African press review 27 May 2011

South Africans are worried about who will take over at the IMF. An arrest in London captures Kenyans' attention. There's lobbying for posts in Nigeria's new government.

The South African press is anxious over the succession battle at the helm of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Business Day says the cabinet wants the next IMF chief to come from an emerging country .The Johannesburg-based newspaper quotes the government’s spokesperson as saying that no potential names were, however, discussed.

South Africa’s Planning minister Trevor Manuel has been mentioned internationally as a possible candidate. The Mail and Guardian predicts that French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, who has cut an impressive figure as the first female finance minister of a G7 power, is set to take over the post , after receiving the backing of European countries.

The Mail and Guardian however says that the so-called Brics economies are determined to fight her election. M and G points to a statement issued by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa warning Europe's longstanding exclusive deal to lead the IMF "undermines the legitimacy of the fund".

Friday’s South African papers also provide extensive coverage of the e-G8 summit in northern France to provide free broadband for all. The Mail and Guardian underlines pledges by stakeholders, such as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Google boss Eric Schmidt, to help provide free, open access to the internet to everyone on earth. the paper also reports that the Internet entrepreneurs joined G8 leaders at a roundtable session, where the film about young Zuckerberg‘s rise to wealth, The Social Network, a hot topic of conversation. He is only 27.

The South African papers take up new calls for a ceasefire by the Libyan regime.
The Mail and Guardian refers to a letter from Moamer Kadhafi's regime saying it was ready to enter unconditional talks with rebels, declare an amnesty for both sides and draft a new constitution.

The Johannesburg-based newspaper explains that while Tripoli is urging the UN and the African Union to monitor the truce, the regime rules out Kadhafi's departure. M and G says the offer follows calls by AU leaders gathered in Addis Ababa, for an end to the Nato air strikes.

The big story in the Kenyan newspapers is the arrest in London of a powerful business tycoon in connection with a multi-million-dollar fraud scandal.

Yagnesh Devani fled Kenya in 2009 following the Triton Oil scandal in which he allegedly embezzled up to 7.6 billion Kenyan shillings. The Daily Nation says Devani was charged in absentia of stealing over 26, 000 tonnes of oil at the Kipevu storage facility in Mombasa.

The Standard traces the scandal back to 2008 when Triton Oil Company was authorized to collect oil valued at Sh7.6 billion and sell it without permission of the financiers. The paper quotes British officials saying that Devani has been remanded in custody and will be extradited to face justice in Kenya.

The Nigerian newspapers are monitoring the painstaking effort by president Goodluck Jonathan to form his new government as he prepares for his inauguration on 29 May.

The Vanguard headlines on a battle for ministerial posts in the Lagos state chapter of the ruling party despite their landslide defeat in the state elections by the Action Congress.
The newspaper says it found that PDP apparatchiks had sent a list of 10 names to the president after a compromise by 10 rival groups. Losing parties told The Vanguard that if the networks get the posts there are seeking, then the PDP has lost the next elections in 2015 from day one.

“Jonathan blasts lobbyists” is the cover page story of The Punch. The paper reports that the president on Thursday lamented the increasing pressure he is being subjected to by interest groups seeking ministerial positions for their people.

This Day believes that the efforts by the lobbyists could boil down to nothing. The popular newspaper points to Jonathan’s remarks in a presidential inauguration lecture in Abuja Thursday that the frequent change of ministers does not make for expected performance.

The newspaper says this may be an indication that he may ignore the intense lobbying coming from the states and reappoint many of his current cabinet members.