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Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 17:12:31 -0800
From: Charlotte Utting <[log in to unmask]>
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Subject: [wa-afr] FW: WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER
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From: "West Africa Newsletter" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 26 Feb 2001 10:47:15 -0800
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER
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International Center and Liberia Institute of Journalism
WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER
Reporting on Human Rights, Democracy & Development
Vol. No. 10 February 23, 2001
Please send this newsletter to anyone who would be interested!
CONTENTS
1. EDITOR'S COMMENTS
2. RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
3. REFUGEES
4. HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT
5. DEVELOPMENT
6. ELECTIONS WATCH/WEST AFRICA
7. MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY
8. GRANTS
9. INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND-NEWSLINE
10. SUBSCRIBE WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER
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1. EDITOR'S COMMENTS
Last week we ran a review on an article that is scheduled to be published in
the "Africa Geopolitics", this spring. "Democracy by Default" written by
Learned Dees. Many of our readers felt that "Give War a Chance" was not a
"pessimistic view" as Mr. Dees termed it in his article.
They were of the view that the Peace table solution has not really achieved
lasting peace for Africa. Martin Bashir of Ghana, suggested that if the
International mediators were to "Give War a Chance", probably we wouldn't
have so much untold death and massive destructions of properties. But Bah
Toure, a Sierra Leonean refugee living in Guinea, says allowing a winner
takes all scenario will lead to more death and untold suffering as he and
many of his countrymen are experiencing. Amanita Saidu, says she doesn't
blame the warlords it's the multi-nationals who buy the diamonds and greedy
middlemen who supply the guns and bullets are to be blamed. She goes on to
say that they should be charged for war crimes against humanity and if found
guilty "they should be amputated".
2. RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
Senegal: Decision on Ex-Chad Dictator Due
http://www.hrw.org/press/2001/02/habre2002.htm
Senegal's highest court is to rule March 6 on whether Chad's exiled former
President, Hissane Habri, should stand trail in Senegal on torture charges.
(source:HRW)
AFRICA: Value of State human rights bodies questioned
http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/wa/wafp.phtml
A rapid growth in the establishment of government-backed human rights
commissions throughout Africa in the last decade has not generally led to
better protection, the New York-based organization, human Rights watch,
charged in a major study released Thursday.(source:reliefweb)
WEST AFRICA: Preparing for disaster management
http://www.releifweb.int/IRIN/wa/wafp.phtml
Representatives of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies from 11 West African
countries are attending a 10-day workshop on disaster management that began
last Monday in Lome. (source: Reliefweb)
NIGERIA: Parliamentarians oppose oil sector deregulation
http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/wa/wafp.phtml
Nigeria's Senate will oppose a plan by the government to deregulate the oil
sector, a senator said on Tuesday.
SIERRA LEONE: UNAMSIL commander meets RUF leader
http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/wa/wafp.phmtl
The force commander of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone, Lt-Gen Daniel Opande,
on Tuesday met RUF leader Issa Sesay to discuss the implementation of the
peace process in the war-torn country, officials said.
One-third of all babies die in Kenema, IRC says
http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/wa/wafp.phtml
Nearly one-third of infants born in Sierra Leone's diamond-rich Kenema
district died last year before reaching their first birthday.
Sierra Leone: ECOWAS urged to arrest Bockarie
http://www.reliefweb.int/IRIN/wa/wafp.phtml
The Sierra Leonean government has urged the Economic Community of West
African States to help arrest former Revolutionary United Front (RUF)
commander, Sam Bockarie, and extradite him to Freetown, the 'Concord Times'
newspaper reported on Tuesday.
3. REFUGEES
Guinea: aid to Parrot's Beak region to begin Saturday?
http://www.unhcr.ch/refworld/cgi-bin/newshcr.pl
UNHCR and its partners are preparing to transport aid to tens of thousands
of people caught in the Parrot's Beak area so southwest Guinea.
(source:UNHCR News)
4. HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT
Bush Team Signals No Change in Africa Drug Policy
http://www.latimes.com/print/asection/20010221/t000015650.html
The Bush administration signaled will not reverse an executive order issued
by President Clinton a year ago that potentially would make it easier for
impoverished nations to have access to AIDS drugs at inexpensive price.
(source: Marlene Cimons, Times)
AFRICA: Annan calls for more intensified effort against HIV/AIDS
http://www.reliefweb.int/INRIN/wa/wafp.phtml
Governments must intensify their fight against HIV/AIDS, "the most
formidable development challenge of our time", said UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan. In a report released on Tuesday in preparation for the UN
General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in June. (source: IRIN)
Aids vaccine gives Africa ray of hope
http://www.observer.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,439612,00.html
An Anglo-Kenyan team will begin trails in Nairobi this week of the first
Aids vaccine specifically designed for Africa, where 90 percent of Aids
victims live.
New Study Reveals that Environmental Damage Threatens Future World Food
Production
http://www.worldbank.org/news
World food production is at risk from farming methods that have degraded
soils, parched aquifers, polluted waters, and caused the loss of animal and
plant species, according to a new report by the International Food Policy
Research Institute (IFPRI) and the World Resources Institute (WRI).
African countries to suffer from global warming
http://www.wildnetafrica.com
According to a new United Nations report, poor countries in Africa, Asia and
Latin America, and in particular small island states, will be the hardest
hit by global warming, The Star reports. (source: IOL)
5. DEVELOPMENT
World Development Report 2000/2001: Attacking Poverty
http://www.worldbank.org/poverty/wdrpoverty/report/index.htm
Poor people live without fundamental freedoms of action and choice that the
better off take granted. They often lack adequate food and shelter,
education and health, deprivations that keep them from leading the kind of
life that everyone values.
FINANCE CHIEFS, AFRICAN LEADERS HAIL 'NEW APPROACH' TO POVERTY
http://www.worldbank.org/news
The heads of the World Bank and IMF hailed a new era in their relations with
Africa on Tuesday during an unprecedented joint visit to the continent. The
two met 10 African heads of state during two days of meetings in the Malian
capital Bamako. (source:CNN)
World Council of Credit Unions, enabling millions of people to grow in
Africa
http://www.woccu.org
Enabling millions of people to grow and gain access to financial services in
Africa, is one of the aim of World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and its
member organizations throughout Africa and the world.
Recognizing the need to narrow the economic gap between the world's six
billion people, World Council's vision is to provide "quality credit unions
for everyone".
Commenting on this need Arthur Arnold, WOCCU's president and CEO says,
"World Council is committed to Africa and the national movement of the
continent. We look forward to our continuing work-together with these
movements-to narrow the economic gap, strengthen the credit unions and reach
out to millions more Africans".
Over the last five years, World Council has worked on projects totaling
US$26 million reaching out to 1.2 million people in the African countries of
Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Rwanda, Swaziland,
Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
WOCCU newest project is underway in Rwanda. A four-year, US$2.997 million
credit union development and strengthening project funded by USAID. WOCCU
Worldwide foundation is helping to fund building of Rwanda's first public
library.
6. ELECTIONS WATCH/ WEST AFRICA
First female presidential candidate in Benin
http://www.afrol.com/News2001/ben002_woman_candidate.htm
The campaign for Benin's 4 March presidential elections has begun with a
bang with the first female candidate for president criss-crossing the
country trying to drum up support for her candidacy. Marie-Elise Akouavi
Gbedo, a lawyer and a divorced mother of two, is the only woman among the 17
presidential contenders.
OUSTED MILITARY RULER FORMS POLITICAL PARTY
According to the Wednesday, February 12, 2001-edition of the New York Times,
the ousted military ruler of the Ivory Coast, Gen. Robert Guei has formed a
new political party. The Union for Democracy and Peace. Since being kicked
out off office he has remained free inside the country although he committed
wide spread human rights abuses.
7. MEDIA/TECHNOLOGY
Four journalists jailed on espionage charges in Liberia
http://www.cnn.com/2001/World/africa/02/22/liberia.journalistsarrested.ap/in
dex.htm
Authorities have jailed four journalists with an independent newspaper seen
as critical of President Charles Taylor, accusing them of espionage. At a
hearing on Thursday, government attorneys said the charge was a capital
offense punishable by death. (source:CNN)
8. GRANTS
IN SEARCH OF GRANTS
Every week the WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER will publish the links of five donors,
who could be contacted for information about their grant procedures.
In West Africa knowing where to apply for grant is a major problem. We hope
this can help.
American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Education for Democracy Int'l project
http://www.aft.org/INTERNATIONAL
Human Rights Education Ass. (HREA)
http://www.hrea.org
Swedish Int'l Liberal Center
http://www.silc.liberal.se
Freedom to Write
http://www.Pen.org/freedom/freedom.html
INTERNEWS
http://www.Internews.org
9. INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND-NEWSLINE
IMF Approves Third Annual PRGF Loan Senegal
http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2001/pr0105.HTM
The Executive board of the IMF on February 16, 2001 approved the third
annual arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) to
support Senegal's economic and financial program. (source: IMF News)
10. SUBSCRIBE WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER
http://www.kabissa.org/lij
This is the WEST AFRICA NEWSLETTER, a new source for reporting on human
rights, democracy and development news and networking. Produced and
distributed free of charge by the International Center, 731-8th SE,
Washington, DC 20003, AND Liberia Institute of Journalism, Kashour Building,
2nd floor, Corner of Broad and Johnson Streets, P. O. Box 2314, Monrovia,
Liberia, West Africa.
This project is funded by a grant from the International Center to the
Liberia Institute of Journalism.
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Our next meeting is Wednesday, Feb 28, Safeco Center, E Main and 23rd, Seattle
7:00 PM WSAN business meeting
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