Morocco's Berbers get TV channel Tamazight, the name of the station, broadcasts in the lingua franca of North Africa's indigenous residents, the Berbers, before the 7th-century Arab conquest of the region. Today it is spoken mainly in rural pockets in Morocco. “We are relying a lot on television,” said Ahmed Boukous, director of IRCAM, the Royal Institute of Amazigh (Berber) Culture, one of the drivers in the fight to have their language recognized alongside the official Arabic. “Our language is threatened and the young generations master it less and less.” The channel, state-funded and controlled, went on air this month. Seventy percent of its content will be in one of the three dialects of the Amazigh language, which UNESCO has classified as “endangered.” Algeria starts Sonatrach corruption probe The Algerian authorities are investigating corruption allegations against Mohamed Meziane, the chief executive of Sonatrach, the state oil company, and other members of its management team. Chakib Khelil, the oil minister said that Mr Meziane had been temporarily replaced by one of his deputies, Abdelhafid Feghouli, who is the company’s vice president for downstream operations. Algeria’s Sonatrach to boost investment by 41% – Mar-17 Oil price falls after IEA demand forecast – Jan-15 Oil demand recovery to be sluggish – Dec-20 Mr Khelil added that Mr Meziane and other senior executives had been placed under investigation following allegations about irregularities in the awarding of contracts to Sonatrach suppliers. Tunisia wants 300,000 tourists annually Tunisia, which is the world's second destination for spas and thalasso therapy after France, is attracting an increasing number of visitors lured by its proximity to Europe, its mild, temperate climate, affordable prices and the quality of services provided. Despite the financial crisis, Tunisia's public health ministry is promoting a quality based approach that monitors the quality of thalasso therapy activities and their compliance with international standards. The Ministry's aim is to attract 300,000 health tourists as of this year. Rwanda, Libya to expand investments The investment arm of the Libyan government, Libya African Investments Portfolio (LAP), is keen on investing large sums of money in other sectors of the Rwandan economy. The Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board, John Gara, revealed that the Libyans have hopes of exploring opportunities in mining, agriculture, real estate and tourism. LAP has already invested in telecommunications and hospitality with the acquisition of controlling stakes in Rwandatel SA and Laico Umubano Hotel respectively. Sudan sentences two to death over Darfur attacks A Sudanese court sentenced two men to death Tuesday for their part in a surprise attack on Khartoum by rebels from western Darfur region in May 2008. The sentence brought to 105 the number of people who have been handed down death sentences for joining the unprecedented raid on the Sudanese capital. No executions have so far been reported. Fighters from Darfur's insurgent Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) drove hundreds of kilometres (miles) across desert and scrubland to a few kilometers from the presidential palace before they were stopped by government troops. UN encouraged by Lebanon progress The United Nations is “very encouraged†by political progress made in Lebanon since a new government was formed late last year, a senior official with the world body told the Lebanese Foreign Minister today. During his first meeting with Ali Shami in Beirut today, Michael Williams, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, said the two men conferred on the general situation in the Middle Eastern country and its “rich cooperation†with the UN in many fields. The minister expressed his confidence about Lebanon’s future after the formation of the new Government and because of a better regional atmosphere, such as its improving relationship with Turkey. BM
