At least two men died and several were seriously injured when about 70 people tried to storm a fence dividing Spain's enclave of Melilla from Morocco. It is thought that both fell from the top of a barrier six metres (yards) high, one landing on the Spanish side, the other on the Moroccan.

Dear friend, participant of the World Social Forum process:

The 7th World Social Forum - to be held from January 20 to 25, in Nairobi (Kenya) – faces now the challenge of being even more linked to concrete actions to build “another possible world”.

This concern has been constantly expressed on various meetings of the WSF International Council and evaluations made about WSF process. What we have been looking for is to accomplish one of WSF aims, stated on its Charter of Principles: The World Social Forum is an open meeting place for reflective thinking, democratic debate of ideas, formulation of proposals, free exchange of experiences and interlinking for effective action.

This is the why this preparatory consultation is being launched.

It gives continuity to the methodological options, which started to be adopted in 2004, during WSF 2005 preparation, in order to improve process and event
“architecture”. On that Forum, it resulted on the definition of 11 thematic terrains around which 2,000 activities were carried out– all of them were self-organized, corresponding to another advance compared to the events organized before.

But the 2004 consultation had a thematic character. In this one, we want to move a step forward.

Now what we request to you is to indicate the actions, campaigns and struggles in which your organization/network/entity is engaged.

The proposal is to organize the 7th Forum around those actions, campaigns and struggles, aggregating, on the different Forum spaces, the activities linked to them, as well as the activities that have no direct link with them – to be indicated during the moment of activities registration – but related to the same by their themes.

This will make more visible the concrete actions born on the Forum process or those who gave sequence or more density to others that had been developed before or outside WSF, as well as its effective political results. This will also stimulate the interconnection among organizations in which we are engaged on the struggles for constructing a fair, egalitarian, democratic, participative and sustainable society.

This proposal – and the execution of this preparatory consultation – was approved by the WSF International Council, based on a proposal made by its Methodology Commission, in its meeting held in March 2006, in Nairobi.

We tried to simplify the questions on the consultation form at maximum, in order to make easier to answer to it. As soon as you do it, better conditions we will have to prepare the WSF 2007 adequately. The deadline to send your answers is July 30th, 2006.

In order to fill in the consultation questionnaire, please access the website: Organizations who have registered on the Polycentric WSF 2006 website(www.wsf2006.org) are not required to fill in all the forms again. They can access the site using the same username and password from the polycentric 2006 site above
mentioned and then, click on the top menu “Consultation on actions, campaigns and struggles” > “Add new”. Up to now, the site is only in English. But soon it will be available also in French and Castellano/Spanish.

For further information on the event in Nairobi, please visit the site: www.worldsocialforum.org

Inviolata celebrates life, and yet another birthday, in Kenya, where over 600 people die from HIV/AIDS every day. This brave woman is confronting not only her own fears, but also the expectations of her community and Kenyan society about what it means to live with AIDS.

Life at 20 marked the turning point. For many, life would have taken a downward spiral. But not for Inviolata Mbwavi. After going through the usual motion of shock, fear and denial, she resolved not to let the virus complete the hatchet job.

Fourteen years later, her steady hands aided by a number of other hands drive the knife into the red, ribbon cake. With each cut, the room drowns in rounds of applause. Another purple cake sits nearby like an impatient child begging for candy.

“The purple cake represents the years I have survived courtesy of the Almighty, while the other shaped like the red-ribbon, the years I have defied the virus.” Inviolata says as she gets hugs from friends and family.

When they finally break into the “Happy Birthday” it takes a completely new meaning. It is a celebration of life made new; living positively with HIV.

“This was the month I was diagnosed with HIV, I had just turned 20”, she later tells me.

Inviolata had stepped out of teenage life with optimism. But when the doctor waved her Elisa test-results, life crumbled. From her teenage years she carried HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Then, pre-test counselling was limited and anti-retroviral treatment in the realm of illusion.

“Nowadays I don’t expect anyone who has tested positive to commit suicide, not to go to school, miss work or simply refuse to live. If we were to die we would have died then, but we’ve survived,” she says.

Life must have been a sip of hemlock, I thought.

“Invy, we love and value you…” a voice interrupts as if reading my thoughts. It came from one of her brothers, shouting from the furthest corner among a group of teenagers, munching a huge piece of roasted chicken.

Inviolata stands up, her open palm gently on her heart and stoops in appreciation, “Love you too bro, virus or no virus.” The room lights up into hearty cheers. Love, care and support had knocked out the wind from under the wings of the virus.

Born in a family of ten siblings, having many brothers and sisters means an abundance of love, care and support. Unlike a number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya, Inviolata’s family has outpaced stigma and discrimination.

“Love and support from my family, friends and colleagues is the oxygen I have been breathing for the past 14 years.”

Slightly plump, Inviolata frequently breaks into a sweetly ringing laughter displaying a set of teeth, as white as the droppings of the oluru bird (the white only interrupted by gaps between her teeth), ringed-patterns on her neck staring back in coy pride- all these are the hallmarks of African beauty.

Inviolata heads the Network for Empowerment of People Living and Affected with HIV/AIDS in Kenya (NEPHAK). Her name is found in the oft minimal space in the anti-HIV/AIDS diary in Kenya.

Inviolata advises for those living with the virus, birthdays call for celebration. A symbolic defiance against a stealthy virus infecting 40 million people globally, 75% of whom reside in Africa and where 600 Kenyans die every day.

Her boyfriend, who is also HIV-negative could not attend the party as he was away on business. But Inviolata is proud of their eight-year relationship, despite pressure from his relatives for their son to find a serro-negative girl.

“Marriage for me has become complicated because of the African traditions which require that a woman be capable of giving birth. I cannot do that without putting my boyfriend at risk.”

At one time the pressure on them was so much that Inviolata almost broke up with her partner. But reassurance from her boyfriend, whose name she does not want to reveal, kept the relationship intact.

She remains, however, optimistic that over time, her prospective in-laws will change their minds and accept her as a wife. This is especially the case because of the abundance of medical intervention currently available in the management of HIV/AIDS.

The advent of Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy (HAART) has turned HIV/AIDS into a chronic though manageable disease away from the bare-knuckled killer it was a decade ago. This means more birthdays for those who are HIV-positive.

“There is life beyond the virus, I don’t expect those who test positive today to stop living.”

But despite Inviolata’s reassuring words, her face turns into a mask of sadness as a shade flushes across her smooth peeled-avocado face. After hesitation she reveals what has pierced her heart.

“There are those who still think we are children of lesser gods because of our HIV-status. We should celebrate more birthday to prove our determination to live to the fullest.”

The conversation had drifted to the brutal murder of a 15-year old HIV-positive boy in Nyeri. At this point one could hear a feather drop as everyone sat with hand on cheek (a pose reflecting deep sadness in African context).

Weeks earlier Inviolata had led a demonstration condemning the hacking to death of Isaiah Gakuyo by his guardian uncle. He had driven the forked end of a hoe into Isaiah’s temple, snuffing out an already frail life. His justification? Isaiah’s constant sickness because of the virus was an unnecessary bother, he was heard bragging. To date, he remains at large, courtesy of relatives who harbour him, a Children’s Department reluctant to raise a finger and a community hesitant to break the silence.

“The murder is a sign that stigma and discrimination is becoming an epidemic on its own. We still need to change attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS.”

And despite the fact that the war against stigma and discrimination is easing, they are determined to emerge victorious.

“Today it is Isaiah Gakuyo, tomorrow it could be you, your mother, father, or your loved one. Embrace us with love…”

The burst of the mwana wamberi song jolts us out of the sad pre-occupation. The song is sang among Luhya to celebrate the birth of the first born. Indeed it was appropriate for Inviolata, who like a first born in the family was leading the way in the anti-AIDS struggle.

* Please send comments to or comment online at www.pambazuka.org

Germany plays host to the World Cup this year, bringing thousands of soccer fans from across the globe together in one place. The World Cup will also lure unsuspecting girls and women from Africa and other parts of the world who have been tricked by promises of good jobs and high pay. The trafficking of girls and women for the purposes of sexual exploitation is an unfortunate consequence of an event of this kind, but one that must be paid careful attention to.

Germany is in soccer fever. From June 9th to July 9th 2006 Germany is host to an estimated 1 million foreign football fans and a further 2 million domestic supporters. Under the motto “A time to make friends”, the national authorities and tourist offices are determined to improve Germany’s image abroad and show that it can be a hospitable and friendly country. Much has been done in the hosting cities to ensure the visitors feel at home – but there are fears that it will not be fun and games for everyone involved. Traffickers and pimps are seizing the chance to make money by bringing thousands of young women into the country to satisfy the sexual appetite of the fans. In most cases, the women have no idea what is waiting for them when they accept a job offer abroad. The traffickers target vulnerable women from the poorest countries where hopes and dreams often cloud vision.

“Many of the girls who come to us for help were tricked into coming with false promises, thinking they will get work in hotels or restaurants”, says Sister Lea Ackermann, founder of the women’s aid organisation SOLWODI (Solidarity With Women in Distress). “They hear about a chance to earn enough money for their families and have very unrealistic ideas of life in the West. Even those who know they will be working in a bar or brothel have no idea of the exploitation, abuse and violence that is waiting for them. Often the women are locked up by the brothel owners and forced to work in prostitution under terrible conditions. They see little of the money they make – the pimps and brothel owners make money at their expense”.

Exploitation of African girls and women According to official reports, victims are trafficked to Western Europe from Asia, South and Middle America, Africa and Eastern Europe. Of the 998 women who contacted one of the 10 SOLWODI centres in Germany last year, 236 originated from African states, with Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana taking the lead. Not all women who contact SOLWODI-Germany are victims of trafficking in the norrower sense of the word. But in almost every case they are brought to Germany with hopes of a better life, only to be confronted with violence and sexual exploitation, whether in the sex industry or in a relationship. Take Kenya, for example, which is considered to be an emerging center for human trafficking. As a transit country, victims of traffickers are illegally brought from South Africa and Asia via Kenya’s harbours and across the borders destined for Europe, where they are exploited in domestic labour or commercial sex work. Kenya is also a country of origin, where Kenyan girls, in particular those from the Coast region, are first lured into sex work by rich tourists during their holidays. In some cases their exploiters even take them to Europe, but there is seldom a happy end to the story. Without legal documents or only a tourist visa, they have no way of legally finding work, which means they remain completely dependent on their exploiters. Solidarity with the victims Those victims who find themselves stranded in Germany and hear about SOLWODI can contact one of the 10 counselling centres spread across the country. SOLWODI-Germany offers its clients access to information and support and helps in finding ways out of the distressing situation. Where possible, clients are supported in taking legal action against their tormentors. Those eligible for SOLWODI’s returnee programme are helped by the counsellors to develop plans for the future. Together with non-goverment organisations in the home countries, the counsellors organise the return home. Depending on the individual situation, clients may be able to receive financial assistance with an income-generating project, such as setting up a small vegetable stand or a hairdressing business. In the case of Kenyan women, returnees may continue to receive counselling and support from the sister organisation, SOLWODI-Kenya, which has centres along the Coast in the Mombasa, Mtwapa and Malindi regions. SOLWODI-Kenya, which was founded over 20 years ago, has long been engaged in outreach programmes for women and girls at risk of being drawn into prostitution and offers counselling, education on women’s rights and HIV/AIDS, and vocational skills training.

Prevention is better than salvation As part of its World Cup anti-traffickign activities SOLWODI-Germany launched a prevention campaign to warn potential victims in the typical countries of origin and transit. Material was sent to more than 100 organisations in Middle and Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa to explain the dangers of accepting lucrative job offers in Germany during the months leading up to the World Cup. For those women who could not be reached by the prevention campaign and who now find themselves in trouble in Germany, SOLWODI has set up a multi-language hotline from 1st May till 31th July 2006. Helpers who speak both German and at least one further language are staffing the hotline, which is available around the clock. Although the hotline is set up for foreign women in distress, calls have also been received by male customers who have reported cases of suspected forced prostitution and violence in brothels they have visited. This goes to show that SOLWODI’s awareness raising activities within Germany have been successful in also reaching the male population. Since there is no market without demand, the customers play a key role in trafficking and forced prostitution.

The best way of preventing women from becoming victims lies in empowerment. Elizabeth Akinyi, SOLWODI-Kenya’s leader in Mombasa, says that most of the 15- to 18-year-olds who get into commercial sex work are often school drop-outs from poor families. Initiation into transactional sex for cash or goods and favours starts between the ages of 12 –to 13 years. Many girls have dropped out of school because their parents/guardians are not able to meet their basic needs, which entail food, education [fees, uniform, books etc], shelter and other needs like clothing. Girls who are victims of commercial sex exploitation of children [CSEC] do so to supplement family income.” It is important that they understand the dangers of being involved in commercial sex work and there are other alternatives and this can be discussed when they come to SOLWODI”, says Ms Akinyi. “Almost every girl who contacts us would prefer to quit commercial sex exploitation by men and instead go for vocational /skills training. We have a waiting list for girls who want vocational training. None of the girls want to remain at the mercy of men who abuse them. As soon as the girls get a chance to start a new life, they take it and work hard to succeed. CSEC is one of the worst forms of child labour and we need to advocate for these poor girls who do not understand the health risks involved. SOLWODI works with young girls from ages 8 to 25 year who are at risk and those already in sex work. Our biggest problem is finding enough funds to pay for the school and college fees. We also urgently need a rescue centre.”

Outlook As long as there are women living in poverty and misery, traffickers will have no problem finding new victims. Just how many girls and women have been trafficked to Germany for the World Cup 2006 will probably never be known. Most will return home disillusioned and dejected. Others will remain in the country at the mercy of the brothel owners. For the traffickers the World Cup was another opportunity to trick vulnerable women and girls into coming to the Europe. And they will be looking out for the next chance.

To combat trafficking and exploitation realistic alternatives must be offered to girls and young women to enable them to live an independent life free from exploitation and abuse. Empowerment, through education, training and start-up loan programmes like those offered by SOLWODI, is one the best ways to prevent girls falling victims to traffickers.

For further information contact: SOLWODI in Kenya: solwodi AT wananchi.com SOLWODI in Germany: info AT solwodi.de

* Please send comments to or comment online at www.pambazuka.org

Human rights groups in Nigeria are in an uproar over the unconstitutional removal of the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission. Mr. Bukhari Bello. Over 30 groups have made their stance clear, arguing that not only does this undermine the country’s constitutionalism, but it also subverts the rights of Nigerians.

Sequel to the removal of Mr. Bukhari Bello, by Federal Government as Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), International Human Rights bodies including Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) yesterday (26 June) said they have withdrawn support from the National Human Rights Commission.

Meanwhile, 30 Nigerian civil society organisations have released separate complaints to Judge Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Mrs. Salamata Sawadogo, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights calling for the restoration of Bello to his position, an urgent international investigation of the independence of institutions for the protection of human rights in Nigeria, including the judiciary and the National Human Rights Commission and suspension of Nigeria from consultative relations with both bodies if the government fails to rescind its actions.

On Monday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, issued a letter to Bello, informing him of his removal as head of the commission.

The Minister said government was displeased with his criticisms of harassment and intimidation of journalists by the security services and denunciation by African National Human Rights Institutions of recent attempt at tenure extension and America’s role at Guatanamo Bay.

Mr. Bello is the Chairperson, Co-ordinating Committee of African National Human Rights Institutions.

They noted with dismay that the redeployment of Bello came at the time when the United Nations Human Rights Council is holding its inaugural meeting adding that Nigeria is one of the 47 elected members to the council based on its pledge to respect the promotion and protection of the rights of its citizens in general, as well as support the strengthening and independence of the National Human Rights Commission.

Condemning the action, Mr. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Director of the Africa Programme, Open Society Justice Initiative contended that the statements issued by Bello were in capacity as Chairperson, Co-ordinating Committee of African National Human Rights Institutions and that it was a collective decision of all the council members. “The Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has run carts and horses through the Paris Principles. They have undermined stability of tenure of the members of the Commission, compromised the Commission’s institutional efficacy and independence, and chosen to subvert the protection of human rights in Nigeria. The High Commis-sioner for Human Rights and the African Commission cannot stand idly by while these happen,” he said.

Speaking at the joint press conference, Dr. Nana Tanko, Executive Director of OSIWA said: “Nigeria is supposed to be in the forefront for respect of constitutionalism in the continent. Now they have set a bad precedence what is expected of other African Countries that are looking up to it? “For any democracy to work, the protection and promotion of the citizenry is very crucial. Issues should be looked at beyond individuals. “The action of Nigerian government by removing Bello negates all the work that has been done over the years in the area of Human Rights in Africa. If such removal must be done, due process must be followed. We have done a lot to support the National Human Rights Commission over the years but at this point we have no choice but to withdraw our support. We can’t imagine doing all that we have been doing and the government comes and makes a nonsense of all we have done.”

Chinonye Obiagwu, Co-ordinator of the Legal Defence and Aid Project (LEDAP), observed: “We are appalled at the treatment of Mr. Bukhari Bello. This is not just an issue about Mr. Bello. It is about the rule of law, due process, and proper governance. “If we allow this to go unchallenged, it is going to be a return to anarchy. This is a call to the trenches. It is very clear that government is no longer sensitive to constructive decision-making. We ask all members of civil society to suspend collaborative activities with the Federal Ministry of Justice until it makes clear that it will no longer interfere with the National Human Rights Commission.” Obiagwu pointed out that the Abacha government, which established the NHRC, appointed Mohammed Tabir, who was very critical of their policies, but never removed him.

He revealed that for the past five years a bill to amend the NHRC Act to give it more powers and remove government control has been pending at the National Assembly.

The groups contend that: “In taking this decision, the Justice Minister did not notify or consult with the Chairperson or other members of the Council of the National Human Rights Commission. On Monday, 19 June, the Chairperson of the Commission, Honourable Justice Anthony Igu promptly visited the Justice Minister to protest this interference in the independence of the NHRC and to affirm that the allegations on the basis of which the Attorney-General claimed to have acted fell firmly within the remit of the Executive Secretary and were done at all times on the instructions of the Council of the NHRC. “Principle 3(a)(iv) of the Paris Principles, A/Res/48/138, requires the establishment of National Human Rights Commissions for the purpose of ‘drawing the attention of the government to situations in any part of the country where human rights are violated and making proposals to it for initiatives to put an end to such situations and, where necessary, expressing an opinion on the positions and reactions of the government.’ “Principle 6 of the Paris Principles requires governments to ‘ensure a stable mandate for the members of the national institution, without which there can be no real independence.’ “In Article 26 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which is domestic law in Nigeria, the government of Nigeria undertakes to ‘guarantee the independence of ….appropriate national institutions entrusted with the promotion and protection of the rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Charter.’”

For further details see:

* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at www.pambazuka.org

A coalition of civil society organisations have written to the president of the AU and the AU Comission to express concern about the need to tackle the HIV and AIDS pandemic on the continent. They state that they are "anxious that the forthcoming Seventh Ordinary Summit reinforces the integrity of the AU, and confirms the strong leadership on HIV and AIDS demonstrated by African leaders at the Abuja Summit both in 2001 and again in 2006."

Alpha Oumar Konare, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU), urged the approval of African diplomatic passports on Wednesday at the opening of the 9th ordinary session of the AU Executive Council in Banjul. Mr Konare stated that “this is a major decision that we need to take, which also meets African populations’ expectations in the implementation of the agreement for the free movement of people and goods”. The Chairperson of the au regreted that some African countries impose visa requirements on heads of state and government or African Foreign ministers and asserted that it was “inadmissible”. He assured that the issuing of these documents would be “strictly monitored”.

Edited by Roselynn Musa, Faiza Mohamed, Firoze Manji, this book is the fruits of the labours of the Solidarity for African Women's Rights (SOAWR), a coalition of more than 20 gender, human rights and development NGOs in Africa, including the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, FEMNET, Association des Juristes Maliennes, Equality Now, Fahamu, Fundação para o desenvolvimento da Comunidade (an organisation founded by Graça Machel in Mozambique), Oxfam GB and Women in Law and Development in Africa. The book is published with the full endorsement and support of the African Union Women, Gender and Development Directorate.

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on Women's Rights grew out of a recognition that the African Union's Charter does not adequately address issues that affect women. It is arguably one of Africa's most ground-breaking and progressive rights instruments for gender equality, providing a comprehensive legal framework covering a broad range of women's social and economic rights, such as the reproductive right to abortion, and the legal prohibition of genital mutilation.

The papers in this book are the product of a conference jointly convened by the African Commission on Human and People's Rights and the Solidarity for African Women's Rights coalition that was held in Addis Ababa in September 2005. The primary aim of the conference was to shift the focus from the ratification of the Protocol to ensuring the meaningful implementation of its provisions. Some examples of topics covered are: the campaign for ratification, a report of the Addis Ababa meeting, SADC and the Protocol, NEPAD and women's rights, HIV/AIDS: a challenge to implementation; and challenge of harmonising the Protocol with national laws.

1904855660 172pp. 2006 Solidarity for African Women's Rights coalition £14.95 ISBN-13: 978-1-904855-66-8. The French edition will be published shortly.

Public Forum, 24th June 2006, Kairaba Beach Hotel, The Gambia

Welcome Remarks by Hannah Forster, Executive Director, ACDHRS

I feel utterly privileged to welcome you all to this very significant forum, marking the beginning of a number of activities being organised by the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights coalition around the AU Banjul Summit.

FEATURED: Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja talks to Pambazuka News about the strategic importance of DRC
COMMENT AND ANALYSIS:
- Inviolata celebrates life, and yet another birthday, in Kenya, where over 600 people die from HIV/AIDS every day
- With everyone being football crazy, what gets hidden from the news is that World Cup will also lure unsuspecting girls and women from Africa
- and with the migration of players from Africa to the west, soon Africa will be winning every World Cup
- Uproar about the removal of the Executive Secretary of Nigeria's Human Right Commission has led to worldwide condemnation
LETTERS: Msake Kane writes to advise caution in attributing misogynistic phenomena to Islam
PAN-AFRICAN POSTCARD: Will Tajudeen Abdul Raheem be late with his postcard now that he's working for the UN?
BLOGGING AFRICA: Sokari Ekine rounds up the African blogosphere
BOOKS AND ARTS: SOAWR publish Breathing Life into the African Union Protocol on Women's Rights in Africa
AFRICAN UNION MONITOR: Great activity at the AU Summit in Banjul means that we have an extra long section this week
CONFLICT AND EMERGENCIES: AK47 are the world's worst regulated weapon
HUMAN RIGHTS: As Optional Protocol against Torture enters into force, Zimbabwe police go on rampage of torture and brutality
WOMEN AND GENDER: UN finds women heads of household destitute
REFUGEES AND FORCED MIGRATION: Refugees help Zimbabwe out of health crisis
ELECTIONS AND GOVERNANCE: Mauritania gives thumbs up to new constitution
DEVELOPMENT: In desperation, Zimbabweans turn into entrepreneurs
CORRUPTION: Another Kenyan anti-corruption activist sacked
HEALTH AND HIV/AIDS: Cholera death toll rises in Guinea
EDUCATION: Kenya calls for free secondary education
ENVIRONMENT: WHO claims environmental exposure cause 25% of deaths
LAND AND LAND RIGHTS: Exodus-Kutoka net online
MEDIA AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: South Africa state media bans commentators
INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY: African parliamentarians catching up on internet technologies
PLUS: e-Newsletters and Mailings Lists; Fundraising and Useful Resources; Courses, Seminars and Workshops; Jobs.

Ethiopian blogger, Weichegud!ET Politics (http://weichegud.blogspot.com/2006/06/letter-to-paul-wolfowitz.html) writes an open letter to World Bank President, Paul Wolfowitz who is soon to visit Ethiopia. She writes eloquently on the realities of Ethiopia under the dictatorship of Meles Zenawi and what she expects from the US:

“I don’t envy American diplomats in Ethiopia. How do you negotiate with a leader of a country who many diplomats privately admit has a “psychopathic willingness to kill his own people to keep power”? Seriously, how do you negotiate with that? How do you put pressure on a man not to shoot innocent people? How do you beg him to care for his own people?”

But even then, Paul, how does the American ambassador in Ethiopia venture out to exert pressure on imprisoned opposition leaders to give their blessing to a new political party created and manipulated by the ruling party? How does the American Ambassador quote Ecclesiastes and tell Ethiopians who have survived Mengistu Haile Mariam and 15 years of the EPRDF that it takes decades to build a democracy? “

While she admits that challenging the present Ethiopian regime is a huge task, she asks why Ethiopians have to “beg” the US to be on the side of those seeking peaceful democracy? Wonkette comes up with one of the best lines I have heard to date

“To Make Poverty History you have to make tyranny history” which leads to a couple of questions: Will the Americans do the “right” thing? Or is there one rule for Mugabe and another for Zenawi? If so what is the difference, or is that just to black and white?

Thinkers Room - Thinkers Room (http://www.thinkersroom.com/blog/2006/06/heads-up/) raises the possibility that Kenya will join other African countries (Egypt, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Gambia and Zimbabwe in harassing bloggers)

“The Internet bloggers bit without a doubt did not come from him. I have for a long time been of the opinion that Michuki and his ilk are of the opinion that the Internet is a new fangled fishing device. But one never knows……….Bottom line — bloggers are now on the government radar.”

So African governments are increasingly becoming aware of the blogosphere and bloggers. There are two ways of looking at this – half empty (we face detention and arrest, loose our jobs, get harassed by the police). I prefer the half full approach. African bloggers are not constrained like the mainstream media and are openly and daily challenging the dictators, bullies and their thugs, exposing their lies and corruption. Thinkers final words! ……..“I won’t be cowed online but I jolly well will keep a very low profile physically!!! And judging from the huge number of comments nor will other Kenyan bloggers. Keep on blogging – big brother is watching and reading.

Chippla’s Weblog - Chippla's Weblog (http://chippla.blogspot.com/2006/06/republic-and-underclass-caste-system...) tackles on of the taboo subjects in Nigeria, the caste system that continues to operate in Nigeria today.

“the caste system is not only alive but also kicking in present-day Nigeria. From the north to the south of the country, across the diverse ethnic affiliations, one finds dozens of traditions that define who an outcast is and why. The Fulanis in the north have a cast system as do the Igbos in the southeast. The Igbo caste system is probably the most widely known in Nigeria due to the fact that it has been well documented in literature. However, one can almost be certain that every Nigerian ethnic group practices it to a certain extent. The outcasts in Igbo land are known as osus. Going by tradition an osu (who is in principle a slave by birth) cannot marry a freeborn. Thus, an osu is only expected to marry an osu. Not even Christianity, which is quite a force among the Igbos, appears to have attenuated this caste tradition.”

The caste system is closely related to slavery – another taboo subject for which many are in denial. Slavery exists today in the North East of Nigeria, in Kanuri land. The use of child labour as unpaid domestics servants and labourers is also a form of slavery that is condoned across ethnic people and class. It is high time that progressive thinking Nigerians begin to tackle these abusive systems that exist openly in our society by bringing the discussion into the public arena.

Gambian blogger, Ousman Cessay of Home of the Mandinmories - Home of the mandinmories (http://gambian.blogspot.com/2006/06/bizarre.html) comments on a white man whose ancestor was supposedly the first to sell slaves in the Caribbean, and who went to Gambia, dressed himself in chains in Banjul Stadium and made a public apology for slavery. The President of Gambia then very kindly forgave him and removed his chains!

Cessay comments: “I wonder why this man finds it necessary to apologise to Gambians for the inhuman actions of his forbears. He could have done that in his neck of the woods. There are millions of descendants of African slaves in the United Kingdom. They are the people who bear the brunt of slavery. But I guess he knew that they will not tolerate his clownish behavior. So what better place to put up a clownish masquerade than the Gambia. Read the rest of the story below.”

I have to agree with him. This is a mockery. The man seems to have chosen public flagellation instead of privately having a visit with a dominatrix in his own home – maybe that is part of his kick – public humiliation except he wasn’t humiliated just played the part of a sad pathetic fool. If he feels so badly about his slave trade ancestors then choose to do something useful amongst the African descendents within his own community in Britain instead of a publicity stunt that helps no one but himself.

The Moor Next Door - The Moor Next Door (http://wahdah.blogspot.com/2006/06/china-america-and-arabs.html) comments on China’s public relations successes in the “battle for the hearts and minds” of the Arab world. Whilst America is failing in it’s project. For one thing the failure of Americans involved in the Middle East either as diplomats or journalists to speak Arabic. The other point is

“the Beijing Consensus" is more favourable in the eyes of many Arabs than is the "Washington Consensus. This is the handicap of US policy all over the Third World: US policy is perceived as being alien or oppressive while Soviet (in past years) or Chinese policy is seen as being favourable because China too is a Third World nation that has fought imperialism and has stood with the Third World peoples in the face of Western pressure. The US must continue to promote democratization in Arab countries, even when it is not popular in the US's domestic politics or with the dictators.” He concludes that the US can compete with China in the Arab world, they just have to make an effort and for example start by staffing their embassies and offices with people who speak Arabic.

Just Thots of a Naijaman - Just thots of a naijaman (http://davidylan.blogspot.com/2006/06/idiots-rascalsrats-and-bigger-rats...) has a rant at Nigeria’s leaders who he describes as “Idiots, rascals,rats and bigger rats in Power”.

In particular he takes a swipe at , Obasanjo’s latest ministerial nominee, Fani Kayode who last week “suddenly remembered he was a humble born again Christian when he faced the ministerial confirmation committee in the senate. After years of abusing his elders, "loud mouth" Fani was sweating as he desperately tried to convince the senate committee that he would not abuse anyone again!”

Senator Ahamdu Ali “takes the price as the most abusive Nigerian in power. Thanks to him, we now know that rats have been gnawing for years at our foreign reserve, idiots have taken control of our legislative houses and we have entrusted the future of our nation to rascals.”

And finally, Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters. Florence Ita-Giwa aka mama Bakassi (“who we only just realised was an illegal alien”) “has still not told us if she would apply for residency permit or risk being deported to Cameroun. No one knows where the Bakassi residents would be relocated to, it is only in Nigeria that owners of a land belong to one country and their land to another country.”

The reintegration of thousands of refugees around Dongo in Democratic Republic of the Congo's Equateur province is surpassing expectations and could encourage others to return from neighbouring Republic of Congo. But despite the positive reintegration trends and the high level of returns, the lack of funding for UNHCR's voluntary repatriation programme for Congolese refugees remains a significant problem that could ultimately affect returns planned for the second half of this year.

Africa's abundant natural resources hold the key to poverty eradication on the continent, but only if they are used carefully and managed creatively to improve people's living standards, according to a new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Given China’s growing hunger for natural resources and Africa’s persistent need for economic aid, the world’s most populous country and the globe’s poorest continent appear to be nurturing a perfect symbiotic relationship. Or is it? Human rights groups caution that China’s quest for raw materials could undermine respect for human rights and efforts at political reform in Africa.

Crucial elections in Ivory Coast are unlikely to happen soon, but players in the protracted negotiations are drawing inspiration from the fighting spirit of the Elephants, the national soccer team. Critical prerequisites for elections have not taken place. Disarmament of rebels and militias has not started, and just over 3000 citizens have been registered. Only once this is completed can a voters roll be drawn up.

Niger’s ministers for health and education were dismissed on Tuesday 27 June following allegations of corruption by donors and development partners. An audit by a coalition of technical and financial partners of Niger this year uncovered a series of invoices paid without receipt of goods and said that government money had been spent without reference to proper procedures.

Next January, the heads of member states of the African Union will meet to discuss science and technology in what will be a unique opportunity to support the continent's scientific renaissance. It is now accepted that scientific and technological capacity is necessary to achieve the widely endorsed Millennium Development Goals, reports SciDev.

Now that the 40th anniversary of Stokely Carmichael’s changing the direction, tempo and agenda of the civil-rights movement by chanting the phrase “Black Power!” in Greenwood, Mississippi has passed with scarcely a notice from black folks, perhaps it’s time to evaluate black power’s successes and failures.

It's not just conservative white Americans that are against the Senate's immigration reform plan that would grant earned legalization to millions of undocumented migrants. A group calling themselves simply 'Choose Black America' has emerged to oppose what they claim is an 'illegal alien amnesty', reports Hard Beat News.

A total of 60 women are expected to attend the second series of the sub-Saharan Women Educational Leadership Workshop in Gaborone next month. According to a news release from the organisers, the workshop is a unique opportunity for women leaders to come and hone their skills, articulate and strategise on gender mainstreaming in policies and programming and gain knowledge of how to deal with HIV/AIDS and Poverty.

Countries in crisis and the wider international community must do much more to support women’s involvement in solving Africa’s deadliest conflicts. Beyond Victimhood: Women’s Peacebuilding in Sudan, Congo and Uganda, the latest Crisis Group report, assesses what women have been able to achieve in those three countries to challenge the dominance of militarised solutions.

The mobile phone bleeped twice in the London offices of the UN World Food Programme and shuddered briefly. A cancelled meeting? A free mobile upgrade? No. This time, an appeal, from a disaster zone in the Horn of Africa. The text message was short and to the point: "My name is Mohammed Sokor, writing to you from Dagahaley refugee camp in Dadaab. Dear sir, there is an alarming issue here. People are given too few kilogrammes of food. You must help."

Africa's home-grown economic rescue plan meant to speed development and economic growth on the continent has failed, one of its chief architects was quoted as saying. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade, one of the masterminds behind the New Partnership for Africa's Development Plan (NEPAD), said on June 27 the initiative had not produced results and needed a new lease of life.

A new manual from Network Learning gives simple and basic guidance on how to incorporate gender concerns into NGO work. This manual could be used by organisations working in any area.

On the eve of the fifth annual conference staged by the Black Colloquium, an organisation that promotes African centred learning, a committee member said that the establishment of a black university in the UK is crucial to promote African centred learning.

AfriForum says it had seemed for a period of five years - from June 1991 to May 1996 - that South Africa was on the way of establishing a truly non-racial democracy. But since then, several laws and actions taken by government were in essence creating a new system of racial classifications.

While South African law guarantees refugees and asylum seekers the right to work, many employers discriminate against them. In part this is a reflection of the xenophobic attitudes of many South Africans, which Majodina ascribes to a complex mix of historical, social and political factors, combined with our long isolation during apartheid.

According to filmmaker Makela Pulula, 800 refugees from around Africa enter Cape Town every month. Pulula’s documentary, A Shadow of Hope, is one of several films at the Durban International Film Festival to examine and interrogate issues of migration, displacement and asylum-seeking. "South Africans don’t want to accept the reality, because they don’t want to see themselves in the mirror."

The focus of the Regional Workshop on HIV and AIDS and Children’s Property Rights and Livelihoods in Southern and East Africa, was on children’s property rights. The report covers presentations by children, key issues and inspiring initiatives by CBOs, messages from the UN to children, experiences from Zimbabwe, very moving testimonies by children, and key recommendations, reports Oxfam.

ITPC is seeking to hire an International Coordinator, who with supervision and guidance from the ITPC's governing body, the International Steering Group (ISG), will manage day-to-day operations of the coalition. The International Coordinator will also work closely with the members of ITPC, all of whom are volunteers.

Djibouti has joined the Pan-African Network (PAN) that aims to bridge the digital divide and offer telemedicine & tele-education services to the countries of the African Union (AU). PAN is part of the proposed plan to connect all the 53 nations of the African Union by a satellite and fiber optic network that would provide effective tele-education, telemedicine, internet, videoconferencing and VoIP services and also support e-Governance, e-Commerce, infotainment, resource mapping and meteorological services.

Somalia's Islamic Courts Union has blamed foreigners for the murder of a Swedish journalist during a massive demonstration organised by the group in Mogadishu after Friday prayers to support a new peace deal, writes Eric Nyakagwa. The Swedish cameraman, Martin Halder, was hit in the heart by a pistol bullet, according to journalists at the Fagaaraha Tarabunka (Tribune Plaza), where the demonstration was taking place, reports Journalism.co.za.

Lesotho’s communications ministry has dismissed calls by the Lesotho chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa for the transformation of the national broadcaster into a public broadcaster, writes Mzimkhulu Sithetho. In a position paper on the transformation model, Misa Lesotho (Miles) says Radio Lesotho and Lesotho Television should be governed by a board independent of government interference, reports Journalism.co.za.

The Institute for the Advancement of Journalism is offering several courses for working journalists: sports reporting, interviewing, basic reporting and writing for print, over the next few weeks. Courses will be held at the IAJ, 9 Jubilee Road, Parktown, Johannesburg. Closing date for application is two weeks before the start of the course.

The Eldis Conflict and Security resource guide editors have launched a new blog dedicated to following the latest news and information on conflict and development issues. The blog will be updated on a regular basis and we hope to encourage comments and debates. Guest bloggers will also be invited to add contributions and commentary on current security issues which relate to all aspects of international development.

This paper reviews the literature on decentralization in multi-ethnic states with the objective of exploring key issues in the literature, identifying research gaps and suggesting policy recommendations for Norwegian development policy. Overall, the review demonstrates that many of the promises of decentralization have not been met or documented, or the results have been mixed.

Amnesty International has compiled a collection of articles on trade, investment and human rights, examining the linkages between economic globalisation and human rights.

Country Director - CCF Guinea is a new CCF programme with offices based in Conakry. This vacancy will attract a leader with plenty of initiative and extensive high level management experience to provide strategic leadership and vision for the Guinea programme. Program Director - this new and challenging vacancy based in Conakry, Guinea will attract a senior development manager to lead the efficient design, delivery and management of all CCF programs in Guinea.

In a blow to the UN Security Council's hopes of deploying UN peacekeepers in Darfur, Sudan's president vowed never to allow UN peacekeepers into Sudan and promised he would lead the "resistance" against any foreign force. President Omar al-Bashir characterized a potential UN mission as a "colonial force" in his strongest rejection yet of the UN intervention plan in Darfur. He called for the UN to instead bolster the African Union peacekeepers currently in Darfur.

This BBC article discusses the challenges of growing populations in urban centers throughout the world and especially in Africa. Although Sub-Saharan Africa boasts the world's highest rate of urban migration, cities and governments fall short in providing basic social services. The UN Millennium Declaration addressed this issue, and UN-Habitat will continue to discuss potential solutions in the biannual World Urban Forum.

26 June, the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, is marked by thousands of people at more than 100 locations worldwide. The need to allocate more resources to rehabilitation of torture victims is imminent. On 26 June, the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the world says a clear NO to torture. On this special day, the struggle against torture is being celebrated by thousands of people worldwide, and the victims of this man-made atrocity are commemorated.

The conference will focus on the need to develop science communication and establish collaborative networks on the African continent. SAASTA aims to advance public awareness, appreciation, and engagement of science, engineering, and technology in South Africa.

The Trust for African Rock Art, TARA, is dedicated to the awareness and preservation of African rock art. It is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation, registered in Kenya and America whose work has been endorsed by Nelson Mandela and Kofi Annan.

Two men, deported to Algeria from the UK, have failed to contact their families on their return. Concern about the men is now mounting after security services in Algeria confirmed that they had arrived, were being held in custody, but gave no other details.

The Development Gateway Foundation is calling for nominations for its US$100,000 prize for outstanding achievement in the use of information and communication technologies to improve lives in developing countries. Sponsored in part by Intel Corporation, this year’s Development Gateway Award is focusing on initiatives that empower or improve the conditions of youth.

The International Development Research Centre and TrustAfrica have established an Investment Climate and Business Environment (ICBE) Research Fund, which will make available up to US$2.8 million through various initiatives and rounds of funding for researchers in private sector development based in African universities, business schools, and independent research institutions.

Oxfam’s programme in Zimbabwe has gone through considerable changes in the past 18 months, in response to a rapidly changing context. Zimbabwe’s economic crisis coupled with the region’s underlying and deepening chronic vulnerability, creates a unique environment and a complex mix of emergency and development needs. Oxfam’s programme is responding to many of these needs, particularly food and livelihoods insecurity and the effects of HIV and AIDS.

While much attention has been given to the crisis in Darfur, little mention has been made to over 110,000 refugees from Ethiopia and Eritrea on the eastern border of Sudan. Workers there claim that the refugees' basic needs are just as dire and urgent as those in Darfur.

The government of Liberia formally launched the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) with appropriate indoor activities reportedly in all political subdivisions of the country. The June 22 launch of the TRC did not only affirm the commission's independence of action and decision, but it also opened the way for the commencement of the activities nationwide that will hopefully lead to reconciliation, the undoing of the culture of impunity, and the establishment of a new order for a sustainable democratization of the nation.