African leaders and international organisations begun a three-day conference in the Ethiopian capital to declare, “zero tolerance” of the widespread practice of female genital mutilation. The conference, also to be attended by African first ladies, intends to declare 6 February a “World Day for zero tolerance for female genital mutilation,” said the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices, the organiser of the conference.

Applications are now open for the III International Human Rights Colloquium to be held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, from May 26 to June 6, 2003. The theme of the Colloquium is The Rule of Law and the Construction of Peace. The primary objective of the Colloquium is to strengthen new leadership and to enhance the capacity of human rights activists to improve the performance of their own organisations.

Angolan authorities would have to show a greater commitment to financial transparency at an upcoming international donor conference if it is to succeed in securing the external support needed to kick-start its national reconstruction programme, analysts said on Monday.

The governments of Sweden and the United Republic of Tanzania signed an agreement on 31 January under which Sweden will provide 455 million kronor (US $50 million) to support Tanzania's 2003-06 Primary Education Development Plan.