Briefs

Gambia quits ICC

The President of The Gambia, YayaJani, has announced he is taking his country out of the International Criminal Court, ICC because of the double standards that is now known to be the hallmark of the court. Gambian authorities say the ICC only prosecutes and humiliates African leaders for various crimes against humanity while at the same time throwing a blind eye on crimes perpetrated on a regular and widespread basis by leaders of western countries. The West African nation listed at least 30 leaders of powerful nations that have committed crimes against humanity but which leaders have never been prosecuted by the ICC. Gambia thus joins Burundi and South Africa that had earlier withdrawn from the ICC. Incidentally former Gambian Minister of Justice, FatouBensuda is the Procurator of the ICC.

Chad scraps perks for former PMs

Chad has scrapped special pecuniary advantages for former Prime Ministers of the country. Authorities of the Central African country say the decision is motivated by the economic slump and cash squeeze the country is grappling with lately. Former PMs of Chad were receiving up to 1.5 million monthly for their up keep. But the authorities say with the economic crisis in the country such advantages are no longer sustainable. Chad’s economy is driven by oil exports. But with the persistent and drastic drop in oil prizes the country is now going through one of the worst crisis ever since she became an oil exporter. It should be noted that many schools are yet to resume after the summer holidays ended almost two months ago. School teaches are asking to be paid many months of accrued salaries before then can go back to the classrooms. Hospitals and health centres have closed down, while private companies have retrenched workers and slashed pay for those retained.                For over a decade now many billions of petro-dollars have been pumped into the Chadian treasury thanks to a generous providence from oil exports. But it would appear the authorities used all the money without saving for the rainy day.