They include MTN which the largest service provider in Cameroon.

None of the internet providers is prepared to speak about the action taken in 20 percent of Cameroon.

A condition of their being granted licenses in many African countries is that they obey government instructions to cut any services.

Last year no fewer than 11 African governments ordered internet companies to cut off services.

More than a fortnight ago, Cameroon ordered companies to cut services to parts of the country where there have been protests against the French-language dominated government’s marginalisation of people from Anglophone regions.

The government wants to stop protestors using WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to spread word of their campaigns.

The post Internet companies won’t talk about heeding Cameroon government call for cutting off service appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Returning from Abuja he says when Africa’s two giants stand and walk the rest of the continent  will follow suit.

ends intro

The media highlight of President Jacob Zuma’s visit to Nigeria was his host Muhammad Buhari accusing South African telecoms company MTN of aiding Boko Haram terrorist by failing to delist unused SIM cards.

Nevertheless, Zuma’s inveterately put a positive spin on his trip which included an address to both houses of parliament – something that’s not been done since then US President Bill Clinton 16 years ago.

Zuma says progress has been made in cooperation on trade and investment, defense and security, immigration, energy and mineral resources between the two countries.

The binational commission has been elevated to a presidential level.

The post Zumba says relations with Nigeria have been taken to a higher level appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Fuel shortages have brought Nigeria to standstill days before Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration.

Goodluck Jonathan’s legacy will be that he averted a political crisis in Nigeria by quickly conceding defeat in elections against Muhamadu Buhari two months ago.

The new president’s All Progressives Congress cites record lows in electricity production, multiple strikes and billions of dollars in unpaid debts as evidence that Jonathan is deliberately leaving Africa’s largest economy in a mass.

MTN and other telecoms firms have base stations relying on generators for power because of poor or non-existent supply from the electricity grid.

They’re saying the shortage of diesel threatens to collapse their networks.

Local aircraft are grounded and international flights are being diverted to find aviation fuel.

The post Goodluck Jonathan leaves Nigeria in chaos appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

At one point the Abuja government was reportedly considering severing diplomatic ties in the mistaken belief that the xenophobic violence is specifically aimed at Nigerians in South Africa.

Nigeria recalled its Acting High Commissioner Martin Cobham and Deputy High Commissioner Uche Ajulu-Okeke . It’s the latest sign of African countries’ discontent at South Africa’s handling of attacks on immigrants.

The statement by Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Ministry states that the action, which is the strongest form of protest short of cutting diplomatic ties, is in connection with the on-going xenophobia in South Africa targeting foreigners, mainly African migrants.

Protestors are picketing the South African diplomatic mission in Lagos.

South African firms such as mobile phone giant MTN and supermarket chain Shoprite have significant interests in Nigeria, which is Africa’s largest economy.

The post Nigeria recalls top envoy to South Africa appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s approached his South African counterpart about the matter, but President Jacob Zuma’s spokesman insists he’s not the man who makes decisions on selling weapons.

Nigeria turned to South Africa to acquire weapons to fight Boko Haram terrorists.

An official from that country’s National Security Advisor says an above-board deal was struck with a South African supplier.

But the money sent in payment has been frozen by South Africa’s Assets Forfeiture Unit.

It’s not clear how this relates to the $10 million being held after it was found in the baggage of two Nigerians and an Israeli at Lanseria airport three weeks ago.

The Nigerian official, who’s asked not to be identified, says they may retaliate against South African firms like MTN operating in his country.

The post MTN in Nigerian cross hairs over arms deal row with SA appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

South Africa’s responded officially to the murder of a Moroccan diplomat in Pretoria.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation reflects its serious concern and sadness in a statement expressing condolences to the family and colleagues of Fatmi Noureddine.

The safety of foreign representatives in in South Africa is a priority for the South African government.

The Diplomatic Policing Unit has been beefed up to enable this.

Police have not yet established a motive for the murder of Fatmi Noureddine, who was found by his colleagues on Monday in a pool of blood in a Pretoria guest house.

Neither do they have any suspects at this early stage of their investigation.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says those responsible will be held accountable for this heinous crime.

The post Official SA response to murder of Moroccan envoy appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

The Moroccan embassy in Pretoria is fending off enquiries about the death of consular official Fatmi Noureddine.

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation says that for now the death of Moroccan diplomat Fatmi Noureddine remains a police matter.

SAPS spokesman Neville Malila says they’re looking at the autopsy carried out on Noureddine’s body that was found in a pool of blood by colleagues.

He say they do not at this stage have suspects and the motive for the killing is unknown.

The Moroccan charge d’affaires is away on leave, says an embassy receptionist, adding that there is no one available to take media enquiries.

The post SA police open murder docket on Moroccan envoy appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.