African News Updates

ALERT BLOG NO.17

A selection of links to the latest from Africa!


[AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES]
NIGER: Is Plumpy'nut ready to grow up?
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76502
MAURITANIA: Locust swarms cause panic but no damage
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76730

[CONFLICT]
DRC: The displaced just want peace
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76364
KENYA: Violence paralyses western towns as political crisis deepens
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76453

[ECONOMY]
ZIMBABWE: Walking for survival
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76369
SOUTH AFRICA: A jobs blackout?
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76459

[EDUCATION]
KENYA: Campuses stay closed amid concern over student protests
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76448
ZIMBABWE: Mowing and cleaning replace geography and algebra
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76475

[ENVIRONMENT]
SOMALIA: Food, water shortages hit Galgadud
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76446
NIGERIA: Motorcycle pollution causing health risks in Kano city
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76693

[HEALTH]
SOUTH AFRICA: Government under pressure to introduce new PMTCT regimen
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76394
BOTSWANA: Extremely dangerous TB strain detected
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76348

[NATURAL DISASTERS]
MOZAMBIQUE: Flood lessons
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76480
ZAMBIA: Lusaka floodwater has nowhere to go
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76566

[POLITICS]
KENYA: Mediation effort ¡Èfails to stem violence, tension¡É
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76422
ZIMBABWE: Between the lines
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76420
KENYA: Tensions high as Annan-brokered talks begin
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76477

African News Updates

ALERT BLOG NO.16

A selection of links to the latest from Africa!


[AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES]
ZAMBIA: Emergency preparedness pays off as harvest hopes fade
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76419
LIBERIA: Bringing cocoa back to life
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76429

[CONFLICT]
UGANDA: More refugees flee from neighbouring Kenya
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76272
NIGERIA: Basic services crisis turns deadly in Kaduna
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76281

[ECONOMY]
LESOTHO: Anti-Chinese resentment flares
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76405
COMOROS: Rescue plan on the table for troubled islands
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76410

[EDUCATION]
KENYA: Massive displacement hurting education in the Rift Valley
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76402
NIGERIA: Poverty and poor education behind child trafficking – govt
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76411

[ENVIRONMENT]
DRC: World Bank slams its own forest reforms
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76384
EGYPT: Study says quality of Nile water has improved
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76382

[HEALTH]
WEST AFRICA: WHO warns meningitis outbreak has begun in region
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76303
BURKINA FASO: Concern about rise in unwanted teenage pregnancies
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76299

[NATURAL DISASTERS]
SOUTHERN AFRICA: Contingency planning saves many from floods
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76324
MOZAMBIQUE: Cannot live with the river, cannot live without it
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76370

[NGO/CSOs]
CHAD: Mixed verdicts on coordination of massive relief effort
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76386

[POLITICS]
COMOROS: Hope is a boat to Mayotte
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76277
COTE D'IVOIRE: UN warns of lingering threats to stability
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76283

African News Updates

ALERT BLOG NO.15

A selection of links to the latest from Africa!


[AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES]
ETHIOPIA-KENYA: FAO forecasts locust swarms in January
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75936
ZIMBABWE: No middle ground for crops between drought and deluge
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76274

[CONFLICT]
RWANDA: Living side by side – genocide victims and perpetrators reconcile the past
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76184
DRC: Displaced people still on the move despite peace conference
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76198

[ECONOMY]
GLOBAL: Fund launched for poor countries struggling with high food prices
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76225
SWAZILAND: Long on policies but short on implementation
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76182

[EDUCATION]
NIGERIA: Classroom shortages threaten primary education targets
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76243
SOUTH AFRICA: No registration, no benefits
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75683

[HEALTH]
ZIMBABWE: Water shortages cause diarrhoea outbreak
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76120
SOUTHERN AFRICA: WHO warns of high levels of malaria
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76064

[NATURAL DISASTERS]
MOZAMBIQUE: Fear of more flooding to come
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76126
MOZAMBIQUE-ZIMBABWE: Flood death toll rises
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75968

[POLITICS]
MAURITANIA: Heightened insecurity not hindering aid operations
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76147
ZIMBABWE/UK: No welcome mat for asylum seekers
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76230

Kenya's post election crisis

Influences of Kenya¡Çs post election crisis now spread widely.

KENYA: Kenya's post election crisis
http://www.irinnews.org/IndepthMain.aspx?IndepthId=68&ReportId=76116

[CONFLICT]
KENYA: Hospitals treating hundreds in post-poll violence
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76156
KENYA: After-effects of poll clashes hit northern Kenya
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76140
KENYA: Aftermath of poll clashes seen from space
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76102

[REFUGEE]
KENYA: Homeless in the homelands - the perils of IDP evacuation
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76123
KENYA-UGANDA: More Kenyan displaced arriving at refugee centres
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76115
KENYA: Slum-dwellers hit hard by post-election crisis
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76107
UGANDA-KENYA: Border town sets up camps for families displaced by poll violence
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76076

[ECONOMY]
KENYA: It¡Çs the economy, stupid (not ¡Ètribalism¡É)
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76159
KENYA: Diaspora clicks in to keep Kenya talking
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76108

[AID]
KENYA-UGANDA: Food aid reaches displaced families in border towns
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76100

[POLITICS]
ZIMBABWE: Food stockpiling as people fear the 'Kenya syndrome'
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76161

African News Updates

ALERT BLOG NO.14

A selection of links to the latest from Africa!


[AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES]
EAST AFRICA: Locust infestation serious in Kenya and Ethiopia, says FAO
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75831
MOZAMBIQUE: Growing poverty with mineral wealth
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76119

[CONFLICT]
DRC: Government and rebel groups meet to discuss peace
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76125
CHAD: Army forcibly recruiting youths, rights group says
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75879
ETHIOPIA: Healing the scars of conflict
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75843

[ECONOMY]
MOZAMBIQUE: What price the benefits of foreign investment?
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75790
ZIMBABWE: Money for nothing
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=76093

[EDUCATION]
AFRICA: Halfway to 2015 education goals, progress not fast enough
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75907

[ENVIRONMENT]
SENEGAL: Empty granaries in Casamance
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75861
GLOBAL: Climate change - heating up conflict
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75787

[HEALTH]
LIBERIA: Health user fees - helpful or harmful?
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75780
DRC-UGANDA: Ebola outbreak leads to border closure
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75856
CONGO: State urged to improve ¡Èdisastrous¡É healthcare system
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75823

[NATURAL DISASTERS]
SOMALIA: Fatal flash floods destroy hundreds of homes in Puntland
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75206
CONGO: Heavy rains leave key rail link underwater
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75153

[NGO/CSOs]
SOMALIA: Soup kitchens for the poorest in Mogadishu
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75852
ETHIOPIA: Six more NGOs to operate in Somali region
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75402

[POLITICS]
KENYA: Kenya's post election crisis
http://www.irinnews.org/IndepthMain.aspx?IndepthId=68&ReportId=76116
ZIMBABWE: The usual president looks set to run again
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75836

African News Updates

ALERT BLOG NO.13

A selection of links to the latest from Africa!

[AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES]
SOUTHERN AFRICA: HIV-induced famine's impact on agriculture
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75067
Africa: Farmers need a financial umbrella says World Bank
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74967

[CONFLICT]
DRC: Displaced in North Kivu could face epidemics due to limited access
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74848
SOMALIA: Thousands more leave capital as troops converge
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75155
UGANDA: Rebels "ready to make peace" but want ICC charges dropped
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75123

[ECONOMY]
KENYA: Credit key to breaking cycle of poverty
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74830
RWANDA: Bridging the digital divide to reduce the dependence on aid
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75122

[EDUCATION]
WEST AFRICA: Groups call on governments to tackle violence against schoolgirls
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75695
SENEGAL: As fuel prices soar, oil lamps becoming a luxury product
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74934

[ENVIRONMENT]
GLOBAL: Climate change - heating up conflict
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75787
BURKINA FASO: Sanitation shambles
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75004

[HEALTH]
SOMALIA: Malnutrition increases as humanitarian emergency worsens in the Shabelles
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75099
SOUTH AFRICA: Hospital project attempts to revive Johannesburg inner city
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74623
SWAZILAND: Declare HIV/AIDS a "humanitarian emergency"
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75160
ZIMBABWE: HIV rate falls again
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75144

[NATURAL DISASTERS]
DRC-CONGO: Torrential rains overwhelm two capitals
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75078
CONGO: Heavy rains leave key rail link underwater
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75153
BURKINA FASO: UN needs $6 million for urgent post-flood recovery
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75043

[NGO/CSOs]
CHAD-SUDAN: NGOs work to clear their name after child ¡Ætrafficking¡Ç
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75064
WEST AFRICA: More funds needed to tackle drug use, NGOs say
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75164

[POLITICS]
SOUTH AFRICA: Government housing project excludes poorest of the poor
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75102
UGANDA: Government and rebels extend ceasefire
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75157

African News Updates

ALERT BLOG NO.12

A selection of links to the latest from Africa!


[AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES]
SOUTHERN AFRICA: Struggling with soaring cereal prices
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74758
GUINEA-BISSAU: Low cashew prices could spell hunger, UN warns
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74671

[CONFLICT]
SUDAN: Darfur attack "targeted women and children"
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74735
DRC: Thousands of refugees return home
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74641
COTE D'IVOIRE: UN ¡Èdeeply concerned¡É about failing peace effort
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74748

[ECONOMY]
AFRICA: First global Arms Trade Treaty would particularly benefit Africa, experts say
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74745

[EDUCATION]
ZIMBABWE: Schools close as hordes of teachers resign
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74698
WEST AFRICA: Flood damage pushes back school term for millions
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74456

[HEALTH]
LIBERIA: Post-conflict dilemma – should health care be free?
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74776
GLOBAL: MSF urges new approach to malnutrition treatment
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74737

[NATURAL DISASTERS]
UGANDA: Flooding in Uganda - can natural disasters be prevented?
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74765
SOMALIA: Living in fear of more floods
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74569
NIGER: Uranium - blessing or curse?
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74738

[POLITICS]
CHAD: Government, rebels reach peace deal
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74647

African News Updates

A selection of links to the latest from Africa!


[CONFLICT]
DRC: Violence hampering aid efforts in the east
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72884
NIGER: ICRC sends teams after armed group attacks army base
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72922

[ECONOMY]
ZIMBABWE: Local dollar an endangered species as currency crashes
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72913

[EDUCATION]
NIGER: UN says education sector ready for more donor attention
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72692

[ENVIRONMENT]
AFRICA: Climate caught in red tape
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72733

[HEALTH]
GLOBAL: Birthplace of a nutrition revolution - a blender in Malawi
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72897
TOGO: New bird flu outbreak confirmed
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72898
SUDAN: Juba's street children survive at risk of HIV
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72907

[NATURAL DISASTERS]
LESOTHO: Government should declare state of emergency, says UN official
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72848
SAHEL: Flood season starts but not where it should
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72869

[NGO/CSOs]
ZIMBABWE: Government and opposition leave civil society out of talks
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72865
SOMALIA: Government criticised over NGO raid
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72842

[POLITICS]
COTE D'IVOIRE: UN to stay and support elections
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72853
BURUNDI: Grappling with a looming political crisis
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72887

African News Updates

ALERT BLOG NO 11

[AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES]
ETHIOPIA: Tackling environmental challenges with trees
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72625
YEMEN: Warning of potentially worst locust infestation since 1993
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72698

[CONFLICT]
DRC: Conflict causes state of permanent displacement
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72700
SUDAN-UGANDA: Equatoria - reluctant host for the LRA
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72711

[ECONOMY]
EAST AFRICA: Increased spending pledged for social services and IDPs
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72744

[EDUCATION]
NIGER: UN says education sector ready for more donor attention
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72692
TANZANIA: Concern over school drop-out rate
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72628

[ENVIRONMENT]
AFRICA: Human cost will force countries to focus on climate change
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72687
BURUNDI: Shrinking lakes and denuded forests
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72543

[HEALTH]
SOUTH AFRICA: Strike action affects health services
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72719
ZAMBIA: AIDS drug recall creates panic
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72823

[NATURAL DISASTERS]
KENYA: Risk of disease as thousands hit by floods
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72660

[NGO/CSOs]
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Aid agencies suspend operations after killing
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72682
NIGER-NIGERIA: Nigeria¡Çs malnourished throng Niger¡Çs feeding centres
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72720

[POLITICS]
COMOROS: Government considers military option to resolve electoral crisis
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72715
COTE D'IVOIRE: New political climate favours pivotal identification process
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=72492

ICSW Regional Newsletter

This is taken from the ICSW Regional Newsletter, edited by Charles Abbey
- Regional President Central and West Africa


Civil Society Organisations reject Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)
Civil society organisations meeting in Accra, Ghana, during the 2007
Heads of State and Government Summit of the African Union have called on
African governments to reject the EPAs.

Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are due to be concluded in
December this year between Europe, the world's biggest trading power,
and the poor underdeveloped sub-regions of Africa, as well as the
Caribbean and the Pacific group of islands. EPAs will create Free Trade
Areas, giving full free entry to European goods, companies and
management and professional personal into West African and other African
sub-regional markets.

Thus the EPAs are the most important, immediate threat facing our
economies and our peoples. The EPAs threaten:
- Increased and intensified export of our economic and natural resource
wealth, and our skilled human resources
- Collapse of our agriculture, industries and services sector
- Disruption and worsening of our basic social services such as health,
water and education
- Destruction of the livelihoods of millions of our poorest and most
vulnerable populations
- Greater inequality in all aspects of our lives. Social groups that
already experience systematic discrimination – in particular Women -
will suffer the worst and the most.

"The EPAs (of Europe) will do to Africa what the African Growth and
Opportunities Act (AGOA) of the United States of America is doing to
Africa", remarked a civil society leader.