Terrorism Threatens Tourism in Egypt

The city of Sharm-el-Sheik on the Sinai Peninsula is considered the bright star of Egyptian tourism, however domestic political unrest and recent terrorist attacks has caused a 50% decline in tourism figures.

Despite the high terror threat level in the area, and the travel warning issued by the United Kingdom, Egyptian authorities say they have strengthened security measures and hope to see more tourists return soon.

beau-bernard fonka mutta gives us a snapshot of this touristic destination and the prevailing situation in the following feature report

Afro-Arab Romance in Sharm

Africa and the Arab world are warming up ties in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm-el-Sheikh where the October session of the Pan-African Parliament opens today.
  After Monday's solemn opening ceremony at Sharm-el-Sheikh International Conference Centre presided at by PAP President Hon. Roger Nkodo Dang and the swearing in of 11 new members, the high point will be a meeting between the Arab Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament.

  Egypt which is hosting the event on the heels of its Parliament's 150th anniversary, seeks to go beyond being the geographical bridge between both regions to becoming it's political link.
In a press briefing Sunday, Roger Nkodo Dang said it was mutually beneficial for the Arabs to now turn their attention from Europe to Africa.

The warming up of ties between the Arabs and Africa is expected to shape up when the two parliamentary bodies meet later this Monday in Sharm-el-Sheikh. The speaker of the National Assembly of Egypt, Ali Abdul Aal Sayed Ahmed, the speaker of the Arab Parliament, Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Jarwan, and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sisi are all expected to find words to woo the continent of the future.
A keen observer, Martin Chungong, Secretary of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, told the press that "democracy is work in progress" adding that Egypt has the history and will to lead the way for Africa, the Middle East and the Arab world.

Almost as a sign of worsening relations between the Arab world and the west, UK House of Commons Speaker John Bercow came under verbal fire from the Egyptian press for his country's latest travel warning, urging British tourists to be careful in Egypt. Mr. Bercow insisted "this is not a political vendetta against the Sisi government" noting that the warning doesn't tell tourists not to visit, but to be careful. This latest travel warning is perceived as another blow to Egypt's struggling post-revolution tourism industry.

Observers feel this is a unique opportunity for the Arab world and the African continent to rekindle a waning relationship and work together for their shared interests. Will the charm of Sharm work?

Cameroon's MI-24 to combat Boko Haram

In case you missed out on the National Day Parade on May 20, 2016 here is a glimpse of what went down. Ahead of the military parade I presented the newest acquisition of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, the MI-24 Russian-built attack helicopter.
The robust aircraft is a central piece in the fight Cameroon is waging against the Islamic terrorist sect Boko Harm.


The MI-24 according to Wikipedia is a large helicopter gunship, attack helicopter with low troop capacity transport that can carry eight passengers. The aircraft is produced by the Moscow Military Helicopter Plant, and has been in operation since 1972. It is operated by the Soviet Airforce and 30 other nations.