Monday, March 4, is a salute to the memory of South African singer, songwriter, and civil and human rights activist Zenzile Miriam Makeba, nicknamed “Mama Africa”. Makeba was born in Johannesburg on March 4, 1932, and passed away on November 10, 2008, in Castel Volturno, Italy, at the age of 76. In over 50 years as a singer, Makeba travelled the globe, raising the consciousness of millions about the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. A global citizen, Makeba sang in English, Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Swahili, Arabic, Hebrew, Spanish, and Portuguese. She released several albums and songs, her most popular being "Pata Pata" (1967). Along with Harry Belafonte, she received a Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording for their 1965 album An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba.

Egypt said a 4th round of talks over a giant dam being built on the Nile River by Ethiopia has failed, and reiterated its right to defend its water and national security interests. So, will Egypt eventually confront all the downstream Nile countries who, with climate change and exploding populations, will have to exploit more and more of the river? bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

The East African Community says its election observer mission would not participate in the DR elections tomorrow. Its request to undertake observer duties was blocked by President Felix Tshisekedi’s government. However, it has allowed the Africa Union and SADC observers to participate, raising tensions between the country and the EAC which it joined last year in April. Kinshasa has ejected the eastern peacekeeping force EACRF from eastern DRC, accusing it of not helping it fight M23. It has just recalled its ambassador to Kenya, after a DRC opposition alliance formed its formation in Nairobi. President Tshisekedi also just angrily threatened to invade Rwanda, and run President Paul Kagame out of office. In late 1996, following similar rhetoric from strongman Mobutu Sese Seko, and attacks on northern Rwanda from eastern DRC, Kigali, stringing along Congolese rebels, mounted a campaign against the Mobutu regime. In September 1997, after 11 months, they ousted Mobutu. Tshisekedi clearly believes his fortunes will be better.

Tanzania seeking $5.6Bn for new railway linking the Indian Ocean to Lake Nyasa and traversing regions rich in iron ore, coal and graphite. The 1,000-km line will be a public-private partnership, according Tanzania Railways Corp. MD Masanja Kadogosa 1/ 2 mining.com/web/tanzania-plan…