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The ASEA

Daily News & Resources

Africa Southeast Area

Tuesday 3 November 2015

Issue: 213 (First Issue on 6 November 2014)

I put this “True Size of Africa” map on each month for new arrivals.

Feel free to share it with your family

who may think that this continent is much smaller than it really is.

2 New Resource Sections - Books & Movies about Africa

(Just received 2 new book recommendations-Thanks Elder Ford!) (This listings are at the end of the news and just prior to the signature block)

The Church has: . 37 Official General Authority Facebook Pages &

27 Official Church Organizations Pages

Youtube Channels

ASEA (Africa Southeast Area) Public Affairs Mormon Newsroom

Mormon Channel Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Africa Southeast Area Newsroom & Facebook sites

Countries Mormon Newsroom Sites

Link from these sites to Facebook!

Mormon Newsroom Facebook sites.

Church HQ Mormon Newsroom Mormon Newsroom Facebook page (English)

Angola Angola Mormon Newsroom

Angola Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(Portuguese)

Botswana none Botswana Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Congo DR DR Congo Mormon Newsroom DR Congo Mormon Newsroom Facebook (French)

Congo Rep none Republic of Congo Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(French)

Indian Ocean Indian Ocean Newsroom Indian Ocean Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(French)

Kenya Kenya Mormon Newsroom Kenya Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Madagascar Indian Ocean Newsroom

Madagascar Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(French)

Malawi None Malawi Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Mozambique None Mozambique Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(Portuguese)

Namibia None Namibia Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

South Africa South Africa Mormon Newsroom

South Africa Mormon Newsroom Facebook

(English)

Uganda Uganda Mormon Newsroom

Uganda Mormon Newsroom Facebook page

(English)

Zambia none Zambia Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom Facebook (English)

Totals for ASEA 7 Country-Mormon Newsrooms 14 Country Newsroom Facebook pages!

Helping Hands Mormon Helping Hands - Africa Southeast Facebook page

Public Affairs All Public Affairs individuals are able to access the Public Affairs Network (Secure Site) at this link: Public Affairs Network

AFRICASE Africa Southeast Page Africa Southeast Area Facebook page

Liahona Issues (downloadable) Liahona Local Inserts

Online Resources Use of Online Resources in Church Callings Church Guidelines for setting up ‘Unofficial Pages’

Church Resources LDS.org Mormon.org Deseret News LDS Media Library

General Conference Life of Christ Bible Videos

Law and Religion Symposium

BYU Law International Center for Law and Religion Studies

Emergency Preparedness:

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Calendar-African Important Dates

29 November 2015 Burkina Faso, Presidential and legislative elections.

13 December 2015 Central Africa Republic-Parliamentary and Presidential Elections

Tuesday 16 December 2015 South Africa, Day of Reconciliation

21 February 2016 Niger Parliamentary and Presidential elections.

Keyword News Topics below in Tan

Country Specific News Topics in Light Blue

Church Articles of Interest to Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

New Essays Address Topics on Women, Priesthood, Mother in HeavenEssays complete series of 13 begun in 2013 SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published two new Gospel Topics essays on LDS.org today. One essay outlines the teachings of Church founder and prophet Joseph Smith on women, temple and the priesthood. The second explains Church teachings regarding a Mother in Heaven, which it describes as "a cherished and distinctive belief among Latter-day Saints." LDS Church asks members to help world's refugees in growing humanitarian crisis SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — During what the European Commission called the world's largest humanitarian crisis since World War II, LDS leaders will read a letter in sacrament meetings Sunday encouraging members to help refugees. “It is with great concern and compassion that we observe the plight of the millions of people around the world who have fled their homes seeking relief from civil conflict and other hardships," wrote the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the letter. The letter said people may donate to the church's humanitarian fund and participate in local refugee relief projects. The church used the humanitarian fund to provide $5 million last month to help displaced families who have fled to Europe. Conflicts like those caused by the Islamic State have caused a broad crisis captured in a staggering new graphic at lucify.com that shows the flow of refugees out of the Middle East and Africa into Europe.

LDS daughter of 'Peanuts' creator talks about father's commitment to family, wholesome entertainment Charles Schulz believed that America likes decency.

It is an idea that may seem far-fetched in a society that embraces edgy and vulgar entertainment on a daily basis. But according to his daughter, Amy Schulz Johnson, the creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip “never swore a day in his life.” “He always said, ‘Rats covers everything,’” Johnson said. “That’s why he always had Charlie Brown say ‘Rats’ when things went wrong.” It's also why in the nearly 18,000 comics Schulz published between 1950 and 2000, the "Peanuts" characters never uttered anything objectionable. It would seem that Schulz’s faith in America was not misplaced. Although he died of colon cancer in 2000, Schulz will earn $40 million this year, placing him behind only Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley in posthumous earnings, according to Forbes. Friday marks the release of “The Peanuts Movie,” which is projected to earn more than $56 million at the box office during opening weekend.

Church-Important Africa Dates

Upcoming Church related Historical Events in the Africa Southeast Area. (taken from the resource section at the end of this Daily News)

Gabon 05 November 2013: Elder Bednar dedicates Gabon

Tanzania 18 November 2003: Elder Nelson dedicates Tanzania

Mauritius 22 November 1988: Elder Ashton dedicates Mauritius

Reunion 23 November 1988: Elder Ashton dedicates Reunion

South Africa 1 December 1973: President Kimball rededicates South Africa. (exact day not known)

Swaziland 21 February 1990: President Neal A. Maxwell dedicates Swaziland.

Lesotho 22 February 1990: President Neal A. Maxwell dedicates Lesotho.

If anyone has any additional historical events for the ASEA Area historical calendar …please email them to the address at the top of page 1

Interesting Stuff about Africa & ASEA area Found in the news stream.

Medical News Found in the news stream.

Social Media/Internet Found in the news stream.

(2nd day of this post) This announcement could bring the internet experience

a great deal of Africa in emerging markets! Facebook Internet.org Update: 2G Network Compatible Features Coming Soon to Social Networking Today, businessmen can easily access meetings and stay connected with other people through the internet, especially when Facebook is promoting such interactions. With Mark Zuckerberg's recent project Internet.org, they were able to provide web access to 15 million people around the world. Facebook's engineering director of emerging markets, Tom Alison, stated that there are about 240 million people showing different patterns of mobile use. This data was used by the company to improve their services. Alison featured a map, which highlighted the usage of Facebook. Adding to that is the worldwide usage of 2G and 3G connections on social networking. This social network has improved their features earlier this month beginning with the News Feed, Newsroom reported. They have developed an open-source Network Connection Class that helps determine the connection speed by dictating which information will be shown. Each story depends on whether or not you have a poor connection. Facebook can still compete with the fast growth by giving their employees the opportunity to see how 2G data connections work despite the discussions about the emerging markets. Product Manager Chris Marra, who has been focusing on emerging markets, stated that "People are coming online at a fast rate in emerging markets. In most cases, they are doing so via mobile 2G connections. But on a typical 2G network, it can take several minutes to download a webpage. That doesn't make for a great experience when sharing content with friends and family. To build for a global audience like ours, we know that we need to design features that work seamlessly even on a 2G network." Facebook has been developing apps which may not have all the features as those who use 3G, 4G or LTE connections, but provides the same experience available to its speed, Recode reported. A Related Article Slideshow: An Easy, Bandwidth-Friendly Alternative to Facebook Video Ads Facebook Thursday introduced slideshow, a new video ad product aimed at far greater accessibility by both brands and users in emerging markets. During a press briefing Thursday, the social network stressed its efforts to serve its users and advertisers in emerging markets and with poor performing Internet connections, such as 2G.

Google Asks 'Who's Down' For A New Social Network? Kids Answer GroupMe, Facebook, Texts And Snapchat Google has quietly released a new mobile app called "Who's Down?" The app allows users to broadcast and see each other's plans. Mark Blinch/Reuters Google -- or what we may someday call Alphabet Inc. -- is once again trying its hand at social networking. This time, as with the ill-fated Google Plus, it's diving years late into a market already filled with players. Called “Who’s Down,” Google’s latest mobile app allows people to swipe right on a slider that will show if they are free and broadcast a status update. “Anyone down … ” is automatically included and then you choose a “popular” phrase or type your own. Marketing art suggests “grab lunch?”; “workout?”; “watch a movie?” App users can see a feed of what their friends (added individually) have posted and then indicate interest. Google’s apparent target market: college students. The app is currently invite-only and registering requires listing a school name. Yet, students said they already have apps that serve that purpose. HOW-TO DISCOVER TRENDING VIDEOS: 6 WAYS TO SEARCH SOCIAL MEDIA LIKE A PRO (This is a very interesting article.-rb)

Religious Freedom Found in the news stream.

Misc. Found in the news stream.

Animal Conservation and related articles

Multiple African Countries or other African Countries Cooperation with Africa is imperative (This article is worth reading in entirety.-rb) The current refugee crisis is the biggest movement of people since the Second World War. The refugees and migrants, who reach the European Union, namely Italy and Greece, or Central Europe, are not only Syrians. There is a considerable number coming from African states. Are they refugees or migrants? We have asked this question many times before. The fact is their lives were in danger because of war, persecution, famine or drought. There are countries in Africa where entire generations do not know any other reality other than war, rape and violence of any kind. A Yemen hurricane? Rare, but not unprecendented The equivalent of a Category 3 hurricane, Cyclone Chapala, should make landfall in Yemen on Tuesday. The outlandish prospect of a hurricane striking the desert, war-torn country of Yemen, on the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula, raises two questions. Has this ever happened before, and is climate change a contributing factor?

Angola

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 64% / 26% Population: 24,316,360

Penetration of population w/ internet 19.4% Labor Force: 9,298,000

GDP per capita USD$ 8,100 Life Expectancy: 52

Unemployment / year est. 26% / 2014 Church Members: 1,436

Population below poverty line: 40.5% Congregations: 8

Botswana

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 164% / 26% Population: 2,115,710

Penetration of population w/ internet 13.2% Labor Force: 1,017,000

GDP per capita USD$ 16,000/2014 Life Expectancy: 47

Unemployment / year est. 17.8% / 2009 Church Members: 3,104

Population below poverty line: 30.3% Congregations: 12

Botswana calls for support of ICC Botswana Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi said state parties to the Rome Statutes should support the International Criminal Court (ICC) so that it can operate without any hindrance, the Daily News reported here Monday. Officiating at a two-day regional seminar on fostering cooperation with the ICC in Gaborone recently, Venso-Moitoi encouraged states to exercise jurisdiction and create a framework which allows the ICC and national legal systems to engage with one another at the judicial level. In addition she said the participants must ensure that their governments continue to provide the necessary resources to enhance national legal systems, and to facilitate national capacity building and regional capabilities, particularly in the criminal system to guarantee justice to victims.

Burundi

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 25% / 2% Population: 11,010,900

Penetration of population w/ internet 1.4% Labor Force: 4,806,000

GDP per capita USD$ 900 Life Expectancy: 54

Unemployment / year est. 35% / 2009 Church Members: 526

Population below poverty line: 68% Congregations: 3

Burundi president gives gunmen deadline to end attacks Nairobi (AFP) - Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza gave gunmen a five-day deadline Monday to lay down arms after a string of battles with security forces, with eight fighters killed in the latest attacks. The central African nation has seen months of violence triggered by Nkurunziza's finally successful bid to win a third term in office, with the government calling the gangs of gunmen "criminals", but the United Nations warning of the risk of a return to civil war. Nkurunziza said the November 7 deadline was a "last call", as he warned those "who commit crimes to abandon this path," in a speech broadcast on state radio. Those gunmen who chose to surrender under the amnesty will be given two weeks of "civic training" and then be freed with no further punishment. In the latest violence, eight gunmen were killed and 18 others were captured after clashes with police outside the capital Bujumbura, police said Monday. U.S. to Exclude Burundi From Trade Deal After Discredited Vote U.S. President Barack Obama plans to drop Burundi from a program offering duty-free import access from sub-Saharan African nations that demonstrate good governance. In a notice to Congress, Obama announced that he intends to "terminate" Burundi as a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA. The statement e-mailed on Friday didn’t provide a reason for excluding Burundi. Business as usual in Burundi, until the money runs out Burundi’s economy is being squeezed by a multitude of factors stemming from the ongoing political crisis, violence and human rights abuses sparked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial third term in office. Cuts in foreign aid, falling tax revenues, a drop in key exports and delays to development projects are putting pressure on the government’s ability to pay public sector salaries and help lift its people out of poverty. “Domestic taxation and foreign aid are on a downward trend at the moment,” Sebastien Marlier of the Economist Intelligence Unit told RFI. “The key factor behind the slowdown in Burundi is the decline in aid - foreign aid accounts for about 50 per cent of the state budget,” he adds.

The World Bank predicts that Burundi’s economy will contract by 2.3 per cent in 2015. In their latest outlook dated 15 October, the World Bank describes how the political crisis is “turning a decade of good economic performance to a macroeconomic collapse”.

Cameroon

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 71% / -% Population: 23,248,261

Penetration of population w/ internet Labor Force: 9,105,000

GDP per capita USD$ 3,000 Life Expectancy: 55

Unemployment / year est. 30% / 2001 Church Members: 1,498

Population below poverty line: 48% / 2000 Congregations: 7

Homeland Security: Boko Haram kills a Cameroonian soldier, injures 2 others A soldier and a dozen Boko Haram fighters were killed late today during fighting in a border town in Nigeria, Cameroon Concord has gathered from security sources operating in the Far North region. Heavily armed Boko Haram militia came aboard motorcycles and attacked the army post at El-Dawsaf Vreket earlier today Sunday the 1st of November.

Central African Republic (CAR)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 33% / 1% Population: 4,851,884

Penetration of population w/ internet 3.4% Labor Force: 2,217,000

GDP per capita USD$ 600 Life Expectancy: 50

Unemployment / year est. 8% / 2001 Church Members: 216

Population below poverty line: na Congregations: 1

Pope expresses concern over Central Africa violence VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis on Sunday voiced "great concern" over a fresh outbreak of sectarian violence in the Central African Republic, four weeks ahead of a planned visit to the troubled country. "The painful events that have worsened an already delicate situation in the Central African Republic in recent days are of great concern to me," the pope told pilgrims in St Peter's Square. On Saturday, Muslim militants killed at least two people and wounded several in a Christian neighbourhood of the capital Bangui. The military said several hundred people fled the area fearing further violence. The fresh unrest came two days after four people were killed and around 20 wounded in Bangui in a reprisal attack avenging the deaths of two Muslims. One of the poorest and most unstable countries in Africa, the landlocked former French colony plunged into chaos after president Francois Bozize was ousted in a coup in March 2013. At least two killed in C.Africa violence ahead of polls Bangui Central African Republic: At least two people were killed and several wounded Saturday in sectarian violence in the capital of the Central African Republic a military source said the latest outbreak of unrest ahead of elections expected next month. "Several houses were torched and heavy gunfire was heard in the Christian districts besieged by armed Muslims" he said adding that several hundred people fled the attacks in Bangui. "Men women and children were running in all directions" he said.

Chad (This country borders ASEA)

47% / -% Population: 13,288,797

Penetration of population w/ internet 2.4% Labor Force: 4,919,000

GDP per capita USD$ 2,600 Life Expectancy: 51

Unemployment / year est. 22% / 2009 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: 80% / 2001 Congregations:

Lake Chad clashes leave 14 Boko Haram members dead: government N'Djamena (AFP) - The Chadian government said Sunday that soldiers repelled two attacks by Boko Haram on army posts around Lake Chad, leaving 14 militants dead.

"Two members of Boko Haram were neutralised and a third blew himself up, wounding 11 civilians" during an attempted suicide attack on the Bougouma army post, the government said in a statement, referring to the Nigerian jihadist group. Soldiers killed 11 Boko Haram members during a second attempted attack on the Kaika army post, also in the Lake Chad region, the statement said.

It said the situation had been brought "under control" without elaborating. Soldiers, 11 suspected Boko Haram fighters killed in Chad N'DJAMENA - At least two soldiers and 11 militants were killed on Sunday in suspected Boko Haram attacks on two remote military posts in the Lake Chad area, Chad's government and military sources said. Chad is at the forefront of a regional effort to counter the Islamist militant group which controls small enclaves in remote parts of neighbouring Nigeria's northeast from where it launches cross-border raids. "Two communities were attacked at dawn," said a government statement sent to journalists, referring to isolated villages near the lake where Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon meet. Three would-be suicide bombers were shot by soldiers as they approached a military base in the village of Bamou, although one militant was still able to detonate an explosive device, the statement said.

Congo Rep. (Brazzaville)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 100% / 7% Population: 4,753,445

Penetration of population w/ internet 2.0% Labor Force: 2,890,000

GDP per capita USD$ 6,600 Life Expectancy: 59

Unemployment / year est. 53% / 2012 Church Members: 6,053

Population below poverty line: 46.5% / 2011 Congregations: 17

Congo opposition drops civil disobedience Brazzaville - Congo's opposition said on Monday that in the interests of peace it was calling a halt to a civil disobedience campaign against the veteran president's bid to extend his three-decade rule.

A joint statement from the Republic of Congo's two opposition coalitions, the IDC and the FROCAD, said they had decided to drop plans to shut down the country's cities every Monday, Thursday and Friday starting November 2. "With a view to appeasement and in order to enable the holding of a dialogue .... the IDC and FROCAD have decided with responsibility to suspend the programme of actions from today," they said.

Congo DR (Kinshasa)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 59% / 8% Population: 71,509,992

Penetration of population w/ internet 2.0% Labor Force: 27,590,000

GDP per capita USD$ 700 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 50

Unemployment / year est. 46% / 2009 Church Members: 42,689

Population below poverty line: 63% Congregations: 145

Congo government allows 72 children to join adoptive families, ending 2-year wait KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo's government cleared the way Monday for dozens of children to join their adoptive families abroad after more than two years of waiting, though a further 1,000 others will have to remain in orphanages for now. Fourteen of the children are now headed to the United States, while other boys and girls are going to start new lives in Italy, Belgium, Canada, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Authorities in Congo put a halt to international adoptions in 2013, saying their adoption system was beset by corruption and falsified documents. The children's adoptions had been legally approved by the Congolese courts before the government suspended the issuing of exit permits, causing heartache and frustration for families around the world. On Monday, the Congolese government said that during its review it found "69 dossiers that were perfectly in order and so the children could be authorized to leave." Three other children with serious medical conditions were also issued paperwork to depart Congo, though their destinations were not immediately known. "All the other adoption dossiers will wait until the new law on adoptions currently under debate is finalized," Congolese Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba said. "Until the new law is approved, we will no longer discuss these international adoption cases." (a related article.-rb) Congo grants exit visas to adopted children after two-year wait Congo Opposition Sees Electoral-Body Departures Delaying Poll Opposition politicians in the Democratic Republic of Congo warned recent upheaval at the national electoral commission may delay elections and undermine stability in Africa’s biggest copper producer, after the vice president of the body resigned at the weekend. The resignation of Andre Pungwe from the Independent National Electoral Commission came after its president, Abbe Apollinaire Malu Malu, quit in October because of ill-health. “If we are not careful, the crisis situation at the CENI, which the ruling Presidential Majority is in the process of creating, will soon undermine the organization of elections and the stability of Congo,” the opposition group, known as the G7, said in an e-mailed statement. Congo-Kinshasa: Katumbi Reacts to Kabila's 3rd Term Bid After DRC Announce 4-Year Delay Ahead of 2016 Polls Popular Katanga businessman Moise Katumbi says the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo have rejected attempts for the country to have a life president. Katumbi, who in September quit the ruling party, was reacting to announcement from the capital in Kinshasa that suggests the 2016 elections may be delayed by two to four years. President Joseph Kabila is constitutionally limited to two terms, the second of which ends next year but the announcement appears to be an attempt by the Head of State to stay in power.

Equatorial Guinea

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 87% / -% Population: 802,008

Penetration of population w/ internet 16.0% Labor Force: 195,200

GDP per capita USD$ 32,600 Life Expectancy: 53

Unemployment / year est. 22.3% / 2009 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: na Congregations:

Ethiopia

26% / 49% Population: 101,683,016

Penetration of population w/ internet 1.7% Labor Force: 47,320,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,500 Life Expectancy: 64

Unemployment / year est. 17.5% / 2012 Church Members: 1,854

Population below poverty line: 39% / 2012 Congregations: 64

Commuters rise above the traffic on Sub-Saharan Africa's first metro railway (CNN)Commuters in Addis Ababa, the booming capital of Ethiopia, now have an option to rise above the notoriously congested streets of the city with the opening of a new metro -- the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ato Workeneh Gebeyehu, the country's Minister of Transport, says that each day, more than 60,000 people use the north-south and east-west lines that form the first phase of the project; when completed, the railway should carry 100,000 people per day. Gebeyehu says that the project is focused on providing an affordable solution for the country's low income workers. "When the government thought of constructing this, it was for low income people, the people who are using the minibuses," he explains.

Gabon

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 175% / -% Population: 1,742,265

Penetration of population w/ internet 9.9% Labor Force: 636,000

GDP per capita USD$ 21,600 Life Expectancy: 63

Unemployment / year est. 21% / 2006 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: na Congregations:

Kenya

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 83% / 67% Population: 46,764,772

Penetration of population w/ internet 36.7% Labor Force: 17,700,000

GDP per capita USD$ 3,100 Life Expectancy: 62

Unemployment / year est. 40% / 2008 Church Members: 12,471

Population below poverty line: 43,4 / 2012 Congregations: 62

Danes deliver clean water to 200,000 in Kenya Beginning on Monday, the makers of the LifeStraw will be distributing clean drinking water to more than 200,000 Kenyan schoolchildren, marking the biggest water donation in Africa this year. The Danish company Vestergaard's LifeStraw, a water filtration system that was featured as one of our ten masterpieces of Danish design, is starting a distribution campaign on Monday that will bring safe and clean drinking water to African children. The campaign, dubbed Follow the Liters, aims to help about 200,000 schoolchildren in western Kenya avoid water-related diseases like cholera and dysentery.

Lesotho

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 95% / 24% Population: 2,074,095

Penetration of population w/ internet 5.3% Labor Force: 894,400

GDP per capita USD$ 2,900 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 49

Unemployment / year est. 25% / 2008 Church Members: 867

Population below poverty line: 49 / 1999 Congregations: 2

Madagascar

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 40% / ? Population: 24,540,641

Penetration of population w/ internet 73.5% Labor Force: 12,150,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,400 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 65

Unemployment / year est. 3.6% / 2013 Church Members: 10,322

Population below poverty line: 50% Congregations: 38

Malawi

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 37% / 10% Population: 17,393,962

Penetration of population w/ internet 72.2% Labor Force: 5,747,000

GDP per capita USD$ 800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 55

Unemployment / year est. 6.6% / 2013 Church Members: 1,931

Population below poverty line: 53% / 2004 Congregations: 8

Mauritius

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 128% / 40% Population: 1,322,860

Penetration of population w/ internet 6.2% Labor Force: 600,200

GDP per capita USD$ 17,900 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 74

Unemployment / year est. 8.3% / 2013 Church Members: 458

Population below poverty line: 8% / 2006 Congregations: 2

Mozambique

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 58% / 22% Population: 27,282,161

Penetration of population w/ internet 5.6% Labor Force: 12,250,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,100 Life Expectancy: 50

Unemployment / year est. 17% / 2007 Church Members: 7,943

Population below poverty line: 52% / 2009 Congregations: 26

Namibia

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 137% / 32% Population: 2,325,019

Penetration of population w/ internet 14.8% Labor Force: 1,168,000

GDP per capita USD$ 10,800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 6

Unemployment / year est. 27.4% / 2012 Church Members: 793

Population below poverty line: 28.7% / 2010 Congregations: 2

Niger

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 25% / 2% Population: 19,289,323

Penetration of population w/ internet 1.6% Labor Force: 5,800,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,000 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 58

Unemployment / year est. 2.25% / 2009 Church Members: 793

Population below poverty line: 63% Congregations: 2

Thousands march in Niger to denounce vote preparations Thousands of anti-government protesters marched in Niger's capital on Sunday to denounce what they say are irregularities in voter lists ahead of presidential elections in early 2016. Marchers carried banners with slogans such as "The people stand up for clean elections" and "No to dictatorship" and demanded a full audit of the electoral register. Niger, a poor, uranium-producing country in the Sahel band of West Africa, is set to hold presidential elections in February with President Mahamadou Issoufou expected to seek a second five-year mandate. Issoufou, a key Western ally against radical Islamist groups, is widely expected to triumph over a fragmented opposition to win a second mandate. His ruling PNDS party has forecast a one-round victory. US Trains African Soldiers Against Boko Haram American soldiers are training soldiers in Niger to fight Boko Haram militants. The training began October 19 in Agadez, the largest city in central Niger. More training will follow for armies in Cameroon, Nigeria and Chad, a U.S. military official told the VOA.

Nigeria

(This country borders ASEA)

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 107% / 15% Population: 179,825,664

Penetration of population w/ internet 37.6% Labor Force: 54,970,000

GDP per capita USD$ 6,100 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 52

Unemployment / year est. 23.9% / 2011 Church Members: 129,989

Population below poverty line: 70% Congregations: 416

Nigeria: Flooding - Delta Commissioner Wants Nigeria-Cameroon Joint Commission Asaba — Delta State Commissioner, Bureau for Special Duties, Mr. Chika Ossai, has suggested the establishment of Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Commission to tackle the recurring incidence of flooding of communities in Nigeria due to seasonal release of water from dams in neighboring Cameroon. Ossai noted that such release of water and the attendant flood has become a threat to Nigeria's national security as well as the livelihoods of people in the affected communities, hence the need for collaborative efforts between the two countries to fashion out a permanent solution to the problem.

MTN fine: Nigeria stands firm Johannesburg/Lagos - Nigeria’s telecoms regulator on Friday gave MTN Group two weeks to pay a $5.2 billion (R71.75bn) fine imposed on Africa’s biggest cellphone company for failure to cut off millions of users with unregistered Sim cards. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) imposed the penalty last Monday on MTN’s Nigeria unit, the group’s biggest market by subscribers, sending the phone operator’s stock tumbling by about 20 percent last week. However, the shares advanced 2.2 percent to close at R157.80, which valued the company at R291bn, on Friday, rebounding from a three-year low of R154.38. The company’s bond yields soared to a record. Yields on MTN’s $750 million of bonds due in November 2024 soared 29 basis points to 5.88 percent, bringing the gain to 117 basis points. Nigeria internet users increase to 97 million – NCC The number of internet users on Nigeria’s telecoms networks has hit 97.21 million, up from the 95.37 million recorded in August, according to figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC. The telecoms regulatory body made the disclosure in its Monthly Internet Subscriber Data for September, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.

Reunion Island

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 105% / 48% Population: 874,345

Penetration of population w/ internet Labor Force:

GDP per capita USD$

Life Expectancy:

Unemployment / year est. 40% / ? Church Members:

Population below poverty line: Congregations:

Rwanda

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 61% / 28% Population: 12,540,798

Penetration of population w/ internet 9.2% Labor Force: 6,061,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,700 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 64

Unemployment / year est. 3.4% / 2012 Church Members: 281

Population below poverty line: 44.9 / 2011 Congregations: 3

Rwanda accused of manipulating poverty statistics Rwandan authorities manipulated the latest official statistics on poverty to make it look like it was going down, while much of the source data suggested it was actually on the increase, according to information obtained by FRANCE 24.

Somalia

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 50% / 2% Population: 10,742,489

Penetration of population w/ internet 1.5% Labor Force: 3,011,000

GDP per capita USD$ 600 / 2010 Life Expectancy: 55

Unemployment / year est. 25.4% / 2012 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: na Congregations:

Islamic extremists attack Somalia hotel, killing at least 6 Five Islamic extremists attacked a hotel at dawn Sunday in Mogadishu, Somalia, killing at least six people and injuring 10, before all the assailants were killed, a police official said. Security forces ended the siege by the al-Shabab attackers at the Sahafi Hotel by midday, said police commander Ali Ahmed. "It's over now, we have killed all the attackers." said Ahmed. "They came under cover of darkness and attacked the hotel while some of the guards were sleeping." Official: Islamic extremists in southern Somalia ambush, kill 15 government soldiers NAIROBI, Kenya – A Somali military official says at least 15 soldiers have been killed in an ambush by fighters from the Islamic extremist rebel group al-Shabab. Col. Ahmed Muse said late Monday that the ambush took place near Walaweyn, a town in Lower Shabelle region, about 93 kilometers (58 miles) south of the capital, Mogadishu. Saudi Arabia Hands Somalia Over to Iran Washington, DC- In the last few days, the Somali social media have exploded with the news that Saudi Arabia is bringing 15000 Somali domestic female workers to Riyadh. This was prompted, after Ethiopia, and Kenya cancelled the work visas for 50,000 house maids destined to Saudi Arabia due to labor and human rights violations. The Iranian charities in Somalia have not lost a moment to use this as case to drum up and use against Saudi Arabia. The Iranians argue that Saudi Arabia is not a Somali friend but a nation that wants to humiliate the Somali people and their proud heritage by using money forced their domestic agenda; a very unpopular agreement in Somalia through the Somali president’s weak negotiating position. Somali religious scholars are suspicious, Sheikh Ahmed a prominent Mogadishu preacher says “the individuals that sold this idea to Saudi Arabia may have been Iranian paid agents because the timing of the agreement and the Iranian campaign are so closely linked”

South Africa

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 154% / 35% Population: 51,621,506

Penetration of population w/ internet 46.8% Labor Force: 20,230,000

GDP per capita USD$ 12,700 Life Expectancy: 57

Unemployment / year est. 24.9% / 2013 Church Members: 61,221

Population below poverty line: 31.3% Congregations: 159

Tripartite alliance is dead, says Motlanthe THE TRIPARTITE alliance is dead and whoever believes otherwise is delusional, former president Kgalema Motlanthe said this weekend. In an exclusive interview, Mr Motlanthe told Business Day that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party (SACP), formerly independent ideological partners of the African National Congress (ANC) had lost their way and the alliance only existed in name. Mr Motlanthe lashed out at the ruling party, saying it was presently made up mostly of members and leaders devoid of the kind of political ability and consciousness required to maintain a united and nonracial society — a key ideal articulated during the liberation struggle. He said internal democracy in the ANC was impaired.

"The point I am making is that the policies are in place, the constitution is in place, but if those in power can pick and choose when to adhere, when not to adhere then we have a very difficult situation." His comments come at a time when former leaders of the ANC are increasingly speaking out. Mr Motlanthe, a former Robben Island prisoner, has served in many positions in the alliance and rose to the level of ANC deputy president. He was the country’s president for a short period after the ANC booted Thabo Mbeki out of office in 2008. He was scathing in his criticism of Cosatu, which expelled its general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, and its biggest union, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), this year. "You have a situation when the office bearers actively go and divide the unions. I can’t think of anyone who claims to be a trade unionist who can, with clear conscience expel 350,000 workers. It is unheard of," he said. He warned that the decision to expel Numsa could cost the ANC in next year’s local government elections. VIDEO: Police caught on camera killing suspect Editor's note: The video above contains graphic visuals. Please exercise discretion when viewing. JOHANNESBURG - The killing of a suspect by police officers in Krugersdorp, west of Gauteng has been widely condemned. Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has also spoken out against the shooting. The suspect was shot in cold blood as he lay injured. Khulekani Mpanza was running away from the police minutes before he was killed. He's believed to have fired eight shots at officers, as they chased him down following a robbery at a hardware store. Food prices to soar Johannesburg - South Africans will have to pay more for food in the new year if the drought continues to wreak havoc on this year’s harvest. DA, ANC at odds over funding declarations and late submissions The Democrat Alliance (DA) and the African National Congress (ANC) will both lodge complaints with the Ethics and Members Interest Committee against each other's MP's who have not complied with the ethical code for members interests. Every year, MPs have to declare their financial interests to Parliament, including individual sponsorships. The ANC says it wants the committee to investigate DAparty leader Mmusi Maimane and 10 other DA MP's who have not disclosed the amount of sponsorship which they received when they contested the party's Federal leadership elections in May. The DA also laid a complaint against seven ANC MP's and two from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) who made late submissions on their financial declarations. Gang wars erupt over abandoned mines in South Africa Springs (South Africa) (AFP) - With his armoured 4x4 parked at the entrance of an abandoned gold mine shaft in South Africa, the security guard armed with a gun and a bullet proof vest makes for a menacing sentry. But he couldn't do anything when five illegal miners were killed in September by gangs fighting to control the Grootvlei mine in Springs, a blue-collar town located 30 kilometres (20 miles) east of Johannesburg. "Bullets were flying. I called the police but they only came in the morning to pick up the bodies," said the security guard, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Police are too afraid to come here." South Africa has approximately 6,000 mines that companies have been abandoned in the face of falling profits. First it was electricity, now water: South Africa braced for rationing as drought bites Caused by El Nino, a global weather pattern that denies moisture to the sub-Saharan region, the dry times are expected to persist into March 2016. Water scarcity is a headache everywhere in Africa, not just South Africa. Water scarcity is a headache everywhere in Africa, not just South Africa. SOUTH Africa may be forced to reduce the water supply in some areas as it battles its worst drought since 1992, according to Water Minister Nomvula Mokonyane. Below average rainfall in the past few months has led to “worsening drought conditions” in the nation, where two of nine provinces have been declared disaster areas, she told reporters in Johannesburg on Sunday. As a result, the government may have to cut supply to consumers and farmers, Mokonyane said. “Water is a constitutional right in South Africa,” she said. “What we will do is reduce the supply. Where there is no water being provided, we will augment that with water tanks.” The timing and size of cuts will depend on the rate of voluntary rationing by South Africans along with future rainfall. Gauteng, the province that includes Johannesburg and Pretoria, imposed restrictions on using hoses and sprinklers on October 28. South Africa is in the fourth consecutive year of drier- than-average weather, with 2015 the most severe. Arid conditions are slashing food production and boosting the price of staples such as corn. Caused by El Nino, a global weather pattern that denies moisture to the sub-Saharan region, the dry weather probably will persist through the remainder of this year and into March, a period when the country normally gets most of its rain, according to the South African Weather Service. “Little relief is anticipated in the coming months,” she said. The drought is straining water systems supplying about 18% of the country’s 53 million people, Mokonyane said. KwaZulu Natal is the worst affected province, she said. Zuma to appoint commission of inquiry into transformation at universities President Jacob Zuma is currently exploring the establishment of a formal commission of inquiry to look into transformation‚ free education and institutional autonomy at institutions of higher learning as well as living conditions of students on campuses‚ the Presidency said on Sunday.

Providing an update on the issues of higher education funding and transformation‚ the Presidency said that the government‚ working with universities‚ was exploring various options to meet the commitment made by President Zuma of a zero percent increase in university fees in 2016. “Each university will be engaged to ensure that practical effect is given to the letter and spirit of the agreement. The agreement was reached during the meeting between Government‚ university vice-chancellors‚ council chairpersons and student leaders on 23 October 2015 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria‚” Presidency spokesman Bongani Majola said. Zuma’s control over top salaries buys him loyalty African examples encourage Zuma’s 3rd term ambitions; but he should be wary A depressing wave seems to have engulfed the African leadership with previously sacrosanct protection against despots not just up for debate – but being tossed aside completely. During the past couple decades as the continent benefitted from a commodities boom and accelerating investment, democracy appeared to be spreading fast. But as the climate changed, so too, has the approach of political leaders. Suddenly many previous defenders of democracy want to become Presidents for Life, just like Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe. Leading them is Rwanda’s otherwise respected leader Paul Kagame who, a still youthful 57, was about to come to the end of his constitutionally acceptable term. But after supporters changed the constitution last month, Kagame is now free to rule Rwanda for another 20 years. Also in October, a “referendum” in Congo-Brazzaville removed limits on how long its President Denis Sassou Nguesso can serve – he’s already been in the top job for 31 years so is now legally allowed to do a Mugabe. Neighbouring DRC is keen to follow suit, so it is hardly surprising that with these examples, South Africans are fretting that the deeply unpopular President Jacob Zuma will angle for a similar change in the rules. Zuma has been is usual vacillating self on the subject. His supporters should pay some heed, though, to what happened in Burkina Faso where the would-be leader for life was tossed out a year ago, and a would-be successor arrested after an aborted coup last month. And now in Niger as the story below details. Plus, of course, the recent student and church protests at home. The Big Man of Africa syndrome may finally be meeting the irresistible force of a better educated public. – Alec Hogg

Sudan

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 70% / 31% Population: 40,313,269

Penetration of population w/ internet 24.0% Labor Force: 11,920,000

GDP per capita USD$ 4,500 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 62

Unemployment / year est. 20% / 2012 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: 46.5 / 2005 Congregations:

South Sudan

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration

28% / 12% Population: 11,749,434

Penetration of population w/ internet unkn Labor Force:

GDP per capita USD$ 2,000 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 62

Unemployment / year est. 12% / 2008 Church Members:

Population below poverty line: 50.6% / 2009 Congregations:

Swaziland Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 70% / 11% Population: 1,280,595

Penetration of population w/ internet 23.8% Labor Force: 435,000

GDP per capita USD$ 7,800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 49

Unemployment / year est. 28.5% / 2010 Church Members: 1,768

Population below poverty line: 69% Congregations: 4

Tanzania

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 62% / 24% Population: 50,998,619

Penetration of population w/ internet 15% Labor Force: 25,000,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,900 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 61

Unemployment / year est. 10.7% / 2011 Church Members: 1,336

Population below poverty line: 36% / 2002 Congregations: 6

Tanzania polls: Zanzibar president's term extended Zanzibar's president has had his term extended after elections on the semi-autonomous Tanzanian archipelago were cancelled last week by the electoral chief, citing fraud. Ali Mohamed Shein's term in office was due to expire on Monday. He was seeking re-election as the ruling CCM's candidate; his rival Seif Sharif Hamad has declared himself the winner of the 25 October vote. Tanzania's outgoing leader says he is mediating to find a peaceful outcome. Tanzania's new man Magufuli strengthens era of Africa’s ‘baby boomer’ leaders, as a new order struggles to emerge EVERY time a leader comes to power in Africa - be it through a democratic election, a coup, or a revolutionary war - his country and region either subsequently takes steps forward or backwards. Rarely does it stagnate. So it will be with Tanzania’s president-elect John Magufuli. Shortly after being declared the victor in last Thursday, Magufuli called for unity following an election that had been billed the country’s tightest yet, but which in the end handed him a comfortable cushion of 18 percentage points over his nearest rival. His most potent rival, ex-prime minister Edward Lowassa, has rejected the result but few expect anything else other than a lot of grumpy faces in the opposition—legally once a result is declared in the country it cannot be challenged. Also lost in the campaign heat was that Magufuli’s running mate, Samia Suluhu Hassan, becomes the east African country’s first ever female vice president.

Uganda

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 64% / 11% Population: 40,777,196

Penetration of population w/ internet 16.8 Labor Force: 18,000,000

GDP per capita USD$ 1,800 Life Expectancy: 59

Unemployment / year est. 4.2% / 2010 Church Members: 13,248

Population below poverty line: 25.5% Congregations: 26

Uganda: President Museveni Endorsed for Fifth Term Namboole — The ruling party's National Delegates Conference, protected by layers of security, on Sunday endorsed President Museveni as its official flag bearer in the nest year's presidential elections. The endorsement witnessed by Opposition representatives (FDC, UPC, DP and Jeema) means President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, has passed the first huddle in his quest for a fifth elective term in office.

Zambia

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 73% / 10% Population: 15,549,296

Penetration of population w/ internet 15.4% Labor Force: 6,338,000

GDP per capita USD$ 4,100 Life Expectancy: 58

Unemployment / year est. 15% / 2008 Church Members: 3,359

Population below poverty line: 60.5% Congregations:

Zimbabwe

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 102% / 85% Population: 15,762,551

Penetration of population w/ internet 19.5% Labor Force: 5,0 63,000

GDP per capita USD$ 2,000 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 60

Unemployment / year est. 95% / 2009 Church Members: 26,156

Population below poverty line: 68% / 2004 Congregations: 64

Zimbabwe: Senior Zim Cop Implicated in Poisoning Elephants BREAKING NEWS – Great Zimbabwe Ruins Gutted by Mysterious Fire

United States Data Provided for comparison

Cellphone/Smartphone penetration 102% / 85% Population: 324,343,287

Penetration of population w/ internet 86.8% Labor Force: 156,000,000

GDP per capita USD$ 54,800 / 2014 Life Expectancy: 79

Unemployment / year est. 5.5% / 2015 Church Members: 6,466,267

Population below poverty line: 15.1% / 2010 14,018 Congregations

Travel Advisories/Warnings Chad Travel Warning Saturday, October 03, 2015 U.S. citizens are urged to carefully consider the risks of travel to Chad and, if already in Chad, are encouraged to review their and their families’ personal safety and security plans to determine whether they and their family members should depart. U.S. warns citizens not to travel to Somalia 2 October 2015 The Department of State reiterated its warning to U.S. citizens against all but essential travel to Somalia for the second time in a year, describing the situation in the country as “remaining dangerous.” While the Horn of Africa nation continues to recover from over two decades of civil war, the department of state said in a statement released on Thursday that its citizens should avoid all travel to Somalia because of the general threat of violent crime, terrorism, and the targeting of foreigners for murder and kidnappings, particularly by the extremist terrorist group al-Shabaab. Travel Warning: Central African Republic 9/30/2015 The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to the Central African Republic (CAR) due to an unpredictable security situation subject to rapid deterioration, activities of armed groups, and violent crime. The border between Chad and CAR is currently closed. Other land border crossings may close at short notice. U.S. citizens who have decided to stay in CAR despite this warning should seriously consider departing. Embassy Bangui cannot provide consular services to U.S. citizens in CAR at this time. This replaces the Travel Warning of May 1, 2015 to reflect the risk of remaining in CAR and continued lack of security. Indiscriminate violence and looting has occurred in CAR since the overthrow of the Government in March 2013. Sectarian violence is frequent and has resulted in thousands of deaths. Despite the creation of a transitional government in January 2014 and the presence of a United Nations stabilization force, the security situation remains highly fragile. Instability has increased as the political transition process unfolds around the upcoming constitutional referendum and elections which were initially scheduled for October 2015.

Cameroon Travel Warning Thursday, October 01, 2015 :: Staff infoZine The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the high risk of traveling to Cameroon, and urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the North and Far North regions of the country because of the general threat of violent crime, terrorism, and the targeting of westerners for murder and kidnappings, particularly by the extremist terrorist group Boko Haram. Washington DC - infoZine - There is also a growing threat in the East Region, where former Seleka and criminal elements from the Central African Republic (CAR) occasionally cross the border of Cameroon to steal property and take hostages for ransom. Because of the security situation in country, the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services in remote and rural areas is extremely limited. This replaces the Travel Warning of August 5, 2015 to emphasize the continuing threat of armed attacks, bombings and kidnappings in the Far North region of Cameroon and Boko Haram’s aspirations to extend the threat to other parts of the country

Historical Events in Church History for Countries in the ASEA Area

(and related events) Return to top of News

Country Year Date Historical Event Zimbabwe 1999 January 1 * 1999: Zimbabwe’s first stake is organized in Harare. The first full edition

of the Book of Mormon is published in Shona, a native language of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe 1980 February 1 Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe

Swazliand 1990 February 21 In what has been termed a continuation of events in the "dawning of a new day in Africa," Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve dedicated two African kingdoms to the work of the Lord and for the preaching of the gospel. Swaziland, an independent mountain kingdom bordered on three sides by South Africa and by Mozambique on its eastern side, was dedicated Feb. 21. Lesotho, a kingdom surrounded by South Africa, was dedicated Feb. 22.

Lesotho 1990 February 22 In what has been termed a continuation of events in the "dawning of a new day in Africa," Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Council of the Twelve dedicated two African kingdoms to the work of the Lord and for the preaching of the gospel.

Swaziland, an independent mountain kingdom bordered on three sides by South Africa and by Mozambique on its eastern side, was dedicated Feb. 21. Lesotho, a kingdom surrounded by South Africa, was dedicated Feb. 22.

Zimbabwe 2013 APRIL 1 2013: Edward Dube is called to the First Quorum of the Seventy, making him the first General Authority from Zimbabwe.

South Africa

1853 April 19 When the first LDS missionaries arrived in Cape Town in 1853, they climbed Lion’s Head (which they called Mount Brigham Heber Willard, in honor of the Church’s First Presidency) and dedicated the land to the growth of the gospel.

Zimbabwe 2009 July 1 2009: Edward Dube becomes the first native mission president to serve in Zimbabwe.

Nigeria 2005 August 7 Aba Nigeria temple dedicated August, 2005

Zambia 1992

August 20 Zambia-On Aug. 20, at a secluded spot on a hill near a lake on university grounds in the capital city of Lusaka, Elder Nelson dedicated the nation of Zambia to the preaching of the gospel. "It was a touching scene," commented Pres. Vern Marble of the neighboring Zimbabwe Harare Mission who was present for the prayer of dedication.

Botswana 1992 August 21 The prayer of dedication on the nation of Botswana was offered by Elder Scott on Aug. 21, in a small clearing in the Gaborone Game Reserve. Nearly 100 people were present, including members and missionaries.

Cameroon 2009 August 21 Elder Holland dedicated the country of Cameroon on August 21, 2009, on a green hillside overlooking Cameroon's capital city of Yaounde in the company of local church leaders. Later in the day, approximately 600 people gathered to hear Elder Holland speak at Yaounde's City Center. http://www.mormonwiki.com/Missionary_Work

Namibia 1992 August 22 In Namibia, on Aug. 22, a small group of members gathered on Tower Hill in Windhoek to witness the dedication of the land by Elder Nelson. Namibia is part of the South Africa Cape Town Mission. Its president, Blaine Hudson, described the gathering as "the Lord's people who in the past years have been faithful in the desert and in the wilderness, and have made it blossom as a rose."

Congo Rep (Brazzaville)

1992 August 24 The nation of Congo was dedicated Aug. 24 by Elder Scott. Elder Nelson briefly addressed the small gathering of members and leaders who gathered in a peaceful setting in a shaded area located on a hillside overlooking treetops about 10 miles down the Congo River from the capital city of Brazzaville. A picturesque Congolese village was visible in the distance beyond the river's rapids. About 65 members and leaders of three branches in Congo attended the dedication.

South Africa

1985 August 24 1985: On August 24–25 the Johannesburg South Africa Temple is dedicated. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1993/02/south-africa-land-of-good-hope?lang=eng

Rwanda 2009 August 27 Elder Holland dedicated Rwanda on Aug. 27 during a sacred moment on the top of a mountain overlooking the capital city, Kigali. http://www.mormonwiki.com/Missionary_Work

Ethiopia 1993 September 16 The Church was officially recognized in Ethiopia on 16 September 1993.

Burundi 2010 October 19 The chosen dedication spot for the country of Burundi was located on a hill overlooking Bujumbura, the capital city, with Lake Tanganyika shining in the distance beyond. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve pronounced a blessing upon the country of Burundi in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa. Elder Holland offered a blessing on the people and the nation, dedicating the country of Burundi for missionary work on Oct. 19.

Angola 2010 October 20 On Wednesday, Oct. 20, a small group of Church leaders and members gathered at the base of a large, several-hundred-year-old baobab tree on a quiet hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the capital city of Luanda, Angola, to the north, where Elder Christofferson pronounced a blessing upon the country and formally opened Angola to missionary work.

Uganda 1991 October 23 In late October 1991, Elder James E. Faust of the Quorum of the Twelve dedicated Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe for the preaching of the gospel and the establishment of the Church. On October 23, Elder Faust, accompanied by Elder Richard P. Lindsay of the Seventy, who serves as president of the Africa Area, dedicated Uganda from the capital city, Kampala. Earlier this year, Uganda granted the Church official status. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/02/news-of-the-church/uganda-kenya-zimbabwe-dedicated?lang=eng

Kenya 1991 October 24 The next day, October 24, Elder Faust, Elder Lindsay, and President Larry Brown of the Kenya Nairobi Mission traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, where more than one hundred Church members gathered for the outdoor service. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/02/news-of-the-church/uganda-kenya-zimbabwe-dedicated?lang=eng In the dedicatory prayer, Elder Faust said, “We acknowledge this as a blessed land.” The prayer contained references to Kenya’s beauty, grandeur, and abundant plant and animal life. Elder Faust asked that “the beasts of the earth, which have historically been native to this land, may continue to find a home.”

Zambia 1964 October 24 1964: Northern Rhodesia becomes Zambia, and Southern Rhodesia becomes Rhodesia.

Zimbabwe 1991 October 25 1991: On October 25 Elder James E. Faust (1920–2007) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicates Zimbabwe for the preaching of the gospel.

Malawi 2011 October 25 While the first branch of the Church in Malawi was organized in 1999 and there are now about 1,000 members in four branches, the land had not been formally dedicated. Elder Nelson and others met as a small group for that purpose on Oct. 25. (2011)

Zimbabwe 1991 October 25 On October 25, Elder Faust and Elder Lindsay met Zimbabwe Harare Mission President Vern Marble for the dedication of Zimbabwe. “Before the meeting, the Saints of Zimbabwe had been fasting and praying for rain,” Elder Lindsay said. “As the dedicatory prayer by Elder Faust concluded, a gentle rain began to fall, and rainfall increased for days afterward.” In the prayer, Elder Faust asked for a blessing upon the earth of Zimbabwe and prayed that the land would “continue to provide the abundance which it has in the past. … May the rain fall and the streams flow, and the sun kiss the land to provide for thy people.” https://www.lds.org/ensign/1992/02/news-of-the-church/uganda-kenya-zimbabwe-dedicated?lang=eng

Central Africa Republic

2012 October 29 On a heavily forested hillside overlooking the capital city of Bangui, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve offered a prayer of dedication and blessing upon the country and people of the Central African Republic.

The prayer was offered Monday, October 29, on Gbazabangui hillside overlooking the Ubangi River—a major tributary of the Congo River—a few degrees north of the equator that is the original site of the Bangui people. https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-holland-dedicates-central-african-republic?lang=eng

Gabon 2013 November 5 On November 5, 2013, eleven days after the Church received full legal status in the Central African country of Gabon, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles performed a powerful and significant country dedicatory prayer in a forest clearing at the base of a tall tree. He was accompanied by his wife, Susan K. Bednar, and local leaders: Elder Carl B. Cook of the Africa Southeast Area Presidency and his wife, Sister Lynette H. Cook; President W. Bryce Cook, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Kinshasa Mission, and his wife, Sister Karol Cook; and President Armand Mpandou, president of the Libreville Gabon Branch.

Tanzania 2003 November 18 The East African nation of Tanzania was blessed and dedicated Nov. 18 by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Nelson, who was accompanied by his wife, Sister Dantzel Nelson, gathered for the occasion on a sunny afternoon with some 15 members and Church leaders on a promontory overlooking Oyster Bay on the Indian Ocean, near the capital city of Dar es Salaam. http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/44749/Gospel-takes-root-in-Tanzania.html

Mauritius 1988 November 22 The islands of Mauritius and Réunion, in the Mascarene Islands Mission, were dedicated late in 1988 for the preaching of the gospel. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/03/news-of-the-church/mauritius-runion-dedicated-for-missionary-work?lang=eng Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve dedicated the two islands, located off the southeast coast of Africa. He visited Mauritius, an independent nation of 1.1 million, on November 22, and Réunion, an overseas departmént of France with a population of 500,000, on November 23.

Reunion 1988 November 23 The islands of Mauritius and Réunion, in the Mascarene Islands Mission, were dedicated late in 1988 for the preaching of the gospel. Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Council of the Twelve dedicated the two islands, located off the southeast coast of Africa. He visited Mauritius, an independent nation of 1.1 million, on November 22, and Réunion, an overseas departmént of France with a population of 500,000, on November 23. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/03/news-of-the-church/mauritius-runion-dedicated-for-missionary-work?lang=eng

South Africa

1973 December 1 In 1973, President Spencer W. Kimball rededicated South Africa “to the preaching of the gospel … to the transformation of lives.” Among the many blessings pronounced by this prophet of God, none was more thrilling than his request that “processes might converge to bring a temple to this land” and that “no hungry or thirsty soul may ever miss the privilege of hearing and accepting the truth.” https://www.lds.org/ensign/1993/02/south-africa-land-of-good-hope?lang=eng

Books of Interest about Africa

‘Left to Tell’ by Immaculee Ilibagiza (2014) ISBN 978-1-4019-4432-2

‘Left to Tell’ tells Immaculée Ilibagiza’s experience during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. She survived hidden for 91 days with seven other women in a small bathroom, no larger than 3 feet (0.91 m) long and 4 feet (1.2 m) wide with an area of 12 feet. The bathroom was concealed in a room behind a wardrobe in the home of a Hutu pastor. During the genocide, most of Ilibagiza’s family was killed by Hutu Interahamwe soldiers: her mother, her father, and her two brothers Damascene and Vianney. Besides herself, the only other survivor in her family was her brother Aimable, who was studying out of the country in Senegal and did not know the war was going on. In Left to Tell, Ilibagiza shares how her Roman Catholic faith guided her through her terrible ordeal, and describes her eventual forgiveness and compassion toward her family's killers.

‘Unbowed: A Memoir’ by Wangari Maathai (2007) ISBN 978-0-307-27520-2

In Unbowed, Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai recounts her extraordinary journey from her childhood in rural Kenya to the world stage. When Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, she began a vital poor people’s environmental movement, focused on the empowerment of women that soon spread across Africa. Persevering through run-ins with the Kenyan government and personal losses, and jailed and beaten on numerous occasions, Maathai continued to fight tirelessly to save Kenya’s forests and to restore democracy to her beloved country. Infused with her unique luminosity of spirit, Wangari Maathai’s remarkable story of courage, faith, and the power of persistence is destined to inspire generations to come.

‘The Shackled Continent’ by Robert Guest (2004) ISBN-13: 978-0-330-41972 ISBN-10: 0-330-41972-2

The Shackled Continent provides a persuasive look into the persistent problems of modern Africa and offers some possible solutions.

‘Long Walk to Freedom’ by Nelson Mandela (2010) ISBN 9780230013858

‘Long Walk to Freedom’ is an autobiographical work written by South African President Nelson Mandela, and published in 1995 by Little Brown & Co. The book profiles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison. Under the apartheid government, Mandela was regarded as a terrorist and jailed on the infamous Robben Island for his role as a leader of the then-outlawed ANC. He has since achieved international recognition for his leadership as president in rebuilding the country's once segregated society. The last chapters of the book describe his political ascension, and his belief that the struggle continues against apartheid in South Africa.

‘Dark Star Safari’ by Paul Theroux (2004) ISBN-10 0618446877 ISBN-13: 978-8446872

‘Dark Star Safari’ (2002) is a written account of a trip taken by author Paul Theroux 'overland from Cairo to Cape Town' via trains, buses, cars, and armed convoy. Theroux had lived in Africa as a young and idealistic early member of the Peace Corps and part of the reason for this trip was to assess the impact on Africa of the many years of "helping" from Western countries. His assessment is generally critical of the long-term impact of aid programs.

If you have any books that you have read that you would like to include in this section, Please, email me the information.

Movies of Interest about Africa

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom 2013 Zulu (1964)

Hotel Rwanda (2004) Out of Africa (1985)

Invictus (2009) The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Mandela and de Klerk (1997)

If you have any movies that you have watched that you would like to include in this section, Please, email me the information.

Sources of information for country banners:

All church membership information is provided by Mormon Newsroom by clicking on the ‘Africa’ continent on the map (at the right) and then finding the desired country on the list. The information is reviewed from the list and updated as necessary.

All keywords and country information is collected from an Internet scan of about 60 specific keywords that is supplied to me at 0300 each morning via Google alerts. This keyword list is reviewed and updated as needed.

All Population data are from Country Meters and is updated as needed.

All Cellphone and smartphone data are from GMSA Intelligence and is updated as needed.

All Internet users by country data are from Internet Live Stats and Internet World Stats is reviewed as needed.

GNI (Gross National Income per capita) and Life Expectancy data is from The World Bank

Unemployment and other data are from Photius , IECONOMICS, Quandl, Wikipedia, Theodora & The World Factbook.

Elder Berg

Elder Berg & Sister Berg - Africa Southeast Area Assistant Directors of Public Affairs, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Email: ASEAPublicAffairs@ldschurch.org Cellphone: +27 (0)83 443 3829 Office: +27 (0)11 645 1538

7 ASEA Newsrooms pages Angola Mormon Newsroom

DR Congo Mormon Newsroom

Kenya Mormon Newsroom

Indian Ocean Newsroom

South Africa Mormon Newsroom

Uganda Mormon Newsroom

Zimbabwe Mormon Newsroom

14 ASEA Facebook pages Angola Mormon Newsroom Facebook Botswana Mormon Newsroom Facebook

DR Congo Mormon Newsroom Facebook Congo Rep Mormon Newsroom Facebook

Indian Ocean Mormon Newsroom Facebook

Kenya Mormon Newsroom Facebook

Madagascar Mormon Newsroom Facebook

Malawi Mormon Newsroom Facebook Mozambique Mormon Newsroom Facebook Namibia Mormon Newsroom Facebook

South Africa Facebook page

Uganda Facebook page

Zambia Mormon Newsroom

Zimbabwe Facebook page