court.

The prosecutor also applied for an order of the court remanding the accused person in prison custody pending the outcome of the advice of the Attorney General of the state. He submitted to the court that his application was brought under Section 147 of the 1999 Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) law of Kano State as amended.

The magistrate therefore granted the two applications, thereby ordering the registrar of the court to write to the commissioner of police to send the original case diary to the Attorney General of the state. The court then ordered for the remand of the accused person in prison custody till October 7 for mention