News From Africa - Press review

Liberia

Dire working and living conditions in Firestone rubber plantation exposed

Firestone Rubber operates one of the world's largest rubber plantations in Liberia. A report that is critical of working conditions, and the lack of educational opportunities for the children of Firestone's labourers, has been published by the Liberian NGO, Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU).

25 May 2005 - Save My Future Foundation

Interfaith relations

Pius Ncube dedicates Scottish peace award to Zimbabwe people

Upon receiving this year's Scottish Robert Burns International Humanitarian Award, Archbishop Pius Ncube dedicated it to the suffering people of his country, Zimbabwe, and urged Britain not to send exiles from his nation back to what he says is certain death.

24 May 2005 - Trevor Grundy

Gender

Teach a woman to fish.. and everyone eats. Why women are key to fighting global poverty

In a world that continues to shrink, how are women affected by trade agreements, shifting buying patterns, and changes in the availability of basic supplies?

19 May 2005 - Elizabeth Palmberg

Ecology

For Cameroon's pygmies, no forest is impenetrable enough

The traditional way of life of hunter-gatherers known as pygmies is threatened not only by the presence of loggers but by the failure to identify them as a part of the forest ecosystem.

17 May 2005 - Sylvestre Tetchiada

Ecology

Recurrent dry spells 'cause for concern' in southern Africa

The rising temperatures and recurrent dry spells in Southern Africa points to the impact of climate change and are "cause for concern", a senior scientist said.

14 May 2005 - Africafiles

Africa

Africa and the UN Security Council Permanent Seats

As the battle for permanent seats on a reformed United Nations Security Council heats up, the author treads the minefield of politics and internal dealings over the African contenders in the race. The battle ahead, he writes, is likely to be “long, nasty and brutal” and is sure to lead to increased tensions between African power brokers.

6 May 2005 - Dr Wafula Okumu

Kenya

The constitution as a promissory note

The people of Kenya should demand a constitution that recognizes
inequality and poverty, that is committed to the liberation of women,
that sees health and education as human rights, and that addresses land
redistribution.

3 May 2005 - Mukoma Ngugi

Africa

Mapping the path for democratisation of Africa

Can Africa's history of undemocratic and authoritarian states be overcome? Wafula Okumu says hard work and commitment lie ahead, but that there is cause for optimism.

22 April 2005 - Wafula Okumu

Rwanda

Genocide and the role of the Church in Rwanda

What exactly was the role of the Catholic Church in the Rwandan
genocide? NDAHIRO TOM, a Rwandan human rights commissioner, paints a picture of deep historical and political complicity and calls for the Church to restore its credibility by contributing to the process of justice.

16 April 2005 - Ndahiro Tom

Report card

Botswana a model for Africa?

The year 2016 features prominently in most Botswana programmes and education is no exception

13 April 2005 - Rodrick Mukumbira

Darfur, Sudan

Darfur - the failure to protect

Two years into the crisis in Darfur, the humanitarian, security and political situation is deteriorating. Atrocity crimes are continuing, people are still dying in large numbers of malnutrition and disease and a new famine is feared.

17 March 2005 - International Crisis Group

Economic Justice

KAIROS Analysis of Outcome of Feb. 4-5, 2005

Pleasant images are endlessly revolving in our heads because of the spin that has been so subtly applied to the debt cancellation theme. Many today believe that the recent memorandum of understanding recently promulgated on this theme after the G7 Finance ministers meeting was an agreement to effect the debt cancellation scheme on behalf of the poorest nations. A closer reading, conducted by Kairos and other interested parties, of the suggestions bandied about at the meeting shows that the real aim of even the most fervent promoters of the MDGs is, approximately, a ten year respite from debt armotization for the affected countries, NOT debt cancellation.

17 March 2005 - kairos

EDUCATION IN AFRICA:Colonialism and the Millennium Development Goals

Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker, can become the head of the mine, that the child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. Nelson Mandela

2 March 2005 - Hugh McCullum

Tanzania:

A century later, little has changed for most females

In some Tanzanian communities there are cultural practises that work against women's empowerment. The government recently announced that it is finalising a National Family Policy designed to address strategies to safeguard and promote the interests of households, including the protection of women's rights.

23 February 2005 - IRIN, Dar es Salaam

Africa

NEPAD IGNORES PRESS FREEDOM CONCERNS, SAY IFEX MEMBERS

The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), an African
initiative aimed at tackling poverty on the continent through better
governance, has been criticised by international organisations for ignoring
press freedom.

15 February 2005 - International Freedom of Expression eXchange