SOMALIA EXPELLING ALL SOVIET ADVISERS, HALTS USE OF BASES

Somalia today ordered all Soviet advisers to leave the country within seven days, ended Soviet use of strategic naval facilities on the Indian Ocean and broke diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Source: New York Times

Martial Law Is Imposed by Yemen

Yemen's new military rulers imposed martial law today following the assassination yesterday of the President, Lieut. Col. Ibrahim al-Hamdi, and his brother, Lieut, Col. Abdullah al-Hamdi.

A broadcast from Sana, the Yemeni capital, said that the Command Council, which is exercising the powers of the head of state, is now led by the Cheif of Staff, Liet. Col Ahmed bin Hussein al-Ghashmi. The two other members are Maj Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani and Maj. Abdullah Abdul Alim.

Source: New York Times

President of Yemen And Brother Slain, Official Radio Says

Unidentified assassins killed President Ibrahim al-Hamdi of Yemen and his brother, Col. Abdullah Mohammed Hamdi today, according to a radio report from Sana, the capital of Yemen. It said President Hamdi's associates in the ruling command council were continuing to govern the country.

Source: New York Times

South Africa Moves to Curb Newspaper Reporting on Death of Biko

The South African Government, angered by the wide publicity given to the death of Stephen Biko in police custody last month, today moved to constrain reporting on the affair by making a forma complaint against one of the country's foremost newspapers, The Rand Daily Mail.

Source: New York Times

Africa's Horn: New Alliances

The Carter Administration's decision in principle to supply military assistance to Somalia - a nation that surpasses the rest of Africa in its dependence upon Soviet arms - is stunning evidence of how quickly the crazy-quilt pattern of major power alliances is changing in the volatile Horn of Africa. It is also further proof, if any were needed, that the conflicts on the Horn are nor simply regional disputes threatening the stability of a corner of the continent.

The Societ Union is attempting to extend its influence with military shipments to states hat are both socialist and intensely nationalist in orientation. The United States is trying to counter the Soviet trust and substitute its own power. The Arab states are trying to strengthen their positions on the Red Sea, one of the routes used by oil tankers bound for Europe. It is perhaps not a coincidence that the struggle for the Horn has intensified along with the fighting in Southern Africa.

Source: New York Times

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT 51 OF 1977

The purpose of the Criminal Procedure Act is to make provision for procedures and related matters in criminal proceedings.

Source: SABINET

Kenya Reports Attack by Somalia

Kenya said today that 3,000 regular Somali troops had made a surprise attack on one of its border zone police posts and 13 men had been killed in the fighting.

Source: New York Times

Ethiopia and Pro-Somali Rebels Claim Success in Border Conflict

Ethiopian troops are battling Somali-backed insurgents in southeastern Ethiopia, with both sides claiming substantial gains.

Source: New York times

British South Africa Police

A mercenary^[1] is a person who takes part in an armed conflict, who is not a national or a party to the conflict, and is

"motivated to take part in the hostilities essentially by the desire for private gain and, in fact, is promised, by or on behalf of a party to the conflict, material compensation substantially in excess of that promised or paid to combatants of similar ranks and functions in the armed forces of that Party".

As a result of the assumption that a mercenary is essentially motivated by money, the term mercenary usually carries negative connotations.

Many of the adventurers in Africa who have been described as mercenaries were in fact ideologically motivated to support particular governments, and would not fight "for the highest bidder". An example of this was the British South Africa Police (BSAP), a paramilitary, mounted infantry force formed by the British South Africa Company of Cecil Rhodes in 1889/1890 that evolved and continued until 1980.


^{[1] Article 47 of the Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol 1)}

Source: Wikipedia

Ethiopia and Soviet Sign Agreements on Closer Tie

The revolutionary military Government in Ethiopia today moved toward closer ties with the Soviet Union by signing a series of documents promoting cooperation between the two countries.

Source: New York Times

South African Legislation For Tougher Press Curbs Is Set Aside for One Year

The South African Government announced tonight that it would set aside legislation stiffening control of the press and give the newspaper industry a year to demonstrate that it can "dicipline itself effectively" under a voluntary press code.

In a statement to parliament, Prime Minister John Voster said that three days of talks with newspaper representatives had resulted in an agreement to drop the controvertial bill.

The bill, which was due for further debate in Parliament tomorrow, laid down a broadly phrased code that would have made it an offense to damage South Africa's name abroad.

Source: New York Times

Bill to Restrain the Press Raises Storm in South Africa Parliament

Amid opposition cries of "Nazi!" and "Sieg heil!" the South African Government today presented Parliament with a bill placing sharp new restraints on the country's newspapers, including the power to stop publication.

Source: New York Times

Ethiopia, Under Dictatorial Ruler, Taking Violent Path Against Foes

With Lieut. Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam now its undisputed leader, Ethiopia's secretive council of military rulers has turned from a collective revolutionary, body into a one-man dictatorship.

Source: New York Times

Death in Detention

According to the South African Police, Matthews Mojo Mabelanefell to his death from the 10th floor of John Vorster Square. Police said it was an escape attempt and that before they realised what was happening, he was "already halfway through an open window".

Source: Sunday Times Heritage Project

Ethiopian Head And 6 in Capital Reported Slain

Ethiopia's chief of state and six other members of the nation's feuding leadership were killed today as a gun battle erupted around headquarters of the governing council, official broadcasts reported.

Source: New York Times

Death in Detention

According to the South African Police, Elmon Malele (Aged 61), had suddenly fallen down, unconscious, hitting his head on a table after being interrogated, in a standing position, from 9am to 3pm. He died a few days later in a nursing home, from a brain haemorrhage and hypertension.

Source: Synday Times Heritage Project