Back Issues

9/11, Iraq and the implications of U.S. Aggression for Africa

Ezekiel Pajibo

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/features/17057

The employment of militarism by the U.S. as a means to seek and establish power and control is a troubling phenomenon for African democratic movements, which are struggling against regimes that came to power through military means and have relied on their monopoly of the means of violence to maintain power. For Africa, this paradigmatic shift is problematic given the prevalence of on the continent. Moreover, the economic implications of the Iraq war present troubling prospects for Africa's efforts to combat poverty. Amongst African social movements there is much agreement that the US war in Iraq had nothing to do with Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction, Iraqi support for Al Queda, or Iraqi role in 'terrorism', specifically 11 September. Neither was it been about Iraqi threats to international stability or liberating the people of Iraq. What the war is about, which has not been stated by the dominant media – primarily British and U.S.-owned – is money, power and control. The invasion and occupation of Iraq provides us with the latest and most graphic illustration of how these variables underpin action.

ABOUT MONEY: Some suggest the key motive was the Bush administration's goal of preventing further Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) movement towards the Euro as an oil transaction currency standard. Another monetary cause of the war concerns US corporate interests. American corporations have been jockeying for contracts to rebuild the country following the massive destruction of its infrastructure.

ABOUT POWER: Since the horrific 11 September attacks on the United States, the Bush Administration has sought to garner the international sympathy it engendered to clearly assert its hegemony to cajole and in some cases coerce other nations into supporting the promulgation and militarization of US national interests globally.

ABOUT CONTROL: US invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq is part and parcel of its ambition to control political and economic developments in the Middle East.

IMPLICATIONS FOR AFRICA

We are witnessing the manifestations of the new world (dis)order in which the US can pursue its national interests irrespective of international disapproval and opposition. What does this portend for Africans struggling to end dictatorships on the continent, particularly where desired changes may not include the free market ideology that characterises America's dominant vision? Moreover, what can Africans, who struggle daily under repressive regimes, do or say to 'shame' their leaders into behaving decently if not honourably? If the US can ride over agreed tenets of democratic governance and international law to achieve a much disputed objective, is there not increased legitimacy for tin pot dictators in Africa to characterise every real and perceived enemy as a 'terrorist' and therefore justify violent treatment against them? Already we have witnessed this in a number of African countries – Liberia and Uganda for example.

A second implication of the war in Iraq for Africa is the simple notion that the US will go to extensive lengths to assure its access to oil. It has been suggested that Africa will become a leading exporter of oil to the US. One only has to see the pauperisation of Nigeria, the wretchedness of Angola and the lack of democracy and respect for civil liberties in Gabon to understand the contention that this will lead to more misery. The U.S. Department of Defence is 'reportedly considering redeploying American troops to protect key oil reserves in Africa, particularly Nigeria'. One wonders what these troops will do there to protect US national (i.e. oil) interests. Will they shoot protesting Nigerian women, workers and inhabitants of the Niger Delta who are asking that proceeds from oil revenues be invested in social services?

A third implication might be considered one of declining shares of relief and humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian relief agencies are already stating the well versed and practiced double standard in the allocation of relief assistance. In the words of James Morris, the Executive Director of the World Food Program:

“As much as I don't like it, I cannot escape the thought that we have a double standard. How is it we routinely accept a level of suffering and hopelessness in Africa we would never accept in any other part of the world? We simply cannot let this stand.”

But it will stand! In the recently released 2003 World Development Indicators, the World Bank reported that Sub-Saharan Africa, unlike other regions of the world such as Asia and Eastern Europe and contrary to the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (a set of targets set by the United Nations to halve poverty by the year 2015), will witness an increment in the number of people living in poverty. Whereas:

“…the number of impoverished people in the world was forecast to drop from 1.29 billion people, or 29.6% in 1990, to 809 million, or 13.3% in 2015… in sub-Saharan Africa, the number of impoverished people would swell from 315 million in 1990 to 404 million in 2015.”

In addition to the economic factors that are likely to keep Africa in poverty - including structural adjustment type policies of the international financial institutions, unequal trade relations between Africa and the developed world, and Africa's debt overhang – other likely factors include the numerous civil conflicts, the widespread lack of democratic governance on the continent and the global propensity towards militarization.

The U.S. is seeking the cancellation of Iraq's $127 billion debt as part of Iraq's reconstruction. This amazing figure should be compared with the $40 billion for 26 highly indebted poor countries, most of which are in Africa, that the US has agreed along with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to cancel. Even more shocking is the fact that over $80 billion was relatively easily mobilised to intervene in Iraq and destroy much vital infrastructure. $50 billion required to achieve the millennium development goals globally can somehow not be located.

It is clear that while the US pursues its stated mission to 'liberate' Iraq, much of the world - particularly those of us in Africa - recognize that this war is not about making the world safe for 'democracy' or ensuring the security of the majority of Africans who live in hellish conditions on the continent. Rather, it is about the projection of U.S. military power and its assertion of imperial control. The lives of Africans can only be worsened by these actions. It becomes compelling that African leaders and people must, out of necessity, oppose U.S. aggression and occupation of Iraq, and other pursuits of U.S. national interest cloaked as 'international' security. It is of some comfort that two African Presidents, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Olusegun Obassanjo of Nigeria, got it right in opposing the war. Do they have the requisite spine to hold their grounds? We are not holding our breath.

* Ezekiel Pajibo is a Liberian independent researcher and analyst of Africa policy issues who lives in Harare, Zimbabwe.

* Please send comments on this editorial to editor@pambazuka.org

This is an edited version of a larger briefing in the Journal of Peacebuilding and Development Volume 1 Number 2, 2003. ISSN 1542-3166 JPD is a new tri-annual refereed Journal providing a forum for the sharing of critical thinking and constructive action on issues at the intersections of conflict, development and peace.

To subscribe to the Journal Write, call, fax or email to the following:

Journal of Peacebuilding and Development
South North Centre for Peacebuilding and Development
P.O. Box HG358, Highlands
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel/Fax +263 4 746 543
email: jpd@africaonline.co.zw; erin@jpd.org.zw
or
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Washington, DC 20016-8123
Tel + 1 202 885 1656 Fax + 1 202 885 2494
Email: jpd@american.edu; abunim@american.edu

JOIN THE GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST THE WTO

SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/17038

Across the world, poor people are facing another attack on their living standards by rich countries and big companies at the WTO. The results of the WTO agreements have already led to more people going without water, electricity, access to land, housing, the right to fish, education, hospitals, medicines and food security. With the current WTO meeting in Mexico governments from Europe and US want to further attack these rights. The biggest threat at this WTO meeting is the attempt to force all countries to privatise all government services, including, transport, water, electricity, housing, education, health and even tourism. On the 13th of September there will be a Global Day of Action to show big companies and governments from the north that their plans will not be accepted.
JOIN THE GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION
AGAINST THE WTO!

ON

SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER IN CAPE TOWN
(See Below for Details)

Across the world, poor people are facing another attack on their living standards by rich countries and big companies at the WTO. The results of the WTO agreements have already led to more people going without water, electricity, access to land, housing, the right to fish, education, hospitals, medicines and food security. With the current WTO meeting in Mexico governments from Europe and US want to further attack these rights.


The biggest threat at this WTO meeting is the attempt to force all countries to privatise all government services, including, transport, water, electricity, housing, education, health and even tourism.


Another immediate threat for countries from the south is the refusal of rich countries to allow poor countries to produce or import cheap medicines to deal with serious health crises like, HIV, TB, Malaria and other diseases that affect countries in the south.


The area in which the EU and the US have been most resistant to introduce change has been in agriculture. The EU and the US do not want the governments of poor countries to provide support for small farmers while they pay $360 billion in subsidies every year to their farmers.


The WTO want to subject all human needs and human rights to trade. It wants to subject our lives to their search for more and more profits. The WTO is the biggest threat that poor people in the world are facing today. The WTO is planning to take away the right of governments to protect its economies and determine its policies in the interest of the people.


Throughout the world people are resisting the WTO. On the 13th of September there will be a Global Day of Action to show big companies and governments from the north that we will not accept their plans. We will not become slaves again; we will not accept joblessness, homelessness, landlessness and hunger while they make profits out of our poverty.



Cape Town - Join with 20 other organisations


1. COSATU Picket

Date: Thursday 11 September 2003

Time: Lunch-time 1pm – 2pm

Place: US Consulate, Heerengracht, Street Cape Town


2. Anti-WTO Coalition

Date: Saturday 13 September 2003

Time: 10h00

Meeting Point: US Consulate, Heerengracht Street, Cape Town

Protest in front of the US Consulate then

March to St. George’s Cathedral to Bury the WTO


For Transport contact EJNF 448 0144 or Simphiwe at AIDC 6851565



International Actions

Mexico

10 September: Protest March of the international Farmer

13 September: International Day of Action to Bury the WTO

13 September: Protest around the Mexican border


Madagascar

10 Septmeber: Lalit and Social movements Protest against the WTO


USA

13 September: Protest rallies in more than 20 US cities


Australia

13 September: Protest against the WTO Melbourne


India

13 September: Protest Marches in various cities


Africa

Kenya, Mali, Senegal and other African Countries

13 September: Protest against northern farm subsidies


Europe:

Protest in France, Germany, UK and many other countries and cities throughout Europe


Join Millions around the World in Protest against the WTO!


Build A People’s Alternative!



JOIN THE GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION:

AGAINST THE WTO!

AGAINST GLOBAL OPPRESSION!

AGAINST PRIVATISATION!

FOR JOBS, HOUSING AND FOOD!

FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE!

AMNADLA NGAWETHU!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

sign on to a list of demands to the world bank and imf

2003-09-11

http://www.seen.org/pages/activism/4_demands.jsp

This sign on campaign demands that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund: Open all World Bank and IMF meetings to the media and the public; Cancel all impoverished country debt to the World Bank and IMF, using the institutions' own resources; End all World Bank and IMF policies that hinder people's access to food, clean water, shelter, health care, education, and right to organize; Stop all World Bank support for socially and environmentally destructive projects such as oil, gas, and mining activities, and all support for projects such as dams that include forced relocation of people.

African Human Security Initiative launched

Nico Fourie, Institute for Security Studies, South Africa

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/letters/16952

The transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU) and the adoption of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) have raised expectations of renewed commitment by African Heads of State to better governance and enhanced human security for the continent. Most of these commitments, to human rights, democracy, peace and security, have been chronicled before in the protocols, declarations and decisions of the OAU from 1963-2002.

One of the most significant differences between the OAU commitments and those of the AU and NEPAD, is that the new initiatives make provision for monitoring mechanisms and review of implementation of these decisions. There is also specific provision for greater popular participation and recognition of the need for civil society engagement in the policy-making and implementation of AU programmes, including NEPAD. Civil society organisations need to meet their governments half way, accepting the offer of greater engagement in public policy-making and pushing the boundaries of this opportunity.

Countries that accede to the NEPAD African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) voluntarily commit to specific benchmarks and standards contained in a memorandum of understanding. AU institutions such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Pan-African Parliament and ECOSOCC have been tasked with the political governance component of peer review. Rather than wait for the necessarily lengthy process to capacitate and/or establish these AU institutions, relying on governments to monitor or learn from one another, this project consists of a core network of 7 established African NGOs to embark upon a process of benchmarking the performance of key African governments in respect of human security issues, measured against the commitments taken at the level at OAU/AU heads of state meetings. The network will review commitments in the areas of democracy and governance, human rights, corruption, civil society engagement, conflict resolution and peacekeeping, arms management, terrorism and organised crime.

It is a one year pilot project that will begin by reviewing eight of the countries that have already acceded to the APRM, namely Algeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda. The initial partners are: African Security Dialogue and Research (ASDR), African Peace Forum (APF), Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa, Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Southern Africa Human Rights Trust (SAHRIT), Southern Africa Institute for International Affairs (SAIIA), and the West African Network for Peace (WANEP). The project is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). For more information visit our website: www.africanreview.org

Binyavanga Wainaina

kenya

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/letters/17040

There is much that is comical in our new Kenya; but the nature of comical statements is often something that invites threats.Years ago, when the late Kariuki Chotara, a Kenyan politician, wanted ìKaro Maxî arrested and detained, we laughed - but this sort of cowboy narrow-mindedness lead to a purge of writers, free-speakers and thinkers that Kenya is still recovering from.

Now a new one: that Chinua Achebe is a pornographer. His book, A Man of the people, which is taught in schools to 16-18 year olds, stands accused by the Catholic Church lobby group and several parents groups. (see http://www.pambazuka.org/newsletter.php? id=16939)

My organisation, kwani? wishes to solicit commentary from writers and writers organisations so we can use this to prevent any action being taken to remove this book, and the other books under threat. We hope to have edited comments published in one of our national newspapers: the East African or The Sunday Standard.

We would need such submissions in by Monday the 15th of September 2003. We will also put up these comments on our website www.kwani.org We are also trying to get in touch with Mr. Achebe urgently so he may give his views on the matter.

Please forward this to any writers or lovers of free speech that you know.

<b>FAHAMU RESPONDS</b>: <i>Fahamu condemns attempts to have three books withdrawn from the school syllabus on the grounds that they are "morally objectionable."

The books are Chinua Achebe's "A Man of the People" and S. A Mohammed's "Kiu" and "Kitumbua Kimeingia Mchanga" - all set-books for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations (KCSE).

Those who want the books removed claim they are sexually explicit and contain pornographic material.

Fahamu would like to point out that Achebe is one of the greatest writers ever to come out of Africa. His book "A Man of the People" was published in 1966 and describes a fictional post-colonial African state. It tackles the issues of political representation in a corrupt state and the problems of an ethnically diverse, economically stratified nation. The other two books are in Kiswahili, the Kenyan national language. All three titles are noted principally for their socially redeeming themes, which is why they were chosen as literary set-books.

Fahamu believes that the banning of the books would set a dangerous precedent and damage fundamental principles related to freedom of expression and the spread of ideas. We support the efforts of education and literary interests opposed to the banning of the books. Fahamu calls on all Pambazuka readers to send letters of solidarity</i>

Kelley Ready

Brandeis University

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/letters/16940

A Tragedy of Lives

Edited by Chiedza Musengezi and Irene Staunton

2003-09-11

http://www.weaverpresszimbabwe.com/dev/devframeset.htm

This powerful book is based on interviews with (former) prisoners that were conducted by Zimbabwe Women Writers. The stories that are told are revelatory. Women who find themselves in prison are too often driven by circumstances into a situation where the emotional or material poverty of their lives makes breaking the law appear the only option. The vivid particularity of these personal stories, often told with unexpected candour, is balanced by essays written by experts in law, gender, and prison reform. A Tragedy of Lives is a book which will demand that we ask how much responsibility should be borne by the culprits, and how much by society; and, what can be done both to prevent the ‘crime’ and create a more compassionate environment.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, LIVELIHOODS, AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: ISSUES IN WILDLIFE LAW AND POLICY

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/books/16931

The Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy intends to publish in volume 7, early in 2004, a special issue on a variety of legal and policy issues that have arisen in Africa, where concerns about and programs for biodiversity conservation, livelihoods, and development intersect. Authors from a variety of scholarly disciplines are invited to submit proposals for papers. The Journal, now to be published by Taylor and Francis, reaches a diverse international audience of scholars, managers, and others with biodiversity conservation and sustainable development interests in international groups and institutions.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, LIVELIHOODS, AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA:
ISSUES IN WILDLIFE LAW AND POLICY

CALL FOR PAPERS for the Journal of International Wildlife Law and
Policy
www.jiwlp.com Editor in Chief: William C.G. Burns, ASIL-WIG and
University of Redlands JIWLP@pacbell.net

Special Issue Editors: Shamiso Mtisi, Zimbabwe Environmental Law
Association mtisik@yahoo.com, and Geoffrey Wandesforde-Smith,
University of California, Davis gawsmith@ucdavis.edu

Invitation

The Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy intends to publish
in volume 7, early in 2004, a special issue on a variety of legal and
policy issues that have arisen in Africa, where concerns about and
programs for biodiversity conservation, livelihoods, and development
intersect.

Authors from a variety of scholarly disciplines are invited to submit
proposals for papers. The Journal, now to be published by Taylor and
Francis, reaches a diverse internationa audience of scholars,
managers,
and others with biodiversity conservation and sustainable development
interests in international groups and institutions.

Prospective Topics

Among the topics authors are invited to address are these:

* the origins, nature and impacts of transboundary natural resource
management (TBNRM) projects in Africa, particularly the impacts on
rural
livelihoods and wildlife management of transfrontier national parks, in
all parts of the continent.

* explanations of the evolution of wildlife law and policy in one or
more selected African countries, highlighting the important attributes
of and interconnections between pre-colonial law and customs, colonial
laws and policies, post-independence changes to colonial practices, and
the impact, if any, on national law and policy of commitments to
international wildlife regimes, such as CITES, CBD, and CMS.

* the legal and policy prospects for and implications of the bushmeat
"crisis" in Africa, particularly papers outlining how bushmeat
management policies and programs could be designed and instituted at
the
national level in one or more African states.

* studies of the policing in one or more African co untries of trade in
species that is regulated by CITES, especially but not exclusively
plant
species, and of realistic opportunities for improving compliance
without
adversely affecting livelihoods.

* critical examinations of the formulation and implementation in one or
more selected African countries of national biodiversity strategies,
and
of the relationship these have to biodiversity conservation research
and
management within those countries.

* detailed empirical analyses of the legal and policy factors within
African states that constrain or inhibit progress in implementing
multi-lateral wildlife agreements and conventions, such as the Lusaka
Agreement, the wildlife protocol to SADC, CITES, CBFD, and CMS.

Other proposals for papers on any topic related to wildlife law in
Africa are also welcome and should be discussed directly with the
editors.

Abstracts

Proposals should be outline d in abstract form (not to exceed 300 words)
and submitted as an MS Word 2002 file by e-mail to one or both of the
special issue editors NOT LATER THAN September 30, 2003. Decisions on
acceptance will be made promptly and in some cases before September 30.

Manuscripts

Authors whose proposals are accepted will have until December 15, 2003
to submit a manuscript for review and editing. Manuscripts will
generally be 10,000 to 12,000 words (or less, at the author's
discretion) but may not exceed 12,000 words without prior approval from
the editors. The style and format of manuscripts and citations must
follow the "Guidelines for Authors" published on the Journal's web site
www.jiwlp.com

Shamiso Mtisi, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association
mailto:mtisik@yahoo.com
Geoffrey Wandesforde-Smith, University of California
mailto:gawsmith@ucdavis.edu

Globalising Africa

Edited by Malinda S. Smith

2003-09-11

http://store.yahoo.com/africanworld/0865438706.html

At the outset of the twenty-first century, Afropessimism permeates both the scholarly and popular literatures on Africa. In the dominant discourses, Africa is constructed as "hopeless," "hemmed in," on the periphery, and even as "left out" of the global economy and community of nations. This interdisciplinary volume interrogates these interpretations and offers a probing critique of neoliberal globalization and its uneven impact on Africa. The essays debate the constraints and opportunities for Africa’s political economy, civil societies, and cultural production in the current era of intensifying globalization.

Microfinance in post-conflict situations: a case study of Mozambique

2003-09-11

http://www.africapulse.org.za/index.php?action=viewarticle&articleid=1520

Like most South African teenagers, Koketso Mogongoa loves traditional &#8220;pap-en-vleis&#8221; and kwaito, but she&#8217;s been indulging in curry and &#8220;Bollywood&#8221; musicals in preparation for a three-year stint in India. Seventeen-year-old Mogongoa, from Lebowakgomo near Polokwane, is one of six Limpopo students awarded a bursary to study engineering, computer programming, and business administration at Punjab University in Punjab, India.

The Assassination of Herbert Chitepo: Texts and Politics in Zimbabwe

Luise White

2003-09-11

http://www.weaverpresszimbabwe.com/hist/histframeset.htm?asschitepo.htm

On March 18, 1975, Herbert Chitepo, a Zimbabwean nationalist in exile and chairman of the war council that struggled to liberate Africans in white-ruled Rhodesia, was killed by a car bomb. Since then, there have been four separate published confessions to his assassination and at least as many accusations and innuendos about who was responsible for the crime. Luise White in The Assassination of Herbert Chitepo, does not set out to resolve questions about who was guilty and who was accountable for this horrible murder. Instead, with a presentation that is as much murder mystery as history writing, she uncovers what is at stake in so many confessions to Chitepo's murder and why his assassination continues to incite conflict and controversy in Zimbabwe's national politics today.

Unholy Trinity: The IMF, World Bank and WTO

Richard Peet

2003-09-11

http://zedbooks.co.uk/

Our lives are all affected by three hugely powerful and well financed, but undemocratic, organisations: the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation. These institutions share, with minor differences, a common ideology. They aggressively promote a very particular kind of 'corporate' capitalism, neoliberalism, giving free rein across the world to the interests of a small number of huge, undemocratic and largely unregulated transnational corporations. This book presents the history and fundamental ideas of this economic ideology. Describing each member of the 'unholy trinity', it shows how neoliberalism hijacked the IMF, World Bank and WTO in relation to their global financial, development and trade management roles.

africa/global: Women's Human Rights over “Free Trade”

awid statement on the fifth WTO meeting

2003-09-11

http://www.awid.org/cancun/factsheet_eng.rtf

Consider the following:
* Over 3/4 of people living on less than $1 per day are small farmers (around 900 million people worldwide). The majority of small farmers are women;
* The average European subsidy per cow is $2 per day – billions of people in the world barely subsist on less than this amount;
* Agricultural subsidies in developed countries exceed the total income of sub-Saharan Africa.
Heavily subsidized agricultural products are taking away the livelihoods of millions of female small farmers. Moreover, the WTO Agreement on Agriculture does not guarantee food sovereignty.
At the fifth WTO Ministerial we demand:
* No new issues!
* Democratic governance, transparency and accountability!
* Human development and gender equality-oriented agendas!
* Human development and human rights as the central guiding principles!

africa: Migrant Sex Workers

2003-09-11

http://www.whrnet.org/docs/issue-migrantsexworkers.html

Neo-liberalism with its focus on freemarket economics is eroding traditional labour structures and livelihoods. Impoverished women and children, especially in the Global South, are particularly vulnerable to the excesses of such global capitalist forces. Furthermore, various forms of discrimination, including sexism, classism, and racism, combine in exploitative practices in factories, domestic jobs, in the sex industry and in the overall structure of the labour force. However, it is important to analyze issues affecting sex workers in ways that go beyond the traditional discourse on prostitution, trafficking and migration, which tend simply to stigmatize women as victims.

ethiopia: girls driven to prostitution

2003-09-11

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3084226.stm

Everyday about 10,000 people pass through the cross-country bus station in the Ethiopian capital to visit relatives, do business or simply search for a better life. And it is at the bus station where many young girls get drawn into prostitution. According to a recent survey carried out in Addis Ababa, child prostitution is on the rise.

kenya: Teen Girls Flooding Kenya's New No-Cost Schools

2003-09-11

http://womensenews.com/article.cfm/dyn/aid/1516/context/cover/

Kenya's recent introduction of free primary education helps girls forced out of school by poverty to regain lost ground. The girls, however, still face many challenges, from the humiliation of worn-out uniforms to views favouring boys' education.

malawi: Cost of gender disparities in access to socio-economic services

2003-09-11

http://www.sarpn.org.za/documents/d0000477/index.php

This is a report of the findings of Cost Benefit Analyses (CBA) of the gender disparities in literacy and access to agriculture services in Malawi, and the interventions to redress it and also of activities to reduce Gender Based Violence (GBV). The purpose of the study is to provide information to assist in advocating for and planning programs that are gender responsive, and thereby contribute to overall national economic growth and poverty reduction. The objective of the study is to estimate the incremental financial benefits of addressing the gender disparities. A review of the Malawi Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (MPRSP) process showed that there was no gender rationalization of the allocation of resources and the setting of targets.

South Africa: Limpopo launches Women Entrepreneurs Network

2003-09-11

http://www.africapulse.org.za/index.php?action=viewarticle&articleid=1505

The Limpopo Department of Finance and Economic Development has launched the South African Women Entrepreneurs Network project. The project is an initiative by the Department of Trade and Industry to organise women entrepreneurs into a national network of individuals and organisations committed to the promotion and advancement of women entrepreneurs.

south africa: What's wrong with South African men?

2003-09-11

http://www.health-e.org.za/news/article.php?uid=20030830

When Josephine Vika asked Mzimkhulu Jam, a former Umkhonto we Sizwe sergeant major who brutally raped and murdered her 21-year-old daughter, Nosipho Vika, why he had done it, she did not expect his response. “Ag Voetsek,” he said. “I don't have to answer to women”. After Jam was jailed for 26 years in February Josephine told a reporter that in that moment, she had seen that he believed women were no better than animals. Gender inequality contributes to South Africa's high levels of violence, hampers economic development, places strain on our health care system and is fuelling the AIDS crisis.

zimbabwe: Sex Assault Now a Political Act

2003-09-11

http://womensenews.com/article.cfm/dyn/aid/1513

Sexual assault is prevalent in Zimbabwe, according to rights groups. Concubinage in youth militia camps and the governmental use of rape as a means of punishing female political dissidents are both forms of the problem.

zimbabwe: WOMEN BEAR BRUNT OF STATE SPONSORED VIOLENCE

2003-09-11

http://www.peacewomen.org/news/August03/brunt.html

In 18 months, Amani Trust, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to the assistance of victims of violence in Zimbabwe, has documented 16 cases of rape. Sixteen - not even one a month. Not enough to make the case for the systematic rape of women during Zimbabwe's political crisis. Not enough to make anyone sit up and take notice. However, this relatively small number belies the degree to which women have been and continue to be targeted in the continuing political violence.

Botswana/Zimbabwe: row over electric border fence

2003-09-11

http://www.africapulse.org.za/index.php?action=viewarticle&articleid=1511

Relations between Botswana and Zimbabwe are reported to be deteriorating as the Botswana government continues to construct an electric fence along the two countries' border. Botswana is fencing out the increasing numbers of Zimbabweans fleeing their country's economic and political collapse.

CAR: CASE AGAINST PATASSE will be taken TO ICC

2003-09-11

http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/dt/Qcentrafrica-justice.RJM9_DaR.html

The Central African Republic announced recently that it would bring its case against deposed president Ange-Felix Patasse, wanted for rape, murder and massive embezzlement, before the International Criminal Court (ICC). "The government has already agreed to lodge a complaint with the ICC against all those who were behind atrocities committed against the Central African people", Justice Minister Faustin M'Bodou said.

kenya: Gov't Urged to End the Culture of Impunity

2003-09-11

http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=20039

Peter Makori knows the smell of a Kenyan prison which has been his home for the past two months. He is being detained in Nyanza province in Western Kenya for alleged implications in the murder of two tribal chiefs. But, Kang'ethe Mungai, a human rights activist and founder of Release Political Prisoners, says Makori has been detained for highlighting human rights abuses. He is an investigative journalist. Makori's case epitomises the extent of human rights abuses in Kenya and the urgent need of a body to monitor such excesses.

kenya: Serious Jostling For Vice Presidency Yet To Emerge

2003-09-11

http://ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=19967

Kenya's political theatre has been thrown into disarray, following the death of Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa on August 23. It has come at a time when the ruling party, National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), is grappling with a contentious issue of the establishment of a prime ministerial position, as suggested in a draft constitution, which is currently being debated in Nairobi by 629 delegates. It is indeed a head scratching moment for Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki, as he ponders over a tough choice of who will take over Wamalwa's shoes. Already, debate is raging across the country over the possible candidates he is likely to consider. Interestingly, things have taken a tribal dimension, the very aspect that NARC vowed not to subscribe to.

rwanda: 'Democratic' Rwanda Looks Set to Join Regional Bloc

2003-09-11

http://ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=19955

http://ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=19955
Rwanda's first multi-party elections, which have been described as free and fair, may pave the way for the central African country to join the East African Community bloc, according to a government official. The official, Seth Kamanzi, who is Rwanda's ambassador to Kenya, told IPS that “the delay in Rwanda becoming a part of the bloc is because it was considered undemocratic”.

ZAMBIA: Strikers reject govt warning

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/rights/16948

Zambia's 120,000 striking public servants on last Thursday dismissed a government threat they would be sacked if they did not return to work, and called instead for the authorities to honour an agreement to pay their housing benefits. "There is total chaos in the country - let them just pay and the workers will go back to work," Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSUZ) secretary-general, Darrison Chaala, told IRIN. The government on Wednesday described the industrial action launched on 26 August as illegal. "I am, therefore, advising all striking workers to return to work forthwith or face the consequences of their illegal action," Vice-President Nevers Mumba said in a national address.
ZAMBIA: Strikers reject govt warning

JOHANNESBURG, 4 September (IRIN) - Zambia's 120,000 striking public servants on Thursday dismissed a government threat they would be sacked if they did not return to work, and called instead for the authorities to honour an agreement to pay their housing benefits.

"There is total chaos in the country - let them just pay and the workers will go back to work," Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSUZ) secretary-general, Darrison Chaala, told IRIN.

The government on Wednesday described the industrial action launched on 26 August as illegal. "I am, therefore, advising all striking workers to return to work forthwith or face the consequences of their illegal action," Vice-President Nevers Mumba said in a national address.

He said the government had agreed to pay public servants higher salaries, but could not afford to include housing allowances, amounting to about 40 percent of each worker's salary packet.

Trade union leaders meeting in the capital, Lusaka, on Thursday rejected as "intimidatory" Mumba's warning of dismissals if they did not return to work.

"The workers have decided to ignore those threats because they know they have a genuine case. The government signed a collective agreement - it's a legally binding agreement, that's why we say we are willing to stay at home and be fired," Chaala commented.

He described the indefinite strike as "very, very successful", with government offices and institutions, including hospitals, either not working or on a go-slow. Chaala added that he expected teachers to join the strike when schools reopened on Monday.

The government introduced housing allowances in 2002 to replace a moribund system in which some public workers were entitled to accommodation, but far from all of those received it.

In March this year the government agreed to a 30 percent across-the-board pay rise and a housing allowance increase. But, confronted with a forecast budget overrun of $120 million, the government rescinded the housing allowances.

The International Monetary Fund and key donors have frozen around $175 million in aid until the government closes the budget deficit. According to Chaala, implementing the allowances would cost about US $17.2 million a year.

The civil servants' leader said if savings are to be made, the government should look to cuts in spending by senior officials. "There are two deputy ministers in each ministry - what for, when you have a cabinet minister, a permanent secretary and another heavyweight, an assistant secretary?"

[ENDS]

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zimbabwe: Abuja Agreement and Commonwealth Principles: Compliance or Disregard?

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/rights/17039

The majority of evidence seems to indicate that the Zimbabwe Government has failed to abide by Commonwealth Principles enshrined in the Harare Declaration, the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme on the Harare Declaration, the Abuja Agreement itself and subsequent communiqués in the form of the Marlborough House Statement on Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Mid-Term Review Statement. This is according to a background paper from the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, entitled “Zimbabwe, the Abuja Agreement and Commonwealth Principles: Compliance or Disregard?”
This is the executive summary of a report by the ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS NGO FORUM. For the full report, please write to zimelectionchallenges@yahoo.com

The report examines obligations upon the Government of Zimbabwe arising from the Abuja Agreement on Zimbabwe, signed in Abuja, Nigeria on 6 September 2001. It examines commitment by the Zimbabwe Government to the Harare Commonwealth Declaration and the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme on the Harare Declaration and its compliance with the recommendations of the Marlborough House Statement and the Zimbabwe Mid-Term Review Statement. It is published two years following the signing of the Abuja Agreement and three months before the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting in Nigeria in December 2003 and is intended to provide some clarification with regard to the Zimbabwean crisis and its causes.
The report notes that high levels of human rights violations continue to prevail, some of them consequent on laws such as the Public Order and Security Act. This has been accompanied by the establishment of a culture of impunity presided over by a seemingly partisan police force. State agents have been frequently reported as being perpetrators of human rights violations themselves. There has been continued inter-party violence as a result of political intolerance. Victimisation on the basis of political affiliation remains a common phenomenon.
Elections have, since the Parliamentary Elections in June 2000, been accompanied by organised violence and intimidation. The electorate’s freedom of choice in electing representatives in all these elections has been heavily constrained by victimisation of potential voters on the basis of their political affiliation. There have been reports of supplying food in exchange for votes and the use of retributive force where voters are deemed not to have voted in the expected manner.
The two main political parties in the country have failed to engage in any meaningful dialogue aimed at addressing the Zimbabwe crisis and the political impasse between them as recommended by the Commonwealth. Previous and current Commonwealth, regional and local initiatives to mediate in the process have apparently been met with disdain. The two parties have yet to resume talks since the breakdown of the Commonwealth-led initiative in May 2002, although there have been deliberations by both parties on the conditions for resumption of talks and the nature that these negotiations would assume.
The majority of evidence seems to indicate that the Zimbabwe Government has failed to abide by Commonwealth Principles enshrined in the Harare Declaration, the Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme on the Harare Declaration, the Abuja Agreement itself and subsequent communiqués in the form of the Marlborough House Statement on Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Mid-Term Review Statement.

zimbabwe: On the rampage

2003-09-11

http://www.rnw.nl/humanrights/html/030905zimbabwe.html

Church leaders in southern Africa have accused the Zimbabwean government of sacrificing an entire generation of young people to maintain its grip on power. In a chilling report, the Solidarity Peace Trust documents how children as young as 10 are being drafted for military training.

Zimbabwe: Zanu PF prepares for Mugabe exit

2003-09-11

http://www.africapulse.org.za/index.php?action=viewarticle&articleid=1504

The ruling Zanu PF party will at the end of this month start holding district and provincial elections throughout the country, in a move party insiders say could be aimed at consolidating the party’s structures before President Robert Mugabe leaves office, The Standard has learnt.

chad/sudan: Sudanese influx in Chad needs urgent aid to avert tragedy

2003-09-11

http://tinyurl.com/muac

Some 65,000 refugees who fled recent fighting in western Sudan are living out in the open in northern and north-eastern Chad with no food, safe drinking water or healthcare. These are some of the findings of an assessment mission comprising officials of the UN refugee agency, the UN World Food Programme, and two Chadian members of parliament who have just returned from visiting the refugees.

ETHIOPIA/SUDAN: Change of plan on refugee relocation

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/refugees/16997

Plans to relocate thousands of Sudanese refugees from an area in western Ethiopia where ethnic clashes killed some 100 people a few months ago have been abandoned, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported on Tuesday. However, an alternative site is being sought and the relocation should be done by the end of the year, UNHCR said.
ETHIOPIA-SUDAN: Change of plan on refugee relocation

ADDIS ABABA, 9 September (IRIN) - Plans to relocate thousands of Sudanese refugees from an area in western Ethiopia where ethnic clashes killed some 100 people a few months ago have been abandoned, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, reported on Tuesday. However, an alternative site is being sought and the relocation should be done by the end of the year, UNHCR said.

UNHCR's Mahary Maasho told IRIN that the plan to move 24,500 refugees from Fugnido in Ethiopia's remote Gambella Region to the new site at Odier - about 50 km away - had been scrapped following serious flooding at Odier during heavy rains. "This site had to be abandoned unfortunately," Mahary said. "This was a new site and nobody was able to tell what would happen during the rains."

UNHCR had announced plans to move thousands of refugees from Fugnido camp in February after fierce clashes pitted Anuaks against Nuers and Dinkas, both inside the camp and within the Ethiopian host community. Forty-two people were killed in the worst clash, which occurred within the camp in November 2002.

At the end of December, over 500 refugees were transported to the Bonga refugee camp, some 160 kilometres northeast of Fugnido. UNHCR had intended turning the site at Odier into a camp for Nuers and Dinkas.

Mahary said the agency was still planning to move the refugees from Fugnido by the end of the year, and that surveying work would be completed in October. "The move should happen this year, but this would not be the first time that we faced delays," he said. "There are many actors involved."

Fugnido is home to more than 28,700 refugees. It is the largest of five refugee settlements in Gambella, which hosts a total of 85,000 Sudanese.


[ENDS]

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LIBERIA: Displaced fear to leave school buildings without security assurances

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/refugees/16984

Thousands of people displaced by recent fighting in Liberia, who are sheltering in school buildings around the capital, Monrovia, are reluctant to leave the buildings and return to their original camps, saying they fear that it is not yet safe enough for them outside the city centre.
LIBERIA: Displaced fear to leave school buildings without security assurances

MONROVIA, 8 September (IRIN) - Thousands of people displaced by recent fighting in Liberia, who are sheltering in school buildings around the capital, Monrovia, are reluctant to leave the buildings and return to their original camps, saying they fear that it is not yet safe enough for them outside the city centre.

"The government should know that they are seeking the welfare of their citizens. We are distressed at the moment. We cannot leave this school building to go back to the camps when ECOMIL [West African Peacekeepers] are not deployed", James Sei an IDP leader at William Tubman School said.

The Ministry of Education issued a directive on Wednesday that all displaced people should leave the schools by 15 September, to allow schools to reopen on 20 October. On Friday, Minister Evelyn Kandakai met government and non-governmental officials to plan the reopening of schools.

UNICEF estimates that 3,000 schools will reopen for 750,000 children countrywide. The schools will be staffed by 20,000 teachers and the World Food Programme (WFP) is exploring using a Work-for-Food programme to pay them.

Out of more than 110 temporary shelters where the displaced live in Monrovia, 47 are schools where some 50,000 people live. Some also live in the Ministry of Education offices. They sought shelter here at the height of fighting between government forces and rebels in June- August.

The Resident Representative of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Liberia, Moses Okello, told a news conference in Monrovia on Monday that plans were underway by UN agencies and various international organisations to begin relocating the displaced people (IDPs) from the schools.

"We need to empty those shelters so that schools can reopen. It is easier to coordinate and distribute relief assistance to IDPs in camps than in shelters that are spread in different locations", Okello said.

The IDPs living in school buildings who spoke to IRIN on Sunday said that they want assurances of adequate security before they can return to designated camps in the western suburbs of Monrovia.

Elizabeth Kemonh, an IDP leader at GW Gibson School, who said she had suffered multiple displacements from fighting for two years in western Liberia, told IRIN: "The time is not good for us to go back, everyday we hear of fighting in the interior. The country is still not safe yet"

Okello said modalities are being out with ECOMIL to patrol the camps to "ensure security and confidence building among the IDPs"

Hundreds of thousands of IDPs were living in seven camps around Monrovia when attacks on the western outskirt of Monrovia by rebels of the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) intensified in June and July. They fled to find refuge in the city centre.

So far, relief workers estimates that only 2,000 have returned to the camps since the arrival of ECOMIL troops in Monrovia in August.

Liberia's school system was so badly affected during the decade and half of conflict that half of all children who should have gone to school did not. As a result, 78 percent of Liberians are illiterate.

In the northwestern counties of Lofa, Gbarpolu and Grand Cape Mount, which have experienced continued conflict since 1989, education services have been seriously disrupted. Only Monrovia managed to keep its schools open until rebel fighters stormed into its western suburbs three months ago.



[ENDS]

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RWANDA: Indigenous people pledge to push for equal rights

2003-09-11

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=36381

Indigenous peoples of east and central Africa resolved last Thursday to form a common front to pressure their respective governments to stamp out discrimination against them and give them due recognition. Meeting in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, the indigenous peoples, commonly known as pygmies, also voiced their objection to their continued absence from government institutions, saying they would fight for greater representation at decision-making levels.

SOMALIA: UN expert calls for urgent attention to IDP camps

2003-09-11

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=36384

A UN-appointed independent expert on human rights for Somalia has said that appalling conditions in camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) should be tackled urgently. Speaking at the end of an 11-day mission to Somalia, Dr Ghanim Alnajjar called on the international community, local authorities and civil society groups to address the issue, according to a press statement from the UN Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office for Somalia.

sudan: post-literacy for refugees and idp's

2003-09-11

http://www.fmreview.org/FMRpdfs/FMR18/fmr1819.pdf

Thousands of Eritreans, many of them second- or third-generation exiles, live in refugee camps in the northeast of Sudan. Millions of southern Sudanese have fled to the north where IDP settlements are scattered around urban outskirts. Both groups of displaced people lack adequate education provision. Refugees and IDPs alike are excluded from formal education and employment opportunities due to language barriers, gender/ethnic prejudice and lack of basic skills. Read the full article from the latest edition of Forced Migration Review by clicking on the link provided.

uganda: Refugee Project Protests Transfer

2003-09-11

http://allafrica.com/stories/200309070075.html

The Refugee Law Project has protested the way 15,000 Sudanese refugees are being treated in a relocation exercise that started on Monday. Emmanuel Bagenda, an advocacy officer with the Law Project, told a press conference at their offices in Kampala that the way the Government was carrying out the relocation of Kiryandongo refugees to West Nile was in disregard of its obligations to protect them under agreed international standards and conventions. "We are disappointed that the Government could use such high-handed measures to transfer the refugees. The Government should have engaged them in dialogue before embarking on the exercise."

west africa: UN agency and British government begin scheme to resettle refugees

2003-09-11

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=8141&Cr=refugees&Cr1=

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Kingdom Government have embarked on a resettlement programme that will enable some West Africans in need of special protection to reside in Britain. The first group is likely to include Liberians who fled to Sierra Leone during the 1989-90 civil war, according to UNHCR. A small number of refugees are expected to arrive in October, with the possibility of the number rising to 500 in 2004 if the pilot scheme proves a success.

Kenya: Corruption Scandal

2003-09-11

http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/1499.cfm

One of the pledges that the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) government made when it came to power at the end of 2002 was to fight corruption in every way possible. It was with this in mind that President Mwai Kibaki appointed the Goldenberg Commission of Inquiry on Feb. 24 this year. The commission was charged with fully investigating the Goldenberg export compensation scandal, which cost Kenya billions of shillings in the early 1990s when billions in Kenyan shillings was looted from the country’s Central Bank through billionaire Kamlesh Pattni’s Exchange Bank in 1991. As the inquiry has progressed, former president Danial arap Moi, his two sons and a daughter, as well as a host of high-ranking Kenyans, have been implicated.

kenya: Cost of graft dawns on AIDS council

2003-09-11

http://www.transparency.org/cgi-bin/dcn-read.pl?citID=70556

Key players in the fight against Aids met recently, ostensibly to develop a strategy against the disease. However, sources said the suspension of Dr Margaret Gachara as the director of the National Aids Control Council, took the centre stage. Against the backdrop of massive corruption in the council, critics claim Kenya is facing defeat in the anti-Aids battle. Public outrage is only complementing widespread disquiet among donors over the council.

kenya: Transparency boss wants Maitha fired

2003-09-11

http://www.eastandard.net/headlines/news09092003001.htm

The Civil Society Forum says two Cabinet ministers allegedly implicated in corrupt deals should be suspended pending investigations. Executive Director of Transparency International Gladwell Otieno asked President Kibaki to immediately suspend Ministers Karisa Maitha and Ali Mwakwere.

lesotho: Another watershed for Acres

2003-09-11

http://www.odiousdebts.org/odiousdebts/index.cfm?DSP=content&ContentID=8310

The bribery case against Acres International Ltd. has been among the more spectacular in recent memory. This landmark legal battle saw the engineering consulting firm convicted on two counts of bribery surrounded allegations that Acres used an agent to bribe the head of a giant water and hydroelectric development in the southern African nation of Lesotho. The court pulled no punches: Acres' "cynical exploitation" of the project, "motivated as it was by greed, is the more reprehensible," Judge Jan Steyn wrote in his judgment. The company's reputation, he predicted, "will be sullied by the conviction and it will live in the shadow of the taint of corruption." But what action will the World Bank, a major funder of the project, and the Canadian government take against the company?

liberia: ex-leader stole $3 million as he left, U.N. aide says

2003-09-11

http://www.transparency.org/cgi-bin/dcn-read.pl?citID=70566

Charles G. Taylor, who was forced out as president of Liberia on August 11 and flew to exile in Nigeria, took with him $3 million donated for disarming and demobilizing thousands of armed combatants, a senior United Nations official says. The sum is roughly equal to six months of current government revenues in Liberia, by any measure one of the poorest nations on earth.

south africa: Government rejects De Lille's 'lies'

2003-09-11

http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?a=11&o=28226

The government has rejected as "blatant lies" questions raised this week about President Thabo Mbeki's role in South Africa's multibillion-rand arms deal. It said on Thursday the claims made by Independent Democratic Party leader Patricia de Lille had no substance. "She is regurgitating baseless allegations," the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said in a statement.

SOUTH AFRICA: MINISTER ORDERS AUDIT OF development agency

2003-09-11

http://www.thusanang.org.za/index.php?option=news&task=viewarticle&sid=354

Business Day reports that Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, has ordered an investigation into allegations of irregular financial management and recruitment practices at the National Development Agency (NDA). The allegations surfaced after former Pan-Africanist Congress general secretary, Thami ka Plaatjie, was appointed to the agency.

south africa: Upbeat Zuma won't step down

2003-09-11

http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=20223

Deputy President Jacob Zuma appeared in an upbeat mood on Tuesday when he faced questions by MPs in the National Council of Provinces, saying there was no reason for him to step down from his position. Zuma has been dogged by controversy since National Director of Public Prosecution Bulelani Ngcuka announced that Zuma would not face prosecution for anything related to the multimillion-rand arms deal, despite there being prima facie evidence against him. The deputy president has accused Ngcuka of finding him guilty of corruption without having the necessary evidence.

africa/global: blue gold - the wellspring of life is now worth one trillion US dollars annually

2003-09-11

http://www.id21.org/society/s2cmb1g1.html

The privatisation of water has been accompanied by large profits, higher prices, cut-offs to customers who cannot pay, lack of transparency, reduced water quality, bribery and corruption, says a book from the Council of Canadians and the Polaris Institute, which takes a sobering look at the growing scarcity of fresh water and argues that the commodification of water is wrong on ethical, environmental and social grounds. The book notes that trade agreements are robbing governments of their control over domestic water supplies: with water now classified as a good, global trade institutions give transnational corporations unprecedented access to the freshwater resources of signatory countries.

africa/global: The Impacts of Forced Privatization in vulnerable Communities

2003-09-11

http://www.socialjusticecommittee.org/Water_Land_Labour.pdf

Privatization of public services and natural resource extraction is now a central component of IMF and World Bank program and project work in developing countries. For most impoverished countries, it is a condition for development assistance and debt relief. This review by the Halifax Initiative, a coalition of organisations concerned about the international financial system, looks at privatisation in the areas of water, land and labour - and indicates that broad assumptions about the benefits from privatization are an error. "For the poor especially, privatization as a whole has not brought better service at an affordable price," says the review.

africa: Africans Head for WTO With Low Expectations

2003-09-11

http://allafrica.com/stories/200309080175.html

African trade ministers and officials are approaching the fifth World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial talks that began in Cancun, Mexico, on Wednesday, with low expectations. Since the collapse of the WTO's 1999 session in Seattle, Washington, the organisation has struggled to come up with a new world treaty on trade. It took about two years before trade ministers met in Doha, Qatar in November 2001 and gave themselves three years to complete work on a new treaty.
Related Link:
* Gloomy forcast for sunny Cancun
http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=20037

africa: Cancun Ministerial - Southern Research Perspectives

2003-09-11

http://www.gdnet.org/knowledge_base/cancun.html

In the week of the WTO 5th Ministerial meeting in Cancun, a GDNet Special Feature highlights research on trade and development from the global south. GDNet is a global network of research and policy institutes working together to address the problems of national and regional development and the feature offers some perspectives from researchers in the global south on key elements of the social and economic impacts of the WTO on developing countries. It features resources from a range of Southern research organisations, which relate to the issues under discussion at Cancun as well as regional research on the broad topic of trade and globalization.

africa: Fear that SA will betray Africa at WTO talks

2003-09-11

http://www.itechnology.co.za/index.php?click_id=124&art_id=vn20030908051856878C358265&set_id=1

South African anti-globalisation protesters have branded the South African government as a sell-out willing to abandon the rest of Africa and the developing world to further its own business interests. The six protesters levelled the charges on Sunday before heading to Cancun, Mexico, to join about 50 000 other activists who will protest against the latest round of the World Trade Organisation negotiations that are scheduled to start on Wednesday. The six are part of the African Trade Network that wants to "constitute a strong African voice that opposes and seeks alternatives to further expansion of the WTO".

africa: Unions Assail WTO for Ignoring Worker Rights

2003-09-11

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=655&ncid=655&e=1&u=/oneworld/20030908/wl_oneworld/4536675031063022071

With trade ministers from around the world gathering in Cancun, Mexico, this week for a key round of negotiations under the World Trade Organisation (WTO), labour unions are complaining loudly that workers rights have been excluded from the agenda. Globalization has the potential to bring prosperity to people across the world, but today's crude, free market globalization is pushing standards down and leading to massive exploitation," said the ICFTU's General Secretary, Guy Ryder, who will be observing the Cancun meeting.

Burkina Faso: African Farmers Hope They Will Be Taken Seriously This Time

2003-09-11

http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=20070

Cotton farmers in Burkina Faso have sent a 100,000-signature petition, through their delegation, to the World Trade Organisation summit, which kicked off in Cancun, Mexico this week. Unable to travel to Mexico, the farmers hope that their demands to eliminate the cotton subsidies, being enjoyed by their counterparts in wealthy nations, would be taken seriously at the WTO negotiations in Cancun on Sep. 10-14.

south africa: campaign against pre-paid meters intensifies

Patrick Burnett

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/development/17058

Last week, South African president Thabo Mbeki, during a state visit to Malaysia, reportedly suggested linking up with groups in developed countries concerned with the negative effects of globalisation. "They may act in ways you and I may not like and break windows in the street but the message they communicate relates," said Mbeki. This week, Mbeki's trade delegation was off to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in Cancun, Mexico, where critics expect little of benefit to emerge for those suffering the negative effects of globalisation. Meanwhile, far away from Cancun and closer to home, in Phiri, Soweto, residents are standing up to the first phase of a plan to install pre-paid water meters by Johannesburg Water (JW). Pre-paid meters stop all water supplies unless water is paid for in advance and the company has been installing the devices under the name 'Operation Gcin'amazni'. The company is linked to French multinational Suez Lyonnaisse des Eaux and the installation of the meters forms part of a strategy of privatisation of basic services. Last weekend, residents in Phiri angrily protested against the meters. Seven people, including former African National Congress councillor Trevor Ngwane, now the leader of the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee, a group that has protested against the installation of pre-paid electricity meters, were arrested for allegedly damaging pipes and intimidating workers. On Monday, September 8, resistance continued. Those opposed to the project have been arrested, denied bail and interdicted.
Last week, South African president Thabo Mbeki, during a state visit to Malaysia, reportedly suggested linking up with groups in developed countries concerned with the negative effects of globalisation. "They may act in ways you and I may not like and break windows in the street but the message they communicate relates," said Mbeki. This week, Mbeki’s trade delegation was off to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in Cancun, Mexico, where critics expect little of benefit to emerge for those suffering the negative effects of globalisation.
Meanwhile, far away from Cancun and closer to home, in Phiri, Soweto, residents are standing up to the first phase of a plan to install pre-paid water meters by Johannesburg Water (JW). Pre-paid meters stop all water supplies unless water is paid for in advance and the company has been installing the devices under the name 'Operation Gcin'amazni'. The company is linked to French multinational Suez Lyonnaisse des Eaux and the installation of the meters forms part of a strategy of privatisation of basic services.
Last weekend, residents in Phiri angrily protested against the meters. Seven people, including former African National Congress councillor Trevor Ngwane, now the leader of the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee, a group that has protested against the installation of pre-paid electricity meters, were arrested for allegedly damaging pipes and intimidating workers. On Monday, September 8, resistance continued. Those opposed to the project have been arrested, denied bail and interdicted.
According to South Africa’s Mail and Guardian newspaper, The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) is taking JW to court in a bid to gain access to information about the plan to install pre-paid water meters in Soweto and Johannesburg. Researcher Ebrahim Harvey is conducting the litigation through the FXI. Harvey says there is no adequate research in place to assess the possible negative effects of the system in low-income, high-unemployment areas. It could increase hardship, ill-health and poverty, he told the Mail & Guardian. Harvey argues in the same article that pre-paid meters represent a brutal commodification of water: “What this (meter system) means is that after consuming the present small lifeline of 6 000 litres of free water per family - for those who have the infrastructure and receive it - no family will get any water if they do not readily have the cash to buy pre-paid coupons or vouchers with which to recharge the meter … Recognising water as the most essential of human needs, and, at a time of rising unemployment and poverty in poor black communities, it does not require an economist to see that these meters are going to lead to even greater poverty and ill-health. It is probably such a realisation that galvanised the action to oppose the installation of these meters last week in Soweto.”
Also quoted in the Mail and Guardian, Ngwane said: “It is unjust to experiment with pre-paid meters in the community of the poorest of the poor. Instead of prioritising upgrading water infrastructure, the council is trying to secure a return on its investment.”
The Anti-Privatisation Forum (APF), which is campaigning against the meters, said in a press statement: “We are opposed to the ANC government's GEAR policy (neo-liberal economic policy) that allows our water to be owned and run by private companies… Water is a human right, not a privileged commodity that can only be enjoyed by those who can afford it. Everyone must get water.”
According to the APF, eight community residents have been arrested on charges of 'malicious damage to property' and are now being subjected to apartheid-era bail conditions that include: a ban on any 'interference' with Operation Gcin'amanzi'; a ban on coming within 50 metres of any physical work of Operation Gcin'amanzi; and, a ban on attending/participating in, any meeting or gathering dealing with Operation Gcin'amanzi.
The APF wants the meters declared illegal, saying “they are the practical means being used to violate fundamental human rights to water”. They point out that the meters are illegal in the United Kingdom, where the High Court declared pre-paid water meters unlawful in 1998.
The residents of Phiri are unlikely to get any help from the WTO meetings in Cancun, which critics fear will result in the deepening of exactly the kind of policies that extend profit-making into basic commodities such as water. Nor are they likely to get any support from Mbeki. Despite his claims of solidarity with those protesting the kind of effects that global economic policies have on the poor, the message of the Phiri community is probably not one that he really relates to.
SOURCES:
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=344375&group=webcast
http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=19876

africa: Half of Africa has no medicines

2003-09-11

http://news.hst.org.za/view.php3?id=20030905

Half of Africa's population, mostly the poor and disadvantaged, do not have access to existing essential medicines and many more are denied new medicines for treating common diseases like malaria and HIV, says a report released last Monday. "Only 50 000 of the 4.5-million people who need antiretroviral therapy have access to treatment despite significant reductions in cost," states the annual report for 2002 of the regional director of the World Health Organisation.

AFRICA: Health gains at WHO regional committee meeting

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/hivaids/16983

A five-day regional health meeting ended on Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa, with African health ministers pledging to give greater attention to women's health and scale up their HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) programmes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) regional committee session, held last week, urged governments to develop "appropriate policies and legislation to create a supportive environment for scaling up interventions" for the three epidemics, a WHO statement said.
AFRICA: Health gains at WHO regional committee meeting

JOHANNESBURG, 8 September (PLUSNEWS) - A five-day regional health meeting ended on Friday in Johannesburg, South Africa, with African health ministers pledging to give greater attention to women's health and scale up their HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) programmes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) regional committee session, held last week, urged governments to develop "appropriate policies and legislation to create a supportive environment for scaling up interventions" for the three epidemics, a WHO statement said.

Addressing the conference on Monday, WHO Director-General Dr Lee Jong-Wook warned that staff shortages in the continent's overstretched health facilities could jeopardise WHO's "3 by 5" plan to provide antiretrovirals (ARVs) to three million people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries by the end of 2005.

"Only 50,000 of the 4.5 million people who need antiretroviral therapy have access to treatment, despite significant reductions in cost," the WHO's regional annual report for 2002 noted.

African Union Social Affairs Commissioner, Mahamat Doutoum, called for governments to address the brain drain by putting in place incentives to retain health care workers.

Elements of traditional culture and subservient female roles were pushing HIV/AIDS levels up and depriving African women of access to quality health-care services, a report presented at the conference stated.

Protecting women during pregnancy, childbearing and motherhood was crucial, as half a million women die every year giving birth, the conference heard.

In response, ministers on Friday adopted a strategy to incorporate women's health into national policies to address such gender inequalities.

A resolution on strengthening health services called for the better management of African hospitals, after a report released earlier in the week pointed out that hospitals were "getting worse in terms of both the scope and quality of health care" they provided.

The meeting also called for increased health investment and the development of updated food safety policies.



[ENDS]

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ghana: The Deafening Silence Around Being Tested Positive

2003-09-11

http://ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=19985

Diagnosed with HIV three years ago, Kabuki is determined not to let her sexual partner know. “He has lived with me for many years but has not bothered to perform the marriage rites. He thinks he is taking me for a ride. Why should I tell him?” she asks. Thirty- five-year-old year old Kabuki, who hails from one of Ghana's HIV endemic areas, says she is afraid her partner will abandon her as has been the case of many other women who were brave enough to reveal their status.

kenya: AIDS Kills 750 Daily

2003-09-11

http://allafrica.com/stories/200309100144.html

About 750 Kenyans die of Aids daily. And 830 contract the virus daily and need anti-retroviral drugs, Kenya's Principal Public Health Specialist, Dr Wilfred M. Kisungu said on Monday evening at Hotel Africana. Kisungu works at the Kenya Medical Research Institute. He said more than one million children in Kenya have been orphaned by Aids.

LIBERIA: Health workers start battle against malaria

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/hivaids/16949

Malaria accounts for between 30 and 45 percent of all illnesses reported at health centres for displaced people in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, a health worker leading the fight against the disease said last Thursday. "The majority of the cases are children below five years of age and pregnant mothers. There are also many cases of premature births due to malaria," Caroline Lynch of the American John Hopkins University malaria programme, the MENTOR Initiative, told IRIN.
LIBERIA: Health workers start battle against malaria

MONROVIA, 4 September (IRIN) - Malaria accounts for between 30 and 45 percent of all illnesses reported at health centers for displaced people in the Liberian capital, Monrovia, a health worker leading the fight against the disease said on Thursday.

"The majority of the cases are children below five years of age and pregnant mothers. There are also many cases of premature births due to malaria," Caroline Lynch of the American John Hopkins University malaria programme, the MENTOR Initiative, told IRIN.

MENTOR is coordinating an inter-agency response to malaria in Liberia, with the Ministry of Health and various non-governmental organizations.

An estimated 300,000 displaced people live in more than 110 temporary shelters in Monrovia, after fleeing fighting between government troops and rebels belonging to two groups - Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL).

"Displaced people are more prone to malaria because they are outdoors and are more exposed to the mosquitoes that spread it," Lynch said. "Also in situations of displacement, the body immunity tends to be lower than normal," Lynch said.

"West Africa is a highly endemic region for malaria and Monrovia is right
now in the middle of the rainy season. There are a lot more mosquitoes
breeding within the city's pools of stagnant water," she added.

LURD attacked Monrovia repeatedly between June and early August, overrunning the western suburbs in an effort to oust the government of former President Charles Taylor. Peace talks in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, eventually led to a ceasefire agreement between the warring parties and Taylor's departure to exile in Nigeria.

But although the fighting stopped in this city of over one million people on 4 August, most of those who were previously living in camps for displaced people on the outskirts still fear to return home.

To address the situation, the MENTOR Initiative, the Malaria Control Division of the Liberian Ministry of Health and other health agencies have developed a national strategic plan for malaria control.

They are launching health education campaigns among the displaced and are stockpiling various medicines to treat malaria. These include 120,000 doses of combination therapy, which contain artesunate and amodiaquine, and 5,000 doses of artemether. They are also providing 120,000 rapid testing kits for the disease.

Twenty sprayers and chemicals and 3,000 insecticide treated tarpaulins have also been brought in. At least 7,000 more tarpaulins are expected. These will be supplied to provide mosquito repellant barriers at shelters for displaced, such as schools and the national sports stadium.

Outside Monrovia, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) this week started building shelters for 13,000 newly displaced people at the Science College of the University of Liberia, near Kakata, 45 km north of Monrovia using insecticide treated plastic sheets.

These will form part of the ceilings and walls of the shelters and the partitions between family sleeping spaces.

Lynch said intensive malaria control activities would be launched within two to three weeks, beginning in the city centre and spreading out to camps on the outskirts of Monrovia.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of cholera reported cases in Monrovia rose to 1405 in the week to August 24 from 1203 in the previous seven-day period.

Omar Khatib, the WHO representative to Liberia, said the rise reflected better reporting rather than an absolute increase in new cases. He noted that relatively few people were dying from the disease and this showed the epidemic was being managed properly.

Only eight deaths from cholera were reported in August.

"The increase in cases is because data is now being collected from more health centres as part of activities of the recently established active weekly surveillance data collection. There are now more health facilities reporting on cholera and diarrhea," Khatib said.

Ealier this week, Khatib said the number of cholera cases in Monrovia had stabilised, but there was still a serious epidemic in the city.


[ENDS]

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NAMIBIA: HIV-AIDS VIDEOS LAUNCHED

2003-09-11

http://www.africapulse.org.za/index.php?action=viewarticle&articleid=1506

“Men are the cause of many problems in society. We make children, we infect women and then we turn our backs on them. What kind of life is that for a woman?" This was the message of Koffie Plaatjies, the first man to go public with his HIV-Aids status in the Erongo region, when he spoke at the launch of the Take Control video series.

NIGERIA: Dozens die in cholera outbreak in northern Nigeria

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/hivaids/16929

An outbreak of cholera in Zamfara State in northwest Nigeria has killed dozens of people with scores admitted in hospitals, officials said on Friday. The first cases were reported more than a week ago in the remote villages of Makera, Sanna, Salo and Marinai in Talata-Mafara local council area. Alhassan Abubakar, an official of the General Hospital, Talata-Mafara said at least 40 people had so far died with about 54 people receiving treatment in the hospital.
NIGERIA: Dozens die in cholera outbreak in northern Nigeria

KANO, NORTHERN NIGERIA, 7 September (IRIN) - An outbreak of cholera in Zamfara State in northwest Nigeria has killed dozens of people with scores admitted in hospitals, officials said on Friday.

The first cases were reported more than a week ago in the remote villages of Makera, Sanna, Salo and Marinai in Talata-Mafara local council area. Alhassan Abubakar, an official of the General Hospital, Talata-Mafara said at least 40 people had so far died with about 54 people receiving treatment in the hospital.

"Most of the dead died on their way to hospital," he told IRIN. The worst hit villages, he added, were a long way from the nearest hospitals.

Health workers had been dispatched with drugs and other vital supplies to the affected areas after reports of the epidemic reached the local council authorities, Abubakar Aliyu Maradun, a local government official said.

Cholera, according to the World Health Organisation is "an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacterium vibrio cholerae". After a short incubation period of between one and five days, the patient suffers severe diarrhoea and vomiting, with consequent dehydration. Without early treatment, it can lead to death.

The infection is usually associated with poor hygiene and drinking of contaminated water.

The majority of the people in the affected region depend on rivers and streams for their drinking water. The disease tends to increase at the peak of the rainy season as water flows downstream carrying many impurities, health officials said.


[ENDS]

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south africa: AIDS Activist Takes AIDS Drugs

2003-09-11

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=515&ncid=723&e=5&u=/ap/20030909/ap_on_re_af/south_africa_aids

A high-profile AIDS activist, who had vowed not to take AIDS drugs until the general South African population had access to them, announced Monday he has begun taking the potentially lifesaving medication. Zackie Achmat changed his mind following the government's instructions to the health ministry to plan for the possible distribution of AIDS drugs to the public, the South African Press Association reported.

SUDAN: Health interventions lag behind needs - UNICEF

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/hivaids/16996

Despite the considerable resources invested in health care in southern Sudan over the years, the impact they have made "seems pale in comparison to the continuing needs", says the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, in a new report. "Access to health care is not good and it is not improving," the author of the report, Dr Michaleen Richer, told IRIN. Without roads and transport to bring people to health services, communications systems between health workers and people living in rural areas, and higher levels of education to allow people to diagnose correctly and prevent illness from occurring, no real impact would be made, she said.
SUDAN: Health interventions lag behind needs - UNICEF

NAIROBI, 9 September (IRIN) - Despite the considerable resources invested in health care in southern Sudan over the years, the impact they have made "seems pale in comparison to the continuing needs", says the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF, in a new report.

A combination of chronic underdevelopment, acute natural disasters and ongoing civil strife, meant that health care needs were still not being met in many places, said the agency in a report entitled "Overview of the Health Situation in Sudan 2002".

"Access to health care is not good and it is not improving," the author of the report, Dr Michaleen Richer, told IRIN. Without roads and transport to bring people to health services, communications systems between health workers and people living in rural areas, and higher levels of education to allow people to diagnose correctly and prevent illness from occurring, no real impact would be made, she said.

She added that routine immunisations and preventative health care were "very poorly supported" by local Sudanese populations, who had to concern themselves with the basic needs in life - finding food, clothing and shelter.

Similarly mothers were unable to walk for kilometers to a health centre to access medical care during pregnancy, she said. "One of the leading failures in health interventions is care for pregnant mothers and women of child-bearing age," noted Richer. Only 22 percent of deliveries in southern Sudan were attended by a trained health care worker, UNICEF reported.

Sudan has only about 1,500 hospital beds for the some eight million people in the rebel-controlled areas of Equatoria, Bahr el Ghazal, Upper Nile, the Nuba mountains and Southern Blue Nile.

Many of the most common illnesses in Sudan are easily preventable and treatable, if people could only access quality health care. Malaria is the most common illness diagnosed by health workers, followed by diarrhoeal infections, respiratory ailments, intestinal parasites, eye and skin diseases and sexually transmitted diseases. Others include Guinea worm, trachoma, onchocerciasis, elephantiasis, sleeping sickness, Kala azar, TB, and leprosy.

Sudan currently had 80 percent of the world's Guinea worm cases, according to Richer, which could easily be prevented if people had access to clean water.

There are currently about 66 agencies involved in health provision to southern Sudan - 19 of which are Sudanese agencies - but the spread of their services is unequal. Equatoria has 26 percent of the population and 48 percent of the facilities, while Bahr el Ghazal has 49 percent of the population and only 21 percent of the facilities. In the rebel-controlled areas of Southern Blue Nile there are only four agencies operating and in the Nuba Mountains only three.

In 2002, it is estimated that more than US $55 million was spent by agencies on health care in southern Sudan, UNICEF reported.







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africa: Deworming School Children Costs Just 20 Cents a Year , WHO Says

2003-09-11

http://allafrica.com/stories/200309100107.html

School children in Africa can be treated for intestinal worms and schistosomes - the parasites that cause bilharzia - in association with school feeding programmes for as little as 20 US cents per year, an expert from the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday. Bilharzia is transmitted by parasites present in snails that live in still fresh water and is a major problem for communities that live near lakes and dams. The WHO reckons it is directly responsible for the death of 200,000 people per year in Africa alone.

cameroon: Malnutrition, Disease Stunt Children's Growth

2003-09-11

http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=20020

Cameroon is not known for the famine and drought that devastate much of Africa each year. Blessed with abundant rainfall, it is part of the equatorial forest where surplus food is always produced. The problem, as Jacques Boyer, coordinator of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Cameroon, recently found out has to do with the lack of balanced diet and poverty. ''Some 54.1 percent of Cameroon's children have stunted growth because of malnutrition,'' he said.

drc: Children at war

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/education/17005

The ruthless exploitation of Congo's children by leaders of armed forces to further their own material and political ends is the most egregious example of human rights abuses in the entire conflict in the Congo, Amnesty International says in a new report. The recruitment and use of children under 18 in armed conflict constitute war crimes and, as such, they are crimes against the entire international community, not just against children in the DRC, said the report.
News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International
AI INDEX: AFR 62/036/2003 9 September 2003

Democratic Republic of Congo: Children at war

Although the Transitional Government of National Unity of Democratic
Republic of Congo (DRC) has recently been established, thousands of
children in the DRC continue to compelled to sacrifice their childhood for
the political and military advancement of the leaders of the country's
warring parties. As child soldiers, they face a catalogue of abuses: many
are killed, all carry the physical and psychological scars of their
experiences.

"The recruitment and use of children under 18 in armed conflict constitute
war crimes and, as such, they are crimes against the entire international
community, not just against children in DRC," the organization said in
Democratic Republic of Congo: Children at war, a new report documenting the
plight of thousands of child soldiers in the Great Lakes region.

"The ruthless exploitation of Congo's children by leaders of armed forces
to further their own material and political ends is the most egregious
example of human rights abuses in of the entire conflict in the Congo,"
Amnesty International said. "The international community should bring
pressure on all parties involved in the DRC, including leaders of all armed
groups, to hold recruiters accountable for their acts, and to bring them to
justice at the international and national levels."

Children interviewed by Amnesty International, after they escaped or have
been demobilized, give horrifying accounts of how the armed conflicts in
the DRC have affected them both physically and psychologically. As one
recounted: "We had to walk for days. At night, I had to raid villages in
order to get some food. In October, I was part of the attack on Uvira. It
was horrible. I was afraid and didn't want to kill anybody or be killed.
After the attack, I left my gun and ran away."

Since 1996, thousands of children have been press ganged into the army and
militias in the DRC. Recruitment drives are almost continuous and forcible
conscription is prevalent although voluntary enlistment is also widespread.

Children have been abducted in the streets or taken from classrooms,
refugee camps or camps for the internally displaced. Many others have also
been taken from their homes at gunpoint, as their distraught parents looked
on helplessly. Others have reported being picked up while playing in their
neighbourhood or walking along the road. Some children are known to have
voluntarily joined the army or militia forces on being separated from their
families and in conditions of poverty and the collapse of basic social
services such as educational and health centres.

Once recruited, children are usually sent to training camps along with
adult conscripts for military training and indoctrination. Here, they are
subjected to violent treatment and in some camps, children have died from
deplorable conditions. After a few weeks of training, the children are
deployed to the frontlines for combat to be used as cannon fodder.
Frontline missions include serving as decoys, detectors of enemy positions,
bodyguards for commandants, or sex slaves. Most girl soldiers have reported
being sexually exploited or raped by their commanders or other soldiers.
Boys and girls are also often used as porters for ammunition, water and
food, or as cooks.

Once on the frontlines, children are repeatedly forced to commit abuses,
including rape and murder, against enemy soldiers and civilians. Some have
been made to kill their own family members, while others have been forced
to engage in cannibalistic or sexual acts with the corpses of enemies
killed in battle. Children are often given drugs and alcohol to steel their
emotions as they carry out these crimes.

This was the case with Kalami, aged 15, a six-year veteran of the one of
the armed groups in eastern DRC: "We were told to kill people by forcing
them to stay in their homes while we burned them down. We even had to bury
some alive. One day, my friends and I were forced by our commanders to kill
a family, to cut up their bodies and to eat them ... My life is lost. I
have nothing to live for. At night, I can no longer sleep. I keep thinking
of those horrible things I have seen and done when I was a soldier."

The personal price paid by child soldiers is often high: brutalised and
deeply traumatised by their experiences, many continue to be haunted by the
memories of the abuses they witnessed or were forced to commit. For girl
soldiers, beyond the brutality and trauma of rape itself, sexual assault
may result in serious physical injury and forced pregnancy, as well as
infection with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Some former child soldiers who have been demobilised told Amnesty
International that they are afraid to return to their communities because
the local people witnessed them taking part in crimes.

International opinion has strengthened against the illegality and
immorality of recruiting and using children in conflicts. International
consensus on the prohibition of recruitment and use of children now exists
to discourage this practice throughout the DRC. Most of the warring parties
in the DRC have committed themselves to end the recruitment and use of
child soldiers.

However, there is a vast discrepancy between public commitments and actual
attempts made by various governments and armed groups to protect children
from being used as combatants. The demobilization of child soldiers has
been too timid and limited in scale to have any real effect on the problem.
Demobilization initiatives often ignore the crucial role played by families
and local communities in the child's successful reintegration into civilian
life.

In eastern Congo, the potential re-recruitment of former child soldiers
remains one of the biggest challenges to demobilisation efforts throughout
the country.

"Going beyond the legal and political abolition of recruitment and use of
child soldiers, economic development and peace building efforts must be
addressed, so that demobilization and rehabilitation of former child
soldiers can be sustainable. If not addressed properly, its legacy for the
DRC, and for its children who witnessed and committed crimes, will be
profound and enduring" the organization concluded.


For more information please see the full report: Democratic Republic of
Congo: Children at war
http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maabqKDaa0nKvbd5AQwb/

AI pages on the DRC conflict:
http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maabqKDaa0nKwbd5AQwb/

Video - Children at War in the DRC:
http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maabqKDaa0nKTbd5AQwb/

Stop the slaughter now! Sign the petition today to help end the escalating
human rights crisis: http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maabqKDaa0nKxbd5AQwb/

ETHIOPIA: FUNDS arrive TO HELP CUT MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION

2003-09-11

http://allafrica.com/stories/200309090243.html

Ethiopia has been awarded US$5 million to help prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies, officials announced on Monday. Health Minister Dr Kebede Tadesse warned that HIV/AIDS could soon become the biggest killer in children under five years old in Ethiopia.

ETHIOPIA: Polio vaccination campaign underway

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/education/16945

Almost a million children are being vaccinated in Ethiopia as part of the global polio eradication campaign which aims to eliminate the crippling disease by 2005. Tens of thousands of children aged between six months and 14 years are being targeted under the joint government and United Nations campaign in remote Somali Region.
ETHIOPIA: Polio vaccination campaign underway

ADDIS ABABA, 5 September (IRIN) - Almost a million children are being vaccinated in Ethiopia as part of the global polio eradication campaign which aims to eliminate the crippling disease by 2005.

Tens of thousands of children aged between six months and 14 years are being targeted under the joint government and United Nations campaign in remote Somali Region.

The weeklong polio, measles and vitamin A vaccination campaign is aimed at strengthening the fight against the food crisis that has hit the country.

Children weakened by the drought that has affected 13.2 million people in Ethiopia are particularly susceptible to disease, humanitarian agencies warned.

"With some of the highest child mortality rates and lowest immunisation levels in the country, children in Somali region are very vulnerable to diseases like polio and measles," said Bjorn Ljungqvist, who heads the UN's Children Fund (UNICEF) in Ethiopia.

"It is vital that we use these campaigns to target as many children as possible, and also use this opportunity to strengthen regular immunisation and health services in the region."

Ethiopia is not yet rid of the scourge of polio which needs three years of close surveillance without new cases to be certified polio free.

"This campaign is part of an ongoing effort to eradicate polio from the country and the world," added Angela Benson, acting head of the World Health Organisation.

"It is crucial that we persevere until every child can be guaranteed a life safe from this disease."


[ENDS]

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GHANA: IOM returns over 1,200 children sold by their parents

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/education/16937

More than 1,200 children who were sold by poor families on the coast of Ghana to fishermen on Lake Volta will be returned to their parents next week in an operation organised by the International Organisation of Migration (IOM). The programme is voluntary and involves measures to boost the incomes of parents who sold children into virtual slave labour for as little as US $180 to dissuade them from continuing the practise.
GHANA: IOM returns over 1,200 children sold by their parents

ACCRA, 5 September (IRIN) - More than 1,200 children who were sold by poor families on the coast of Ghana to fishermen on Lake Volta will be returned to their parents next week in an operation organised by the International Organisation of Migration (IOM).

The programme is voluntary and involves measures to boost the incomes of parents who sold children into virtual slave labour for as little as US $180 to dissuade them from continuing the practise.

They will receive business advice and will be offered small loans to start new businesses such as food stalls and small kiosks that sell basic goods.

Similar help will also be offered to the Lake Volta fishermen in central and northern Ghana, who acquired the children - including some who were only three years old. They will be taught more effective fishing techniques or encouraged to earn money in new ways, such as by raising livestock.

This pilot project will cost about $560,000, of which IOM has so far only been able to raise about 62 percent in the form of a grant from the US government.

Ernest Taylor, the project coordinator, said the 1,203 children being reunited with their families represented a small fraction of the Ghanaian children sold by their parents into virtual slavery.

"There are a lot more children out there who are still bonded in forced labour, especially in fishing communities in the Northern Region," he told IRIN. The ones we are freeing come from only 12 communities that we identified and visited before we started the project."

Eric Okrah, at the Ghana office of the International Labour Organization (ILO), said no detailed research had been done into the total number of children in forced labour in the country. He noted that the inaccessible nature of many of the small fishing communities along the Volta river made it difficult to estimate the numbers present there.

But he stressed: "The Yeji area, where IOM is currently operating, is just one centre out of many. However, the numbers that organization is working with give an indication of how big this problem is."

Raising enough money to complete the IOM's present pilot project is still a headache. "What we are doing now might come to a definite end if we do not get additional funding," Taylor warned.

Okrah stressed that in order to be socially useful, the IOM project to reunite children with their families must be sustained.

The ILO official warned that short-term projects of less than two years to stop child trafficking create more problems than they solve. He said in the past there had been cases of children who had been freed and reunited with their parents only to be sold into bondage again.

The children currently in the care of the IOM were indentified earlier this year and are currently staying at a special transit camp at the lakeside town of Yeji, 500 km north of the capital Accra.

Next week they will be taken back to rejoin their families, most of whom belong to poor sea fishing communities on the Atlantic coast.

The scheme works by offering all those involved economic incentives for their cooperation rather than by threatening them with punishment for breaking the law.

IOM says it secured the freedom of the children from their former employers voluntarily in exchange for training, modern fishing equipment and micro credits aimed at improving fishing techniques or helping the fishermen engage in other income generating activities such as animal husbandry.

"We insist on the voluntary nature of the project where these fishermen pledge to release the children. This is more effective than using coercion since there are currently no specific laws in Ghana against human trafficking," Taylor said.

The parents are also assisted financially to start or expand on small-scale businesses, with which they can look after their families instead of selling their children off for paltry sums.

"We will continue to monitor the placements of these children with their families and their schools. Though we have activated a mechanism to ensure that these children do not revert to their previous situation, everything depends on funding," Taylor added.

Traditionally, it has been common practice in Ghana for impoverished parents to hand over their children to be cared for by relatives and friends.

However, in recent years this age-old custom has been exploited by child traffickers for financial gain, especially by fishermen from communities bordering Lake Volta, a vast expanse of inland water created by the Akosombo hydro-electric dam.

Parents from very poor families often let their children go "to assist" these fishermen for as little as 1.5 million cedis ($180).

Most are boys aged between 3 and 14 who are forced to work long hours casting and drawing nets. They are poorly fed and never paid. Sometimes, they drown in their attempts to retrieve nets caught on tree stumps at the bottom of the lake.

"We found most of the children to be suffering from bilharzia and intestinal ailments," Taylor said. "They are being treated at the Catholic Hospital at Yeji, but these are some of the costs which we had not budgeted for."

Ghana's Children's Act of 1998 and other legislation is supposed to protect children from being subjected to exploitative labour. Those found guilty can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $1,150.

However, in practice there have been few prosecutions and the selling of children into forced labour continues largely unchecked - a bi-product of dire poverty.

A senior government official told IRIN that new Trafficking In Persons Prevention Bill was currently at the drafting stage to fill a gap in the law.

"We are inviting inputs from non-governmental agencies and other organizations that are working in this sector in order to make it a very comprehensive law," he said.

"However, we must ensure that a thin line is drawn between children who of their own volition help their parents in small-scale businesses and.....the activities of those who exploit and traffic children for labour," the official added.







[ENDS]

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MALAWI/ZAMBIA: Widespread rural food insecurity

2003-09-11

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=36496

The lack of assets in rural households struggling with the impact of HIV/AIDS in Malawi and Zambia is making them extremely vulnerable to shocks such as last year's drought, a recent survey has found. The Malawi and Zambia surveys found that about 80 percent of rural households in the two countries could be "classified as 'asset poor' or 'very poor'".

Namibia: Centre for disabled children defies odds

2003-09-11

http://www.africapulse.org.za/index.php?action=viewarticle&articleid=1509

Parents and some volunteers taking care of about 20 disabled children have continued to run the Oponganda Centre for Children with Disabilities at Grysblok in Katutura, after its formal sponsors withdrew in 2001.

south africa: developing child welfare indicators

2003-09-11

http://www.africapulse.org.za/index.php?action=viewarticle&articleid=1510

Poverty, unemployment and inequality appear to be increasing in South Africa. At least 45% of the South African population live in absolute poverty, and many households still have unsatisfactory access to clean water, energy, health care and education. This was part of the rationale for a workshop organised as part of an ongoing effort to consolidate data and advance a co-ordinated approach for the further collection of child well-being indicators.

south africa: Delays frustrate judge in boeremag trial

2003-09-11

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_1413792,00.html

Pretoria judge Eben Jordaan expressed frustration on Tuesday at repeated delays in the Boeremag treason trial, which has still not gotten underway nearly four months after its scheduled starting date. The 22 men stand accused of plotting to overthrow the government as members of the rightwing Boeremag organisation, with the aim of declaring a "Boer" republic.

south africa: Rugby racism probe postponed

2003-09-11

http://www.mg.co.za/Content/l3.asp?ao=20237&t=1

The inquiry led by retired judge Edwin King into alleged racism in South African rugby has been postponed until early next year to allow the Springboks to prepare unburdened for the Rugby World Cup in Australia next month. This was revealed at a special media conference in Durban on Tuesday night attended by Minister of Sport and Recreation Ngconde Balfour in which Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli and manager Gideon Sam apologised for an error in judgement in the manner in which they handled the Geo Cronje and Quinton Davids race issue.

africa: Climate change threatens environment, says wwf

2003-09-11

http://www.terradaily.com/2003/030909125607.3y7wsnb5.html

A radical change in global climate patterns is causing irreversible damage to the environment, the WWF ecology group warned at an international conservation event in South Africa Tuesday. Coral reefs are under threat due to bleaching, glaciers are melting and species and communities are being forced to migrate, resulting in the loss of rare animals, a WWF study released at the World Parks Congress (WPC) showed.
Related Link:
* Environment in the spotlight
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3089446.stm

africa: Green Agenda Hidden in Investment Talks

2003-09-11

http://www.ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=20065

Although ”green” issues will be most noted for their absence at the WTO ministerial conference in Cancun this week, conservationist groups fear that talks will be initiated on new regulations for international investment, which could challenge the existing trade rules that protect the environment.

africa: ministers warn of water wars

2003-09-11

http://www.enn.com/news/2003-09-10/s_8275.asp

African countries could face water wars if the power of their mighty rivers isn't properly harnessed and shared, officials from across the continent said Tuesday. Government ministers from 19 African nations discussed how to streamline and better utilize three main river basins - the Nile, the Zambezi, and the Senegal - that constitute the economic backbone of the countries they drain.

africa: World protected areas top 100,000 mark but climate change threatens many

2003-09-11

http://www.terradaily.com/2003/030909164752.agn5q8jb.html

The number of environmentally protected areas across the globe adds up to more than 100,000, the United Nations announced Tuesday, as leading environmentalists warned global warming was already causing irreparable damage to many sites. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) published a new database of protected areas at the opening of a 10-day congress on world parks, that kicked off in South Africa's eastern port city of Durban Monday.

car: Conference debates national policy on water, forestry

2003-09-11

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=36454

A national conference to draft a new policy on water and forestry in the Central African Republic (CAR) opened on Monday in the capital, Bangui, with 250 delegates in attendance. CAR leader Francois Bozize opened the four-day conference, which the minister for water, forestry, fishing and hunting, Maurice Yondo, said was to "value and guarantee forestry resources" in the country.

south africa: big business will benefit from toll road project

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/environment/17004

Communities in the ecologically sensitive Wild Coast region have declared that a proposed multi-billion rand toll road will not benefit established communities. "The motive for this road is not for the development of the local people and communities but profits for big business, notably engineering, trucking, mining and finance corporations," declared a resolution against the road.
N2 Toll Road Resolution To The Minister of Environmental Affairs,
The Hon. M.V. Moosa
Taken At A Public Meeting In Kokstad 8th September 2003


At a public meeting of Eastern Cape and East Griqualand residents held in
the Kokstad Town Hall on 8th September 2003 the following resolution was
unanimously passed:

WHEREAS we recognize the Government's commitment to bring development to the
impoverished regions of the Eastern Cape;

AND WHEREAS we endorse the upgrading of roads and the development of
communication infrastructures;

WE ARE NEVERTHELESS CONVINCED:
1. That the proposed N2 toll road between Lusikisiki and Port Edward will
not benefit the local people and will be highly detrimental to the
established communities of the Eastern Cape and East Griqualand;

2. That the motive for this road is not for the development of the local
people and communities but profits for big business, notably engineering,
trucking, mining and finance corporations;

3. That the essential practices of democracy are being undermined by this
project;

4. That it would be quite immoral of the government to spend R1.9 billion
(or whatever the cost is) of taxpayers money to pay for two suspension
bridges, so that a private consortium can then levy the public on a toll
road;

5. That taxpayers money should be used for training and development of local
people and not for the economic benefit of national and multinational
corporations;

6. That neither the proposed toll road nor the possibility of mining will
bring meaningful employment nor sustainable opportunities for economic
upliftment to the local inhabitants of the Eastern Cape. On the contrary, it
could have disastrous effects on established businesses;

7. That both the mining and the road will irreparably destroy the ecotourist
potential of the Pondoland Coast;

8. That both the mining and road will endanger and even destroy a quite
unique botanical region. It is impossible to rehabilitate the botanical
diversity found there;

9. That since the Pondoland Wild Coast is a global botanical hotspot with
180 known plant species that occur nowhere else in the world, and its quite
exceptional features include three major and five smaller waterfalls that
tumble straight into the ocean, the Government's responsibility is to
protect and preserve this unique area for our children;

10. That the Pondoland Wild Coast, and certainly Mkambati, is so exceptional
it should be granted the status of a World Heritage Site;

11. That the government should clearly explain to the public of the towns in
the region how they foresee this road bringing economic benefits to the poor
and the general public that an upgrading of the present roads will not
achieve.

WE THEREFORE RESOLVE TO REQUEST THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, THE
HON. M V MOOSA, TO:

1. Reject the Wild Coast Consortium's unsolicited bid to build the N2 Toll
Road through the "greenfields section" alongside the proposed Pondoland
Park;

2. Reject any attempts to mine in the area proposed for the Pondoland Park;

3. Upgrade the present roads and build sensitive and discrete roads for
ecotourist development instead of destructive motorways;

4. Explore alternative routes for the N2 and consult local communities
regarding the development of roads;

5. Spend public funds on upgrading existing roads and developing people
rather than paying for two costly bridges for private companies;

6. Establish the Pondoland Park as a matter or urgency;

7. Declare the proposed Pondoland Park a World Heritage Site.

tanzania: they made a mess of nigeria...

2003-09-11

http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/feature/story/0,13026,1039299,00.html

he oil business does not run smoothly - or cleanly – anywhere in Africa. So what kind of trouble will the oil companies cause when they start drilling off the coast of Tanzania next year? If there is to be a reconciliation between economics and conservation, the ecology of the whole coastline needs to be considered. This process will involve understanding that money and ecology must work in concert.

uganda: Government Looks for Bujagali Power Project Developer

2003-09-11

http://allafrica.com/stories/200309070086.html

A leading French company is among those the Government has nominated to be contacted over the possibility of constructing the stalled Bujagali hydro-electric power project in Jinja. Sources said the French-owned Electricite De France (EDF), Union Fonesa International of Spain, South Africa's Eskom Enterprises Pty and the UK-based CDC Capital Partners were among those short-listed for the delayed 250-megawatt Bujagali dam.

zimbabwe: WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND LAND REFORM: A COMPATIBLE PAIRING OR A CONTRADICTION?

2003-09-11

http://www.ids.ac.uk/ids/env/PDFs/wRP01.pdf

Is land reform compatible with wildlife management? Zimbabwe is seeking to combine the redistribution of large, 'under-utilised' landholdings to smallholders, with wildlife management, which needs extensive land holdings to be viable. Whilst one stresses direct redistribution, equity and land for crops, the other emphasises maximising foreign exchange earnings, encouraging public-private partnerships and relies on trickle down. This paper by the Department of Sociology at the University of Zimbabwe considers why Zimbabwe is attempting to combine the two, and whether it is possible.

africa/global: Death Watch 2003

2003-09-11

http://www.freemedia.at/index1.html

Forty-two journalists have been killed worldwide in 2003 so far, according to the International Press Institute. In Africa, Kloueu Gonzreu, 51, a correspondent for the state-run news agency, Agence Ivoirienne de Presse, was found dead by a team from the Red Cross near Toulepleu, a town in the western part of the country, where Liberian mercenaries employed by the Ivorian government reportedly kidnapped the journalist on January 11.

car: CPJ concerned about state of press freedom

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/media/17036

e Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says it is deeply concerned about the state of press freedom in the Central African Republic. One journalist, Michel Ngokpele, publication director of the privately owned French-language daily Le Quotidien de Bangui, is languishing in prison after receiving a six-month sentence on June 26 for defamation and "inciting ethnic hatred," both deemed offences under the Central African Republic's Press Law.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_________________________________________________________________

ACTION ALERT - CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

10 September 2003

CPJ concerned about state of press freedom as "National Dialogue" opens

SOURCE: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), New York

**For further information on the Ngokpele case, see IFEX alert of 7 July 2003; for the Samba case, see alerts of 15 July 2003; for the Bambou case, see alert of 15 July 2003**

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 9 September 2003 CPJ letter to President François Bozizé:

September 9, 2003

His Excellency François Bozizé
President of the Central African Republic
C/o The Embassy of the Central African Republic
1618 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Via facsimile: (202) 332-9893

Your Excellency:

As the start of your government's "National Dialogue," which opens today and runs through September 20 and is aimed at reconciling the Central African Republic after years of war, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) writes to respectfully remind you of the many challenges facing Central African media, in the hopes that they may be addressed at this forum. This is especially important in light of Your Excellency's plans, according to local and international press, to have a new constitution drafted and approved by 2005.

CPJ is deeply concerned about the state of press freedom in the Central African Republic. One journalist, Michel Ngokpele, publication director of the privately owned French-language daily Le Quotidien de Bangui, is languishing in prison after receiving a six-month sentence on June 26 for defamation and "inciting ethnic hatred," both deemed offenses under the Central African Republic's Press Law.

Police arrested Ngokpele on May 18 in Mbaiki, a city in the southwestern part of the country, after the journalist's article ran in his paper detailing corruption and embezzling allegedly carried out by Dr. Thomas d'Acquin Koyazégbé, head doctor at the Mbaiki hospital. The article also accused a local prosecutor and a police commissioner of sheltering the doctor, hinting that the protection was due to ethnic allegiance, local journalists told CPJ. According to these sources, Dr. Koyazégbé was the only one to press charges.

In July, police harassed two other Central African journalists in the capital, Bangui.

On July 11, police arrested Ferdinand Samba, publication director at the privately owned French-language daily Le Démocrate, and detained him for four days, the journalist told CPJ. The arrest stemmed from a July 8 article by Samba that described an attack in the northern part of the country by rebels with ties to former president Ange-Félix Patassé, who ran the Central African Republic from 1993 to March 2003, when he was ousted by your government.

Faustin Bambou, who is both director of publications and editor-in-chief at the bi-weekly French-language paper Les Collines du Bas-Oubangui, was questioned by police officers on July 7 and 8, after his article appeared on July 3 alleging that a businessman named Mahamat Youssouf was using his connections to members of the government to extort money in exchange for setting up government contracts. Bambou was again questioned the following week, in the office of the General Prosecutor.

Both Samba and Bambou said that they refused to reveal the names of their sources. Several local journalists told CPJ that Your Excellency's communications minister, Parfait Mbaye, intervened on Samba and Bambou's behalf.

While CPJ understands that the Central African press is young, we believe that an open environment with civil - instead of criminal - restitution for press offenses is the best way to foster media professionalism. Furthermore, several local journalists have expressed concern that charges such as "inciting ethnic hatred" are vague and could be used to punish journalists for reporting on matters of public concern.

CPJ wishes to remind Your Excellency of your speech on June 25, quoted in full by state news agency Centrafrique-Presse, in which you stated that "Central Africans are free to express their opinions without fear of imprisonment." Your Excellency also stated that "The final objective of the transition period is peace, security, national reconciliation, and the laying down of a base for durable economic expansion and the organization of free and truly democratic elections." CPJ believes that only an environment that fosters press freedom is one that allows for the full exercise of democracy.

As an independent organization of journalists dedicated to defending our colleagues worldwide, CPJ demands the immediate, unconditional release of Michel Ngokpele, and we call on Your Excellency to ensure that your stated commitment to improving press freedom is fully upheld. Toward this end, CPJ respectfully urges you to revise the harsh Press Law currently in effect in the Central African Republic and decriminalize press offenses in line with international standards of press freedom.

We thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Ann K. Cooper
Executive Director

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Similar appeals can be sent to:

His Excellency François Bozizé
President of the Central African Republic
C/o The Embassy of the Central African Republic
1618 22nd Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
United States
Fax: +1 202 332 9893

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

For further information, contact Adam Posluns (ext. 107) at CPJ, 330 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10001, U.S.A., tel: +1 212 465 1004, fax: +1 212 465 9568, e-mail: africa@cpj.org, aposluns@cpj.org, Internet: http://www.cpj.org/

The information contained in this action alert is the sole responsibility of CPJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit CPJ.
_________________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
489 College Street, Suite 403,Toronto (ON) M6G 1A5 CANADA
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts e-mail: alerts@ifex.org general e-mail: ifex@ifex.org
Internet site: http://www.ifex.org/
_________________________________________________________________

gambia: media protest National Media Commission

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/media/16947

In a joint protest, the Media Foundation for West Africa and ARTICLE 19 reiterated their concerns over the Enforcement of the Act establishing the National Media Commission of The Gambia. A letter by the groups calls on media and human rights organisations to support the Gambia Press Union in their boycott of the Media Commission until the present Act is repealed. Radical revisions need to be made in order for the legislation to meet international press freedom standards and to ensure media freedom in The Gambia, they say.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_______________________________________________________________

PRESS RELEASE/UPDATE - THE GAMBIA

4 September 2003

ARTICLE 19 and MFWA protest enforcement of act establishing National Media
Commission

SOURCE: ARTICLE 19, London

**Updates IFEX alerts of 1 August, 7 and 2 May 2002**

(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a joint ARTICLE 19 and Media Foundation
for West Africa (MFWA) press release:

Accra/Johannesburg

In a joint protest, the Media Foundation for West Africa and ARTICLE 19
reiterated their concerns over the Enforcement of the Act establishing the
National Media Commission of The Gambia (NMC Act 2002 No. 7 of 2002).

The letter calls on media and human rights organisations to support the
Gambia Press Union in their boycott of the Media Commission until the
present Act is repealed. Radical revisions need to be made in order for the
legislation to meet international press freedom standards and to ensure
media freedom in The Gambia.

In June this year, the government of President Yahya Jammeh went ahead to
inaugurate the National Media Commission without representatives of the
Gambia Press Union and the Gambia Bar Association. Recently, the Media
Commission has requested that journalists start registering in order to be
able to carry out their profession.

The Gambia Press Union is currently challenging the constitutionality of the
Act before the Supreme Court of The Gambia.

"The Act in its present form is incompatible with international standards;
it is one the most draconian examples of media legislation on the Continent.
Its many problems include the lack of independence of the Media Commission,
the quasi-judicial powers conferred to it and the mandatory licensing
conditions it imposes on individual journalists," say MFWA and ARTICLE 19.

For information on previous statements on The Gambia, visit our web sites
www.article19.org and www.mediafoundationwa.org

For further information, contact Fatou Jagne, ARTICLE 19, Braamfontein
Centre, 23 Jorissen Street Braamfontein 2017, Johannesburg, South Africa,
tel: +27 11 403 1488, fax. +27 11 403 1517, e-mail: fatou@article19.org.za,
info@article19.org.za, Internet: http://www.article19.org; or Jeannette
Quarcoopome, Media Foundation for West Africa, tel: +233 21 242 470, fax:
+233 21 221 084, e-mail: mfwa@africaonline.com.gh

The information contained in this press release/update is the sole
responsibility of ARTICLE 19. In citing this material for broadcast or
publication, please credit ARTICLE 19.
_______________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
489 College Street, Suite 403, Toronto (ON) M6G 1A5 CANADA
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts e-mail: alerts@ifex.org general e-mail: ifex@ifex.org
Internet site: http://www.ifex.org/
_______________________________________________________________

kenya: Catholic Church lobbies to have three novels withdrawn from school

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/media/16939

A lobby group operating under the wing of the Catholic Church in Kenya wants three books withdrawn from the school syllabus, saying they are "morally objectionable." The lobby group, Parent's Caucus, claims that sections of Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe's "A Man of the People" and S. A Mohammed's "Kiu" and "Kitumbua Kimeingia Mchanga" - all set-books for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations (KCSE) - are sexually explicit and contain pornographic material.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_________________________________________________________________

ALERT - KENYA

5 September 2003

Catholic Church lobbies to have three novels withdrawn from school
curriculum

SOURCE: Network for the Defence of Independent Media in Africa (NDIMA),
Nairobi

(NDIMA/IFEX) - A lobby group operating under the wing of the Catholic Church
in Kenya wants three books withdrawn from the school syllabus, saying they
are "morally objectionable."

The lobby group, Parent's Caucus, claims that sections of Nigerian novelist
Chinua Achebe's "A Man of the People" and S. A Mohammed's "Kiu" and
"Kitumbua Kimeingia Mchanga" - all set-books for the Kenya Certificate of
Secondary Education Examinations (KCSE) - are sexually explicit and contain
pornographic material.

The lobby group has collected over 2,000 signatures from parents in the
Kenyan capital, Nairobi, and the neighbouring district of Kiambu. The
signatures are to be presented to the Ministry of Education. Parent's
Caucus, in conjunction with the Catholic Church, is urging parents to append
signatures to a protest note entitled, "Help Kick Pornography Out of the
Classroom", to be sent to the government.

Education Minister George Saitoti said the government was not to blame and
promised a review of the books.

Achebe is a revered literary icon who is widely acknowledged as one of the
greatest writers ever to come out of Africa. His book "A Man of the People"
was published in 1966 and, until now, no objection has ever been raised on
account of any alleged sexual content.

"A Man of the People" describes a fictional post-colonial African state. It
tackles the issues of political representation in a corrupt state and the
problems of an ethnically diverse, economically stratified nation. It also
deals with the corruption, immorality, exploitation, hunger for power and
ever-present threat of political instability that define the
newly-independent African state.

The other two books targeted for alleged sexually explicit material are in
Kiswahili, the Kenyan national language. Mohammed's works may not be as well
known as Achebe's, but all three titles are noted principally for their
socially redeeming themes, which is why they were chosen as literary
set-books.

If it succeeds, the campaign to strike the three novels off the school's
reading lists could throw next month's national secondary school
examinations into disarray.

The call by the lobby group and the church for the banning of the set-books
has met with stiff opposition from literary critics and thespians. They have
been quick to point out that two of the books have been taught in secondary
schools before, and students were not negatively affected. "A Man of the
People" was taught in the 1970s without protest, as was "Kiu" in the
mid-1980s. A top thespian, Albert Wandago, said the call by the Catholic
Church has no basis. In a statement, Wandago said such a move sets a
dangerous precedent, arguing the books were used in secular institutions. He
added that unlike the Islamic "madrassas", where only religions material was
allowed, secular schools cannot avoid such literature.

Emmanuel Ngugi, of the Holy Family Basilica-Nairobi, where the appeal for
signatures was made in the presence of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and the
education minister on 31 August 2003, says the church is "the conscience of
society and must stand up to be counted." He objects to the language used in
the books, saying it is obscene and immoral. "There is nothing morally
redeeming in the female characters in the book, who are merely portrayed as
sex objects," he says of "A Man of the People".

Those pushing for the ban on the books have selected excerpts from "A Man of
the People" that they say are clearly explicit and are likely to excite the
students' imaginations and stir their sexual desires. One parent said, "It
is astounding the kind of literature we are exposing our children to in
classrooms. In fact, it is quite demeaning to women for a man to think that
they can only be recognised or are at their best only in a sexual
relationship."

Educators, on the other hand, take the opposite view and are accusing the
church of overstepping its mandate. Professor Henry Indangasi, a senior
lecturer from the University of Nairobi's Literature Department, said he is
convinced that the critics of Achebe's book are wrong and are deliberately
misinterpreting certain sections in the book to suit their position. "Achebe
is not telling his readers to behave like the characters, but wants them to
learn from the book. People who treat women as sexual objects and then gloat
about it exist in society. It is the failure to teach girls that such men
exist, and that they should be on the lookout for them, that is the
problem," he said.

An author who sought anonymity said the church has no business trying to
comment on issues that should be left to academia. "The view that the books
are pornographic just because they mention sex is myopic and totally
uninformed. There are very many passages in the Bible mentioning and
describing sex, yet the church has never advocated for those sections to be
removed, or for the Bible to be banned," he said.

For further information, contact Sam Mbure or Emily Nyanjugu Njuguna at
NDIMA, P.O. Box 70147 - 00400, Nairobi, Kenya, tel: +254 665 1118, fax: +254
665 0836, e-mail: ndima@ndima.org, Internet: http://www.ndima.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of NDIMA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit NDIMA.
_________________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
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tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts e-mail: alerts@ifex.org general e-mail: ifex@ifex.org
Internet site: http://www.ifex.org/
_________________________________________________________________

Namibia: Suzie and Shafa Show

2003-09-11

http://www.comminit.com/africa/pds32003/sld-402.html

This lifestyles variety radio show, created by youth for youth, airs on the University of Nambia Radio 97.4 FM and can be heard throughout Windhoek. The programmes address different types of lifestyle issues that youth face - alcohol and drug abuse, dating, date rape, staying healthy, and avoiding and preventing STD and HIV infection.

nigeria: JOURNALIST ARRESTED BY POLICE

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/media/16930

The Bureau Chief of The Source magazine in Port Harcourt, Nigeria's delta region, Mr. Lawson Heyford, was arrested on August 23, 2003 by police detectives. Sources said his arrest may not be unconnected with stories he wrote on a communal clash in July in Ataba town, in the Delta region, during which many persons were killed and houses destroyed.
MEDIA IN NIGERIA #02 - 33 (01 SEPTEMBER 2003)

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MEDIA IN NIGERIA is a weekly publication on developments within and
affecting the media/communication/freedom of expression sector in Nigeria.

It is an initiative of the Institute for Media and Society (IMS), a
non-profit,
non-governmental organization based in Lagos, Nigeria.
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NEWS

MEDIA - GENERAL
-JOURNALIST ARRESTED BY POLICE
-JOURNALIST BRUTALISED BY SECURITY OPERATIVES
-ISLAMIC GROUP DISSOCIATES FROM FATWA ON JOURNALIST
-DELTA GOVERNMENT APPOINTS DARAH AS SPECIAL ADVISER

PRINT MEDIA
-NATIONAL LIGHT GET N30M LIFELINE

BROADCAST MEDIA
-NBC RE-OPENS RADIO, TV STATIONS
-UNILAG RADIO STARTS BROADCAST IN DECEMBER

INFOTECH
-GSM OPERATORS AGREE ON TARIFF CUT
-GOVERNMENT SET E-GOVERNMENT DEADLINE

ADVERTISING
-OAAN TO DE-REGIDTER DEBTOR MEMBERS

ANNOUNCEMENT
-JOB VACANCIES AT NCC



MEDIA - GENERAL

JOURNALIST ARRESTED BY POLICE

The Bureau Chief of The Source magazine in Port Harcourt, Nigeria's delta
region, Mr. Lawson Heyford, was arrested on August 23, 2003 by police
detectives.

Sources said his arrest may not be unconnected with stories he wrote on a
communual clash in July in Ataba town, in the Delta region, during which
many persons were killed and houses destroyed.

According to The Punch, one of Nigeria's leading daily newspapers, Heyford
has been transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID)
where he is still being detained.

The police have not given any explanation for his arrest and detention.


JOURNALIST BRUTALISED BY SECURITY OPERATIVES

A photo journalist with the Daily Independent newspaper, Akintunde Akinleye,
was brutalized in Lagos on August 30, by security aides of Vice President
Atiku Abubakar.

The incident occurred at the coronation ceremonies of a traditional king,
Oba Rilwan Akiolu, in central Lagos, Nigeria's commercial Capital.

Trouble started when Akinleye, along with his colleagues, struggled to take
photographs of the Vice President as he arrived the venue of the Ceremony.

His camera flash was broken by one of the mobile policemen, while another
security detail began to hit him with the butt of his gun. Other security
operatives at the scene soon joined in beating him.

The journalist fell and fainted. He was later revived in the hospital.


ISLAMIC GROUP DISSOCIATES FROM FATWA ON JOURNALIST

A group of Islamic clergy in South-west Nigeria, The League of Imams and
Alfas, has distanced itself from the confirmation of the death sentence
(fatwa) placed on former THISDAY's reporter, Miss Isioma Daniel, by the
Islamic body, Jama'atu Nasrul -Islam (JNI), over an alleged blamephemous
article she wrote last year.

According to a story in the Vanguard newspaper, the league said the action
of JNI was capable of heating up the system and destabilizing the nation.

The group also said that since the reporter and the newspaper organization
had apologized to the entire muslim community, they deserved to be pardoned.


DELTA GOVERNMENT APPOINTS DARAH AS SPECIAL ADVISER

The Delta State Government has announced the appointment of former Chairman
of The Guardian editorial board, Professor Godini Gabriel Darah, as Special
Adviser on Public Communications to Governor James Ibori.

Until the new appointment, Darah was the Head of Department of English and
Literary Studies at Delta State University, Abraka.

The appointment takes immediate effect.



PRINT MEDIA

NATIONAL LIGHT GET N30m LIFELINE

The Anambra State Government, south-east Nigeria, has given N30 million to
its newspaper company, National Light, to enable it function effectively.

Information Commissioner, Joe Ofokansi, said in Awka, the state capital,
that the amount, a soft loan, was being paid instalmentally at N5million
monthly.

He said the government would stop the gesture after six months when the
organization should have been able to stabilize and operate independently.



BROADCAST MEDIA

NBC RE-OPENS RADIO, TV STATIONS

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), broadcast regulatory body, on
August 23 re-opened the Benin City - based Independent Radio and Television
which were shut down for allegedly violating some broadcasting codes.

Both stations were earlier shut by the NBC on the claim that they had played
martial music, which created panic in the coverage areas of the stations, as
people thought there was a coup d'etat. It said the action violated its
codes.

However, the management of the stations later wrote to the NBC to explain
that it only played classical music to mourn its former Director of News,
Mr. Abbe Jarikre, who died in an auto crash that day.

Meanwhile, the NBC has asked each station to employ preview staff to monitor
its programmes before going on air.

UNILAG RADIO STARTS BROADCAST IN DECEMBER

The radio station of the University of Lagos, UNILAG Radio, will start
operations in December this year.

The University's Vice Chancellor, Professor Oye Ibidapo- Obe, said on August
27 that the station will transmit on 101.3 of the Frequency Modulation
Wave.

He said the university had ordered for transmitters and that an antenna
would shortly be brought to the campus from the regulatory body, the
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

Prof. Ibidapo Obe revealed that the university had already advertised
internally for key staff to serve as station manager and editors, stressing
that the reason for looking inward in the recruitment of key technical staff
is for budget considerations.



INFOTECH

GSM OPERATORS AGREE ON TARIFF CUT

Subscribers of Global System of Mobile (GSM) telephony in Nigeria may soon
begin to smile if operators make good their promise at an August 28 meeting
with President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abuja.

Special Assistant to the President on Media Affairs, Mrs. Remi Oyo, said
after the meeting that the four GSM Operators - MTN, Econet, NITEL and
Globacom- had agreed to improve their services and reduce tariff.

She said President Obasanjo conveyed his grave concern over the quality of
services, the frustrations of Nigerians, particularly on the high tarrifs
and the fact that there are dropped calls.






GOVERNMENT SETS E- GOVERNANCE DEADLINE

The federal government plans to commence e-governance in 2008, Vice
President Atiku Abubakar has said.

Speaking at the launch of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) website in
Abuja on August 25, Abubakar said that the Federal Government recognized the
role of information technology in modern business and public administration
and was therefore prepared to squarely face the challenges.

"Government will continue to support the introduction of on-line System to
all government services and we are determined that, by 2008, most government
services would be accessible on-line", he said.



ADVERTISING

OAAN TO DE-REGISTER DEBTOR MEMBERS

The Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) has given its debtor
members up till the end of August 2003 to pay up their dues or face
de-registration. OAAN specifically expressed concern over members who owe
the association up to two years' annual financial obligation.

OAAN President, Mr. Ipoola Omisore, said in a statement that an emergency
executive council meeting of the association had reached a decision that all
defaulting members risked being ostracized in all ramifications.

He said that the association could no longer cope with some of its members
who had become non-financial and dormant, adding that it was part of
measures being employed to sanitise the profession.

He said that the proposed de-listing had become necessary because the
association could no longer harbour in its midst members who had become
"financial deadwoods" and OAAN saw it as showing flagrant disregard for
Article 10 section A of the OAAN constitution.



ANNOUNCEMENT

JOB VACANCIES AT NCC

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is seeking qualified candidates
for the following positions in the NCC Telecommunications Training
Institute.

· Director
· Manager. Business Development and Marketing
· Manager, Education and Curriculum Development
· Manager, Administration and Finance
· Manager, Multimedia, Technology and Engineering.

The Institute will be operational in January 2004. All interested
applicants should send an application letter, a resume (CV) and other
appropriate materials via e-mail to:

The Search Committee
NCC Telecom Training Institute
c/o The Executive Vice Chairman
NCC

E-mail: Ndukwe@ncc.gov.ng
cc: Professor Raymond Akwule

E-mail: rakwule@afcomnet.com

Note: Interviews for these positions are planned for Washington DC
(September 5 and 6), Atlanta (September 8 and 9), San Francisco (September
11 & 12), London (September 15 & 16), Abuja (later in September after the US
and UK interviews).



-----ENDS----


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nigeria: Police Attack On Journalists is Censorship, says nlc

2003-09-11

http://allafrica.com/stories/200309090602.html

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the recent police attack on journalists across the country as a clandestine approach to censor the press, and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those behind the acts. The union was reacting to the police brutalisation recently of a photojournalist, Mr. Akintunde Akinleye of the Daily Independent newspaper, a Lagos-based national tabloid.

north africa: IT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NORTH AFRICAN AND ASIAN WOMEN JOURNALISTS

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/media/17041

Internews has launched a major information technology (IT) training program for African and Asian women working in the media and other communication sectors. The program, which provides 430 scholarships, is intended for women in the African countries of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, and the Asian countries of Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
IT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NORTH AFRICAN AND ASIAN WOMEN JOURNALISTS
------------------------------------------------

Internews has launched a major information technology (IT)
training program for African and Asian women working in the media and other communication sectors.

The program, which provides 430 scholarships, is intended for women in the African countries of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco, and the Asian countries of Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The scholarships are reserved for "exceptional" women from low-
income communities who already use IT for public benefit, who can demonstrate entrepreneurship, and who have the potential to become local role models for girls in their societies.

The initiative forms part of Internews' DOT-GOV program, funded by USAID, and managed by the International Institute for Education (IIE). Successful applicants will join CISCO's Networking Academies, which are already located in the North African countries.

Training will include advanced courses in writing, problem solving, Web design, and a series of other technical IT subjects.

Anyone interested in participating learning more should contact Sarah Tisch at Internews at Tel.: (202) 833- 5740, ext. 203, or via e-mail: stisch@internews.org

The Internews Web site is http://www.internews.org

sudan Newspaper suspended for 'inciting sedition'

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/media/16938

Reporters sans frontières (RSF) has called on the Sudanese government to allow the daily newspaper Alwan to resume publishing immediately. The paper was suspended on 2 September 2003 after state security officials accused it of "inciting sedition." "This is the third time this year the newspaper has been censored," said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard in a letter to Justice Minister Ali Mohammed Osman Yassin calling for the ban to be lifted.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_________________________________________________________________

ALERT - SUDAN

5 September 2003

Newspaper suspended for "inciting sedition"

SOURCE: Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris

(RSF/IFEX) - RSF has called on the Sudanese government to allow the daily
newspaper "Alwan to resume publishing immediately. The paper was suspended
on 2 September 2003 after state security officials accused it of "inciting
sedition."

"This is the third time this year the newspaper has been censored," said RSF
Secretary-General Robert Ménard in a letter to Justice Minister Ali Mohammed
Osman Yassin calling for the ban to be lifted.

The measure contradicts the 12 August presidential decree guaranteeing press
freedom, ending censorship by the National Security Agency and transferring
supervision of the press to the National Press Council. Before the decree
was issued, President Omar al-Bashir had promised that everyone would be
able to speak freely in the press and even on state-controlled television.

"The suspension of 'Alwan' seems to put an end to this attempt at press
liberalisation and also appears to indicate the existence of a conflict
between the president and the National Security Agency," Ménard said.

Mohammed Farid Hassan, the prosecutor who handles subversion cases, ordered
the newspaper's suspension under Articles 66 and 69 of the criminal code and
Article 25 of the press law, pending consideration of a complaint by the
National Security Agency that "Alwan" had published articles inciting people
to sedition and likely to disturb public order. Agency officials had
objected when President Bashir suggested they would no longer intervene in
press affairs.

For further information, contact Jean-François Julliard at RSF, rue Geoffroy
Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51,
e-mail: afrique@rsf.org, Internet: http://www.rsf.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of RSF.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit RSF.
_________________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
489 College Street, Toronto (ON) M6G 1A5 CANADA
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts email: alerts@ifex.org general e-mail: ifex@ifex.org
Internet site: http://www.ifex.org/

BURUNDI/DRC: Killing of civilians confirmed in Rusabagi, South Kivu Province

2003-09-11

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=36419

Burundian rebels of the Forces nationales de liberation (FNL) killed at least a dozen people in late August in Rusabagi, 85 km south of Bukavu in South Kivu Province of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), provincial Vice-Governor Jean-Pierre Mazangi told IRIN last Thursday. The Bukavu-based human rights NGO, Heritiers de la Justice, had earlier reported the raid.

burundi: peace talks set for a revival

2003-09-11

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=136&art_id=qw1063149121618B225&set_id=1

The head of Burundi's power-sharing government and the leader of its largest Hutu rebel group were in Kampala on Tuesday for talks aimed at reviving a moribund truce, days ahead of a regional summit on ending a decade-old civil war in the central African country.

chad: rebel airport claim denied

2003-09-11

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3097266.stm

The government of Chad has denied claims by the main rebel group to have captured the airport at the northern town of Bardai. The rebel Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJT) said earlier its forces had taken the airport, surrounded the town and killed at least 35 government troops.

drc: PEACE TOMORROW?

2003-09-11

http://www.pole-institute.org/documents/regards08bis.pdf

This paper offers analysis and political reflection that tries to look behind the issues in the Congo and identify the roots of the problems. Some of the issues addressed is the present situation in North Kivu against the background of the history of the region and the political, social, economic and cultural situation of the South. It is claimed that in this region people speak too often in empty slogans without touching the concrete reality that the population is experiencing, and especially without talking about the failures of civil society.

ERITREA/ETHIOPIA: Peace process at "critical" stage says UN

2003-09-11

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=36517

The Ethiopia-Eritrea peace process is at a “critical” juncture with demarcation of the contested 1,000-kilometre border between the two countries just weeks away, the United Nations stated on Thursday.

ivory coast: Postwar Commission created

2003-09-11

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=515&ncid=723&e=1&u=/ap/20030911/ap_on_re_af/ivory_coast

Ivory Coast created a commission made up of members of the army and rebel movements Wednesday to chart the course of disarmament and reunification of the West African nation after a 9-month civil war. The commission must present a timetable for its ambitious task within 48 hours, Prime Minister Seydou Diarra said in the commercial capital, Abidjan.

liberia: Peacekeepers Secure Liberian Town, Warn All Fighters to Leave

2003-09-11

http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=20061

West African peacekeepers from Guinea Bissau Wednesday said they were now in full control of the Liberian city of Kakata after days of sporadic battles between government forces and the main rebel group, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Development (LURD). “We had to get the rebels out of Kakata in order to ensure security for the civilians who have been caught in days of crossfire,” a spokesperson for the peacekeepers said Wednesday.

nigeria: 100 000 homeless as floods ravage Nigeria

2003-09-11

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=86&art_id=qw1063024022186B252&set_id=1

At least 100 000 people have been displaced and farmland, houses and property destroyed by flooding in northern Nigeria. The area governor's spokesperson, Murtala Surajo, said on Monday: "It is too early to estimate the extent of damage but it won't be out of place to say at least 100 000 people are now homeless."

SOMALIA: Leaders discuss peace process

2003-09-11

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=36492

The president of Somalia's Transitional National Government (TNG), Abdiqassim Salad Hassan, and four prominent faction leaders met on Tuesday in Mogadishu to discuss the Somali peace talks currently underway in Kenya, one of the leaders told IRIN on Wednesday.

south africa: arms deal bypasses needs of sa people

2003-09-11

http://www.caat.org.uk/information/publications/countries/southafrica-0603.php#1

There are grounds for deep concern about the controversial multi-billion rand South African arms deal transaction and especially about the part of the United Kingdom in it, says this report from the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT). The report says South Africa urgently needs to spend money on the development of civil industry, water supplies, education, housing and health - and above all on the mitigation of the catastrophe that is AIDS. On the other hand, it faces no military threat, and peace-keeping in Africa needs troops and light equipment, not warships, fighter planes and tanks. "The deal supports the mutual interests of the European and South African politico-military-industrial complexes. The real needs of the South African people do not figure."

sudan: Crucial Talks to End Africa's Longest War

2003-09-11

http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/interna.asp?idnews=20004

International pressure is mounting on the government of Sudan and the main rebel movement, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), to make peace or risk sanctions. Yielding to the pressure, SPLA leader John Garang and Sudan's first vice-president Ali Osman Mohamed Taha began consultations Thursday evening in Naivasha, a town 85 kilometres northwest of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, to salvage the talks which have already collapsed seven times since last year.

Uganda: A War Ignored

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/conflict/16927

According to the BBC, in a news report last week, Uganda is seeking military assistance from the U.S. in the war in northern Uganda against Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. The war has reportedly resulted in more than 800,000 displaced people over almost 18 years, while more than 20,000 children have been forcibly recruited into the LRA. Human rights and peace groups in Uganda, however, also doubt the wisdom or the potential for success of the Ugandan government's military operations against the rebels, even should it gain additional international military assistance. This posting from the Africa Policy E-Journal contains a first-hand report from Gina Bramucci of AVSI, an Italian NGO that works in northern Uganda, and a press release summarizing the latest Human Rights Watch report on the conflict.
AFRICA ACTION
Africa Policy E-Journal
September 7, 2003 (030907)

Uganda: A War Ignored
(Reposted from sources cited below)

According to the BBC, in a news report last week, Uganda is seeking
military assistance from the U.S. in the war in northern Uganda
against Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. The LRA was classified
by the U.S. as a terror group after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
During his July 2003 of African countries, including less than a
day in Uganda, President Bush pledged $150 million to help African
countries fight terrorism.

Independent reports leave no doubt that the LRA, which has been
fighting since 1988, systematically uses terror tactics against
civilians in northern Uganda. The war,little reported although it
forms part of one of Africa's most intense conflict zones from the
Great Lakes region to the Sudan, has reportedly resulted in more
than 800,000 displaced people over almost 18 years, while more than
20,000 children have been forcibly recruited into the LRA, as many
as 8,000 over the last year. Last week, the LRA killed 25 people in
an attack on a civilian bus.

Human rights and peace groups in Uganda, however, also doubt the
wisdom or the potential for success of the Ugandan government's
military operations against the rebels, even should it gain
additional international military assistance. Among other groups,
the Acholi Religious Leaders' Peace Initiative (ARLPI) has
called on the government of neighboring Sudan to stop providing
arms to the rebels, on the international community to take a more
active role in pressing for peace, and on the Ugandan government to
end human rights abuses by its own security personnel. The Acholi
people are both the source of forced recruits for the rebels and
the primary targets of rebel attacks,

This posting contains (1) a first-hand report from Gina Bramucci of
AVSI, an Italian NGO that works in northern Uganda, and (2) a press
release summarizing the latest Human Rights Watch report on the
conflict.

Additional sources for ongoing coverage include:

Reuters Alertnet section on Uganda violence
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/emergency/UG_VIO.htm

Human Rights Watch, Uganda page
http://www.hrw.org/africa/uganda.php

AllAfrica.com, Uganda page
http://allafrica.com/uganda

UN Integated Regional Information Network (IRIN) - Uganda page
http://www.irinnews.org/frontpage.asp?SelectCountry=Uganda

+++++++++++++++++end summary/introduction+++++++++++++++++++++++

Dying at our roots: Seasons of war in northern Uganda

By Gina L. Bramucci, AVSI (Association of Volunteers in
International Service, Italy)

[reposted with permission]

http://www.alertnet.org

August 7, 2003

It's been 14 months now. Fourteen months of daily rebel attack,
villages burned, buses ambushed, children abducted. The numbers
continue to climb 800,000 displaced, 20,000 "night commuters,"
8,500 abducted and we declare one more humanitarian crisis for the
global tally.

But the world tired of the story of northern Uganda long ago. The
past months may have been more violent than usual, but armed rebel
conflict has continued for nearly 18 years here. Peace is an alien
word, and it's easy to abandon hope from continents and oceans
away. Still, on a mid-July day in Kitgum town, one of northern
Uganda's main urban centers, civilians offered the world one small
reason to take note.

Approximately 20,000 young people marched through the town on July
14, carrying messages directed at Uganda's political and religious
leaders, and protesting a rebel insurgency that has put countless
children on intimate terms with violence, hunger and death. They
held signs that asked for a lasting peace and an end to fear: "We
don't want to become killers." "We do not want to die." "We
children cry day and night for peace."

Most children in northern Uganda have little knowledge of peace.
They have spent their childhoods displaced from their homes and
schools, sleeping in bus parks, on shop verandas or on the grounds
of hospitals and Catholic missions. Parents, hoping to protect
children from rebel abduction, send them each evening to population
centers or any place of perceived safety.

The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has abducted more than 20,000
children since the late 1980s. Captives are forced to serve as
porters, soldiers and, in the case of girls, sex slaves. Within the
LRA ranks, around 90 percent of "soldiers" are estimated to be
abducted children. They are often forced to murder family members
and neighbors, and then placed on the frontlines against the
government army. Human Rights Watch reports that the LRA has
abducted 8,500 children since June 2002 alone.

Violence in Uganda's Acholiland, a region named for the ethnic
group that dominates three northern districts, escalated when the
government army launched an aggressive offensive against the LRA in
March 2002. While the military continues to promise a near victory,
rebel activity has increased steadily, spilling over into districts
to the southeast that were previously untouched by the war.

The history of the conflict is long and complex. A series of rebel
movements took hold in the late 1980s, after President Yoweri
Museveni fought a guerrilla war to overthrow the short-lived
presidency of Tito Okello, an Acholi.

Defeated and disenfranchised, armed Acholi soldiers retreated back
to the north. Acholiland became the breeding ground for several
resistance movements, the most prominent of which was the Holy
Spirit Movement of Alice Lakwena. Claiming to take orders from a
holy spirit, Lakwena won the loyalty of former soldiers as well as
highly educated Acholi. Their cause was defined as a war against
evil, which they identified in the government army.

The Holy Spirit forces marched toward Uganda's capital city, coming
within 80 kilometers and incurring heavy losses before finally
facing defeat. During this period, a breakaway faction headed by
Lakwena's young cousin, Joseph Kony, was building momentum. His LRA
rebels continue to fight today.

For years the Ugandan government and international observers alike
have trivialized the LRA's long-running insurgency. Viewed as an
incomprehensible and crazed band of rebels that poses no real
threat to the government, the LRA becomes easy to dismiss.

Despite this, as recently as 2000 the LRA's political arm submitted
a paper at a peace conference organized by Acholi leaders in
Nairobi. The rebel movement's statement explained its original and
primary objective as the defense and protection of civilians
against the aggression of the Ugandan government army.

"Members of the LRA are ordinary peaceful law-abiding peasants," it
read. "LRA [is] fighting to defend their lives, human rights and
dignity[,] protect their people and land and assist others to
liberate themselves."

Because it runs so contrary to LRA actions, most long-time
observers in the region are at a loss when asked to react to such
statements. Far from sowing peace, the LRA moves through the
countryside looting and burning villages, killing and maiming
civilians, planting landmines and abducting children.

Nonetheless, President Museveni, who billed "Operation Iron Fist"
as a war on terrorism, has proclaimed his troops largely
successful. He has requested increases in military spending and
promised that if the army had new helicopters it would be able to
finish the job.

The president's assessment is met with a mix of derision and
sadness in Acholiland, where civil and religious leaders consider
the LRA essentially "victorious." The few aid agencies and Catholic
missionaries who have maintained a presence in the region point to
the government's failure to protect civilians or to respond to
humanitarian needs. Hospital admissions are at double capacity, the
majority of schools have been closed or burned, and severe food
shortages are looming.

On the political front, relations between Uganda and Sudan grew
tense with renewed accusations that Sudan is supporting the LRA.
Youth who escape captivity report large supplies of arms coming
from elements within Sudan; and questions continue to circulate
about whether Museveni is aiding Sudanese rebels. International
mediators made significant progress in pushing for Sudanese peace
talks in early 2003, but the inextricable link to northern Uganda
is often considered a minor issue.

In the past, Acholi religious leaders actively met with LRA
commanders in an effort to build trust and convince rebels to leave
the bush. Such attempts at dialogue have been rendered impossible
by the violence of the past 13 months. Members of the Acholi
Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI), while adamant that a
lasting peace will depend entirely on a commitment to
confidence-building and reconciliation, now admit their
desperation.

"We are dying at the roots," says former Protestant bishop Macleord
Ochola. "Unless the world sees, we have no future."

Pointing to U.N. intervention in other African conflicts, Acholi
leaders now call for outside intervention, international pressure
for protection of civilians, and consideration of the crisis at the
United Nations.

Aid agencies have been vocal as well, calling attention to the
Ugandan army's duty to protect civilians. Until some semblance of
security is established in Acholiland, agencies seeking to deliver
aid remain largely unable to access remote areas. This, combined
with a second consecutive planting season lost due to insecurity,
caused the U.N. World Food Program to declare 1.6 million people in
need of "life-saving" food aid.

The European Union and the U.S. government have taken some notice
of the upsurge of conflict and the desperate humanitarian
situation. In early July, members of the European parliament
offered a resolution demanding greater protection of civilians and
a return to dialogue.

The United States is more reticent to openly criticize Museveni,
but the U.S. Agency for International Development has been active
on the humanitarian front and has launched a peace initiative that
could give ballast to other peace efforts in the region.

Kitgum's July peace demonstration succeeded in capturing fleeting
attention at a national level, but the lasting peace requested
remains elusive. When night fell the children returned to sleep in
hospitals and bus parks, competing for places sheltered from the
threat of rain. They pulled thin blankets around their shoulders,
and they wondered if the guns would rock them to sleep.

************************************************************

Human Rights Watch

Uganda: Sharp Decline in Human Rights

http://www.hrw.org/press/2003/07/uganda071503.htm

(Kampala, July 15, 2003) Abductions, torture, recruitment of child
soldiers, and other abuses have sharply increased in the past year
in northern Uganda due to renewed fighting between Ugandan
government forces and rebels, a coalition of national and
international organizations said in a report released today.

"The United Nations and members of the international community need
to take a more active role to end this desperate state of affairs
in northern Uganda. The government and LRA peace talks have ended
and the war is continuing at a heightened pace, with worse impact
than ever on the entire population of Acholiland."

Jemera Rone, counsel for the Africa division of Human Rights Watch
The 73-page report, "Abducted and Abused: Renewed War in Northern
Uganda," details how a slew of human rights abuses have resulted in
a humanitarian crisis. Since June 2002, the rebel Lord's Resistance
Army (LRA) has abducted nearly 8,400 children and thousands more
adults, a sharp rise from 2001. The LRA has also escalated the
seventeen-year war against northern Uganda's civilians by targeting
religious leaders, aid providers, and those living in internally
displaced persons (IDP) camps.

"Child abduction, murder, and mutilation are the signatures of the
LRA in this war," said Lloyd Axworthy, former Canadian minister for
external affairs. "This is a war that has been fought primarily
against the children and people of northern Uganda." Axworthy is
CEO and executive director of the Liu Institute for Global Issues
in Vancouver, which issued the report together with the Peace and
Human Rights Center in Kampala, Human Rights Focus in Gulu, and
Human Rights Watch in New York, of which Axworthy is a board
member.

The seventeen-year conflict between the LRA and the Ugandan
government intensified in March 2002, when the government army, the
Ugandan People's Defence Forces (UPDF), launched a military
offensive, "Operation Iron Fist," against LRA bases in southern
Sudan. The offensive failed to accomplish its aim of destroying the
LRA, which evaded the UPDF and in June 2002 returned to northern
Uganda. The renewed conflict is taking its highest toll ever:

* Since June 2002, the LRA abducted 8,400 children, the highest
rate of abductions ever in seventeen years of war.

* Fear of LRA abduction has driven approximately 20,000 children to
escape nightly into Gulu and other towns. These children sleep on
verandas, on church grounds and at local hospitals, returning home
each morning, becoming locally known as "night commuters."

* An estimated 800,000 northern Ugandans are internally displaced
due to LRA attacks and government orders-approximately 70 percent
of the entire population of the three war-affected districts in
northern Uganda.

* Respective Mortality Rate (for three months in 2003) for children
under five in two IDP camps near Gulu was 5.67/1,000, where 4/1,000
is considered an emergency. This rate was the highest recorded in
five years, yet it was not caused by any outbreak of disease,
leading the agency conducting the survey to raise the possibility
that the children had simply "died of hunger."

* Although overall HIV prevalence in Uganda has reportedly declined
substantially in recent years, there is lingering high prevalence
in the north: Gulu reportedly has the second highest rate of HIV
prevalence after Kampala, attributed among other things to the
higher rate of HIV among combatants. Among expectant mothers tested
at one of two hospitals in Gulu, the rates of HIV prevalence were
11-12 percent, where 5 percent is the national rate.

The report draws on interviews with recently abducted children who
escaped from the LRA. It gives voice to internally displaced
persons living in the IDP camps that have been attacked by the LRA,
and the aid workers attempting to reach these victims despite
frequent LRA ambushes on relief convoys.

While the Ugandan government is obligated to intervene to stop
these violations, its own forces have committed gross abuses,
including torture, rape, underage recruitment, and arbitrary
detention. The government has also increased the suffering of
northern Uganda's population through the forced displacement of
civilians into IDP camps, which have little or no protection. But
UPDF soldiers and other government forces accused by civilians of
serious crimes such as murder, torture, or rape often escape trial
or sanction, creating the public perception of impunity.

"Not only has the Ugandan government failed to protect its citizens
adequately," said Samuel B. Tindifa, director of the Human Rights
and Peace Centre. "They have also actively violated their rights,
detained them for long periods without showing cause, and recruited
children into the army and home guards."

The UPDF in northern Uganda arrests civilians on suspicion of rebel
collaboration with little or no evidence, often holding them for
rough interrogation or torture before turning them over to the
police for prosecution. The prosecutors then charge the suspects
with treason or terrorism, which allows the government to hold them
for up to 360 days without bail and without having to present any
evidence.

"The United Nations and members of the international community need
to take a more active role to end this desperate state of affairs
in northern Uganda," said Jemera Rone, counsel for the Africa
division of Human Rights Watch. "The government and LRA peace talks
have ended and the war is continuing at a heightened pace, with
worse impact than ever on the entire population of Acholiland."

The organizations urged the U.N. Secretary-General to appoint a
special representative for northern Uganda to secure the release of
abducted children by conducting "shuttle diplomacy" between the LRA
and the Ugandan government. They also called upon the Sudanese
government to end its support of the LRA and upon donor countries
to monitor military assistance to Uganda to ensure that the
government observes human rights standards.

The four organizations called on the LRA to end its attacks on
civilians, to stop abducting children and adults, and to release
the abductees. The organizations also urged the government of
Uganda to:

* End impunity for human rights violations by government security
and armed forces;

* Review all cases of treason and terrorism suspects to ensure that
sufficient evidence exists to justify detention;

* Cease using treason or terrorism charges as a holding charge for
those arbitrarily detained in areas in which rebels are active;

* Take effective measures to protect civilians; and

* Permit those living in internally displaced persons camps to move
wherever they wish, except for extreme circumstances of insecurity.

Related Material [see ]http://www.hrw.org/africa/uganda.php]

Abducted and Abused: Renewed War in Northern Uganda HRW Report,
July 2003

Stolen Children: Abduction and Recruitment in Northern Uganda HRW
Report, March 2003

+++++++++++++++++++++Document Profile+++++++++++++++++++++

Date distributed (ymd): 030907
Region: East Africa
Issue Areas: +political/rights+ +security/peace+

************************************************************
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ACTIVISTS GO HIGH TECH

2003-09-11

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,60180,00.html

For many across the globe, the word "activist" creates images of individuals hanging out in the top of a 200 year old tree or perhaps picketers with hand written poster boards. While true in some cases, activists of all shapes and sizes are increasingly making use of high tech tools to intensify their message. Wired news acknowledged this widespread trend in a recent article highlighting the technology activists will be using at the World Trade Organisation's meeting this month in Cancun. (Sourced from PoliticsOnline, http://www.PoliticsOnline.com)

ANTISPAM BILLS: WORSE THAN SPAM?

2003-09-11

http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,59840,00.html

Some online advocates are concerned that anti-spam measures will end the free flow of information - the first principle of the Internet. Marv Johnson, legislative council for the American Civil Liberties Union, worries that the ability to speak anonymously on the Internet is put at risk by legislation that makes it illegal to mask a sender's identity or forge routing information. This would criminalize the actions of people who have a legitimate reason to hide their identities, for instance dissidents under oppressive regimes, closeted gay teens, or government whistle-blowers.

ICT Stories Competition - Tony Zeitoun Awards closes on September 26

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/internet/16959

Share your ICT Story with the world! The 2003 competition is open for submitting your stories through September 26, 2003. By entering the competition, you give visibility to your specific project and experiences.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only 3 more weeks to go:
ICT Stories Competition - Tony Zeitoun Awards closes on September 26!

Share your ICT Story with the world! The 2003 competition is open for submitting your stories through September 26, 2003. By entering the competition, you give visibility to your specific project and experiences.

The winners from this year's competition will be invited to come to Geneva (Switzerland) in December, where they can present their story to the audience of the ICT4D platform during the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

Don't wait - submit your story today!

Please visit our website for more information and the online submit form.


More information: http://www.iicd.org/stories
Email: stories@iicd.org mailto:stories@iicd.org

translating african languages on the web

2003-09-11

http://www.bisharat.net/Trans/

Currently, most computer translators are for major European and Asian languages. But what could be possible if there were translators for the languages of Africa?
* Better communication within the continent?
* Easier sharing of information among diverse communities?
* Expedited translation of materials for education and development?
The page available through this link seeks to highlight these possibilities, but more importantly to promote discussion of ongoing projects to develop translators for diverse African languages.

Updated TIME TO GET ONLINE materials now available

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/internet/16989

Kabissa has made available an updated version of its highly successful TIME TO GET ONLINE self-learning materials for African civil society organisations. Kabissa developed the materials to help civil society activists and organizers to get online, learn the essential "steps to success on the Internet" and to integrate the Internet into their organisations. The materials follow Kabissa's proven methodology for going through the four steps of connecting to and taking advantage of the benefits of the Internet: connecting, accessing, interacting and advocating.
Updated TIME TO GET ONLINE materials now available!

Kabissa is pleased to make available an updated version of its highly
successful TIME TO GET ONLINE self-learning materials for African civil society
organizations.

Kabissa developed the materials to help civil society activists and organizers
to get online, learn the essential "steps to success on the Internet" and to
integrate the Internet into their organizations.


WHAT DO THE MATERIALS COVER?
The materials follow Kabissa's proven methodology for going through the four
steps of connecting to and taking advantage of the benefits of the Internet:
connecting, accessing, interacting and advocating.

The Table of Contents reads as follows:

Introduction: Why Get Online?
Chapter 1: Connecting to the Internet
Chapter 2: Accessing Information Resources
Chapter 3: Interacting Online
Chapter 4: Establishing and Maintaining a Web Site
Chapter 5: Next Steps - Integrating the Internet into Your Organization

Appendix 1: Glossary of Internet Terms
Appendix 2: Directory of Resources

The updated version contains new information on protecting your organizations
from spam and scams, more robust instructions on establishing and maintaining a
Web site, and new online resources for African civil society.


HOW CAN I GET THEM FOR MY ORGANIZATION?
There are two different ways you can access the materials:

1) Download the materials now from http://www.ttgo.kabissa.org/get-ttgo.php or
by writing to ttgo@kabissa.org African civil society organizations can download
the materials at no cost.
2) Order a print and CD-ROM version from http://www.ttgo.kabissa.org/get-
ttgo.php or by writing to ttgo@kabissa.org

You can also order a printed version of the materials that is accompanied by a
CD-ROM containing additional learning resources, Web sites and software
referenced in the materials.


DOES IT COST ANYTHING?
Yes and no. The electronic version is a free download. We do charge for the
print version, but just to cover the cost of publication and shipping.


ABOUT KABISSA
Founded in 1999, Kabissa is a nonprofit organization that seeks to use
information and communications technologies to strengthen civil society
organizations working to improve the lives of people in Africa. Our programs
focus on providing Internet services, building the capacity of organizations to
use technology, and promoting interaction within the African civil society
sector. Today, more than 700 organizations from 32 countries take advantage of
Kabissa's services.

1325 PeaceWomen E-News

2003-09-11

http://www.peacewomen.org/news/1325News/1325ENewsindex.html

The 1325 PeaceWomen E-News was initiated in May 2002, as a direct means of maintaining the momentum and visibility of Resolution 1325, advocating for the further implementation of the Resolution, and keeping people informed of the scale and range of activity around 1325. By prioritizing the efforts of women peace activists, by providing them with timely information to help build their capacities as peace women, by providing informed and current analyses of 1325, 1325 PeaceWomen E-News can help fuel the support and advocacy efforts for further implementation of Resolution 1325. To subscribe to the 1325 PeaceWomen E-Newsletter, please send an email with the subject "Subscribe" to 1325news@peacewomen.org

Adili - a newsletter from transparency international kenya

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/enewsl/16992

Adili means integrity in Kiswahili and is a fortnightly news service containing news and views on corruption in Kenya. All interviews in Adili are exclusives to TI-Kenya. Subscribe online at http://www.tikenya.org/newsletter.asp or by sending an email to newsservice@tikenya.org

AF-AIDS - on-site reports and updates from ICASA

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/enewsl/17060

The HDN Key Correspondent (KC) Team is providing on-site reports from the 13th International Conference on AIDS and STDs in Africa (ICASA), taking place in Nairobi, Kenya between 21-26 September 2003. Join AF-AIDS to receive all on-site reports and updates as the ICASA conference takes place. To join AF-AIDS, send an email to: join-af-aids@healthdev.net To view the official ICASA web site, go to: http://www.icasanairobi2003.org/ AF-AIDS is the regional forum on HIV/AIDS in Africa, coordinated by Health & Development Networks (www.hdnet.org).

e-CIVICUS 208

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/enewsl/16951

In celebration of the International Year of Freshwater, CIVICUS focuses on issues relating to water and people: Freshwater issues around the globe; The growing thirst for water; Indian communities forced to drink Coke; Call for nominations to the CIVICUS Board; Classifieds; and CIVICUS World Assembly. To subscribe email edwin@civicus.org

NEWSLETTER OF THE NETWORK FOR EQUITY IN HEALTH IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

2003-09-11

http://www.equinetafrica.org/newsletter/subscribe.php

The Equinet Newsletter is the newsletter of the Network for Equity in Health in Southern Africa. The Newsletter is delivered by e-mail twice a month and includes the following sections: Editorial, Equity and health general, Resource allocation, Public-private subsidies, Household poverty, WTO, economic and social policy, Human resources, Human rights and health, Research and Policy, Popular participation / governance and health, SADC News, Useful Resources, Letters and Comments, and Jobs and Announcements. Subscription is free.

Siyanda September Update: Gender and ICTs and the WSIS Process

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/enewsl/17034

The Siyanda Update is a monthly newsletter featuring the latest gender mainstreaming resources available on the website http://www.siyanda.org/ Siyanda aims to assist busy gender practitioners with locating essential gender mainstreaming resources, quickly and easily. It is also an interactive space where gender practitioners can share ideas, experiences and resources with like-minded colleagues. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the "Siyanda Update", please go to: http://www.siyanda.org/subscribe.htm
**PLEASE DISSEMINATE WIDELY**

Siyanda September Update: Gender and ICTs and the WSIS Process
http://www.siyanda.org/
Issue No. 14, September 2003
Past issues of the update are available at:
http://www.siyanda.org/archive.htm
=======
INDEX:
=======
I. Database Highlights: Gender and ICTs and the WSIS Process
II. Websites of Interest: WSIS NGO GWSG, WSIS Gender Caucus, Center for
Women and Information Technology and Feminist International Radio
Endeavour
III. Announcements: ICT Stories Competition 2003, Gender and ICT Awards
and Women's Electronic Network Training (WENT) 2003 (Asia-Pacific
region)


I. Database Highlights:
================
- Overcoming the Gender Digital Divide: Understanding ICTs and their
Potential for the Empowerment of Women, Huyer, S. and Sikoska, T., 2003
A report synthesizing the major research findings contained in five
background papers commissioned by INSTRAW.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/huyer_sikoska_icts.htm

- Putting Gender on the Agenda of the World Summit on the Information
Society (WSIS), Walker, A., 2003
A Power Point presentation providing an overview of the WSIS and how
gender issues will be integrated into the Summit process.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/walker_icts.htm

- Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and their Impact on
and use as an Instrument for the Advancement and Empowerment of Women,
Marcelle, G., 2002
This report highlights successful case studies from many countries on
the use of ICTs as a tool for women's empowerment.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/marcelle_icts.htm

- Gender, ICTs and Agriculture: A Situation Analysis for the 5th
Consultative Expert Meeting of CTA's ICT Observatory meeting on Gender
and Agriculture in the Information Society, Hafkin, N. and Odame, H.,
2002
This paper analyses the situation of gender, ICTs and agriculture in
Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific nations.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/hafkin_odame_ict.htm

- The Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a Tool
to Bridge the Gender Digital Gap: A Case on the Use of a
Locally-Developed CD-ROM by Rural Women in Uganda
The report assesses an innovative project that involved developing a
CD-ROM for rural women by the International Women's Tribune Centre
(IWTC).
http://www.siyanda.org/static/mijumbi_icts.htm

- Gender Issues in ICT Policy in Developing Countries: An Overview,
Hafkin, N., 2002
This paper provides a comprehensive table of specific measures that can
be incorporated into ICT policy in developing countries to facilitate
gender equality.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/hafkin_icts.htm

- Gender Evaluation Methodology (GEM ), The Association for Progressive
Communications Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP), 2002
GEM is a toolkit for incorporating a gender analysis into evaluations of
ICT projects.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/apc_icts.htm

- I on the Mouse, ICTs for Women's Advocacies and Networking in Asia and
the Pacific, Scott, T., Singh, D. and Wanasundera, L., 2001
This study assesses how and for what purpose ICTs are used by women's
groups in the region.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/scott_icts.htm

- Gender Perspectives on Telecenters, Jorge, S., 2000
Paper suggesting strategies to facilitate use of community Telecenters
by women and girls.
http://www.siyanda.org/static/jorge_icts.htm

Summaries written by Ra'ida Al-Zu'bi. More Siyanda resources on Gender
and ICTs can be found at:
http://www.siyanda.org/search/qlinx-countryfocus.cfm?code=icts

**We welcome cross-posting of resources and summaries from this update,
provided that you kindly credit Siyanda**


II. Websites of Interest:
==================
- APC's WSIS NGO Gender Strategies Working Group (GSWG)
The GSWG was formed at the first WSIS PrepCom Meeting in Geneva in July
2002 by a group of women's information and communication NGOs. The
website contains a section exploring linkages between the Beijing PFA
and the WSIS process; comments on the WSIS Action plan; WSIS-related
lobbying and advocacy materials; and reports from regional caucuses and
thematic working groups on priorities for civil society. To join the
GSWG WSIS discussion list, write to: karenb@apcwomen.org
http://www.genderit.org/

- WSIS Gender Caucus
The multi-stakeholder Caucus was formed during the African regional
preparatory conference (Bamako 2002). The website contains links to the
Gender Caucus guide to creating a national gender programme in
preparation for WSIS; key Gender Caucus recommendations and statements;
and links to the latest WSIS events including the Caucus's Orientation
Session on "Skills for Effective Lobbying and Advocacy with a Focus on
Change and Gender Equality" scheduled to take place during PrepCom III.
To join the WSIS Gender Caucus discussion list, write to:
secretariat@genderwsis.org
http://www.genderwsis.org/

- The Centre for Women and Information Technology
A comprehensive on-line resource on women and technology based at the
University of Maryland, US. The website contains extensive links to
girl-related resources; books about women and information technology;
curricular resources on gender and technology; and a list of frequently
asked questions on the topic.
http://www.umbc.edu/cwit/

- Feminist International Radio Endeavour:
The first women's Internet radio project. The website contains numerous
radio materials on rape, disabled women's issues, conflict situations
and globalization, among others.
http://www.fire.or.cr/indexeng.htm


III. Announcements:
===================
ICT Stories Competition 2003 - Tony Zeitoun Award
-------------------------------------------------
Global Knowledge Partnership (GDP) , Information for Development Program
of the World Bank (InfoDev) and International Institute for
Communication and Development (IICD)
http://www.iicd.org/stories/

This competition provides an opportunity for those working on projects
that use ICTs as a tool for advancing development to share their
experiences with the world. The award is based on a set of criteria
through which three winning stories will be selected by a renowned jury.
The writers of these stories will be given the opportunity to travel to
Switzerland to present their findings at the ICT4D platform at the WSIS
in December 2003. The deadline for submissions is September 26, 2003.
For more information, email: stories@iicd.org

Gender and ICT Awards
----------------------
Association for Progressive Communications Women's Networking Support
Programme (APC WNSP) and Global Knowledge Partnership (GKP
http://www.genderawards.net/

The awards aim to honour and bring international recognition to the
innovative and effective projects by women to use ICTs for the promotion
of gender equality and/or women's empowerment. Winners in four
categories will receive US$8,000 each and will be recognized at a
special event parallel to the World Summit on the Information Society in
Geneva from December 10-12, 2003. The categories are: for Outstanding
Multi-stakeholder Initiatives (1. Global/regional and 2.
National/local), and for Outstanding Individual or Community-Based
Initiative (3. Advocacy/Networking and 4. Capacity building). The
deadline for accepting applications is September 10, 2003. For more
information, email: awards-apply@apcwomen.org

Women's Electronic Network Training (WENT) 2003-Asia-Pacific region
-------------------------------------------------
Jointly managed by the Association for Progressive
Communications-Women's Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) and the
Asian-Pacific Women's Information Network Centre (APWINC) and supported
by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (UNESCAP)
http://www.i-went.net/

ICT Training by Women, for Women
The WENT workshop invites women advocates, entrepreneurs, and trainers
in the Asia-Pacific region who are interested in learning more about
developing online content, e-commerce, or ICT training with a gender
perspective to send in their applications to participate in this year's
workshop.

Although the deadline is for today September 3rd, WENT organizers will
still accept applications. However, those that arrive after GMT+0800
will be considered as late applications. They may be short listed for
selection only after the organizers have perused applications that met
the deadline.

You can download the application form from the website.


** The "Siyanda Update" is a monthly newsletter featuring the latest
gender mainstreaming resources available on our website
http://www.siyanda.org/ Siyanda aims to assist busy gender
practitioners with locating essential gender mainstreaming resources,
quickly and easily. It is also an interactive space where gender
practitioners can share ideas, experiences and resources with
like-minded colleagues. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the "Siyanda
Update", please go to: http://www.siyanda.org/subscribe.htm **

South Africa: Red Cross Appeal Has R12m Mark in Sight

2003-09-11

http://allafrica.com/stories/200309090350.html

The Red Cross Children's Hospital Trauma Unit Appeal total is nudging towards the R12 million mark, but time is slowly running out and another R4m must be raised by the end of December.

SOUTH AFRICA: WELFARE ORGANISATIONS RECEIVE support

2003-09-11

http://www.gcis.gov.za/buanews/view.php?ID=03090511461002&coll=buanew03

Some welfare organisations in the Northern Cape have received an injection of funds and vehicles from the provincial government. The Truly Blessed Day Care Centre, the only facility for children with multiple disabilities in the Frances Baard Region and Gopalanang Service Centre for the elderly in Warrenton each received a 23-seater minibus.

SOUTH AFRICA: youth fund boosts job creation

2003-09-11

http://www.gcis.gov.za/buanews/view.php?ID=03090413461006&coll=buanew03

Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF), established in January 2001, with a mandate to create a platform for job creation, skills development and transfer for the South African youth, has committed approximately R470-million to 61 projects over the past 24 months.

FIRST REGIONAL AFRICAN Augmentative & Alternative Communication conference: ISSUES IN DISABILITY

23-26 February 2004, Johannesburg, South Africa

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/courses/17006

This conference, focusing on children with severe disabilities in Africa, aims to highlight the progress made and the challenges faced in the areas of early childhood intervention, inclusion, human rights and the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) with children who have severe disabilities. It will provide an unprecedented opportunity for individuals with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, advocacy groups, professionals, policy makers and academics to be involved as planners, presenters and delegates.
FIRST REGIONAL AFRICAN AAC

(Augmentative & Alternative Communication)

CONFERENCE 2004

ISSUES IN DISABILITY: UNHEARD CALLS

www.up.ac.za/academic/caac



23-26 February 2004

Birchwood Executive Hotel, Johannesburg International Airport


FULL DETAILS AND US$ REGISTRATION FORM: robbie@rca.co.za





This conference, focusing on the children with severe disabilities in Africa, aims to highlight the progress made and the challenges faced in the areas of early childhood intervention, inclusion, human rights and the use of AAC with children who have severe disabilities. It will provide an unprecedented opportunity for individuals with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, advocacy groups, professionals, policy makers and academics to be involved as planners, presenters and delegates.



COUNTRIES REPRESENTED TO DATE INCLUDE: Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Kenya, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, The Netherlands, UK, USA, Zambia.



SOME KEY ISSUES: AAC in developing contexts; Unrealistic expectations & other fallacies: Dreaming our own expectations; The Culture of AAC: An evolving culture; Disabled children who stopped attending therapy - why did they stop and where are they now? Disabled children living in a peri-urban township: can they access health, welfare and educational services?; The role of the ECD practitioner in early identification and intervention; Communication intervention in rural contexts: Where do we start and what should we do?; Including a child with severe disabilities in the neighbourhood school; Communication Liberation; The power of communication; Children living with HIV/AIDs and aided language stimulation; Child, Parents, therapists, school - together we can; Why ISAAC is important to Africa; Passive participant? Not on your life!





UNHEARD VOICES

Nonprofits and NGOs Work the Web

Online conference, September 16-19, 2003

2003-09-11

http://www.icohere.com/wiredorg/

Wired.org is a four-day international virtual conference geared to nonprofit and non-governmental organisations, socially responsible companies and educational institutions. You’re invited to join together with practitioners, thought leaders and representatives from leading organisations, in an online learning community to share ideas about using the web: For four days, September 16-19, leading professionals will come together for online presentations from experts in the field – all focused on how nonprofit and non-governmental organisations can work the web to achieve their missions and objectives.

africa: Technical Advisor

Landmine Action

2003-09-11

http://www.reliefweb.int/w/res.nsf/wDocs/FB3C1C87B55FFD54C1256D910059ACCC

We are keen to recruit a number of Technical Advisors for mine clearance operations in Africa. Applicants must have: A comprehensive understanding and experience of mine clearance and survey procedures; Practical experience of training and preferably some formal training qualifications; A track record of hands-on practical work, self-sufficiency and an ability to adapt to difficult or adverse circumstances.

southern africa: PROGRAM MANAGER

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

2003-09-11

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/jobs/16982

LWR is now recruiting for a Program Manager for HIV/AIDS Projects - based in South Africa - to support churches and related ecumenical or faith-based organisations in Southern Africa to develop programs to address the AIDS crisis in impoverished communities - based on need rather than on race, ethnicity, religion, or creed. This is a temporary position with a two-year contract with no possibility of renewal.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF (LWR) POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT:
PROGRAM MANAGER FOR HIV/AIDS PROJECTS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) is a US-based, non-profit that works in partnership with local organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to:
n Find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice.
n Reduce community vulnerability to disaster.
n Assist communities in recovering from disasters and emergencies in ways that sustain both lives and livelihoods.
LWR does not provide direct service to impoverished communities. Our approach is grounded in the belief that poor people can and must play the leading role in ending poverty and injustice. Hence, LWR works, whenever possible, with local organizations working in impoverished communities.
Stand With Africa, a campaign launched by LWR, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) World Hunger Program and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) World Relief, supports African churches and communities as they withstand HIV/AIDS, banish hunger, and build peace. As part of this campaign, LWR supports programs for both the infected and affected to address the causes and consequences of the AIDS pandemic.
LWR is now recruiting for a Program Manager for HIV/AIDS Projects ¾ based in South Africa ¾ to support churches and related ecumenical or faith-based organizations in Southern Africa to develop programs to address the AIDs crisis in impoverished communities ¾ based on need rather than on race, ethnicity, religion, or creed. This is a temporary position with a two-year contract with no possibility of renewal.
REPORTS TO: Regional Director for Africa
PURPOSE:
The Program Manager for HIV-AIDS Projects will have primary responsibility for assisting churches and related ecumenical or faith-based organizations to:
n Develop HIV-AIDS plans and projects.
n Prepare proposals to submit to LWR and to other grant-makers.
n Strengthen their institutional capacity to respond to HIV-AIDS.
S/he serves as the focal point for all communications between partners and LWR during all phases of project development and implementation. S/he is also responsible for networking for other organizations working on HIV-AIDS, for developing funding proposals to submit to major donors, and to keep LWR headquarters and LWR stakeholders informed about the results of projects.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Partner Accompaniment
1. Responsible for identifying, building, and managing relationships with Southern African churches and faith-based organizations, including support for institutional capacity strengthening.
2. Ensure timely submission of complete, high quality proposal packages. Accompany the partners and projects throughout the implementation period.
3. Monitor and support partners' projects and implementation of capacity strengthening activities, as appropriate.
4. Facilitate networking among partners and others, including local government, business, and civil society organizations.
Policy and Advocacy
1. Work with partners, like-minded civil society organizations, and other international NGOs to develop and implement HIV-AIDS related advocacy that builds upon the role of the church as a moral authority in the countries in Southern Africa.
2. Keep abreast of, and report on, important social, political, environmental, and economic trends in the region.
3. Work with the Public Policy Department to guide and strengthen LWR’s advocacy work as part of the Stand With Africa Campaign in the US by sharing timely information from partners and about developments in the region.
Fundraising and Constituent Education
4. Work with regional directors and humanitarian response managers to develop an annual grant-seeking strategy, to facilitate contracts between partners and funders based in the region, and to monitor funded projects.
5. Coordinate with the Mission Advancement Unit on organization-wide fundraising efforts and related documentation.
6. Work with the Communication Department to plan and conduct study tours and production of publications and videos.
CORE COMPETENCIES:
7. Deep commitment to LWR's core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.
8. Five or more years experience working in Southern Africa on HIV-AIDS from a community development, rather than purely medical, perspective. Experience working in more than one country is highly desirable.
9. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or the equivalent. A master’s degree is highly desirable.
10. Fluency in at least one of the languages spoken in Southern Africa. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are a must.
11. Demonstrated experience in working effectively with churches and ecumenical or faith-based organizations.
12. Demonstrated experience in designing, managing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating HIV-AIDS and community development projects.
13. Ability to travel up to 30 percent of his/her time in the region.
14. Proficiency in using in Word, Excel, Access, e-mail, and web browser software.
15. Excellent interpersonal skills.

SALARY AND TERMS:
The starting salary is negotiable. LWR will also offer a benefits package that includes medical, life, accident, and disability insurance. LWR will withhold all taxes on total annual compensation from each employee and will remit payment to the government of South Africa as required by law.
Anyone interested in applying should send a cover letter, salary history, resume, a list of references with their contact information, and two short writing samples in English to:
Ann Fries
Director, Human Resources
Lutheran World Relief
700 Light Street
Baltimore, MD, 21230
USA
Fax : (410) 230-2882
E-mail address: hr@lwr.org
No phone calls please

All interviewees will be required to take tests to demonstrate their qualifications.
For more information on Lutheran World Relief visit: http://www.lwr.org/

sudan: Child Labour Research Consultant

Save the Children UK

2003-09-11

http://www.reliefweb.int/w/res.nsf/wDocs/55DEF234A01F0523C1256D95003E5CBE

Save the Children's Sudan and south Sudan programmes are looking for an experienced consultant to join three national researchers to design and implement a study on the exploitation of child labour in South Darfur and any associated separation of children from their families.

zimbabwe: HIV/AIDS Publications Advisor

Catholic Institute for International Relations

2003-09-11

http://www.ciir.org/ciir.asp?section=jobs&page=story&id=796

We are looking to recruit a development worker to work with the Southern Africa HIV/AIDS Information and Dissemination Service (SAFAIDS) providing in-house training and mentoring to staff in writing, editing, materials production and communication skills. The postholder will also contribute to develop information strategies. You will have a minimum of 3 years' direct work experience in writing, editing, assessing information needs, repackaging, publishing and targeting materials for a diverse audience. Solid knowledge of gender and HIV/AIDS as development issues and experience in training or mentoring are essential.

Fahamu