Congo-Kinshasa: Activists Slam World's 'Grotesque Indifference'
International lust for the enormous mineral and resource riches of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) abetted by international indifference has turned much of country into a colossal "rape mine" where more than 300,000 women and girls have been brutalised, say activists.
Mauritania: Security Forces Accused of Using Torture
Mauritanian security forces have until recently been extracting prisoner confessions through torture - including sleep deprivation, cigarette burns, suspension from a metal bar, electric shocks, sexual violence, physical blows and psychological abuse - according to Amnesty International.
Zimbabwe: Do Soldiers' Protests Herald Coup?
Zimbabwe is facing widespread protests by discontented soldiers feeling the heat of the country?s collapsing economy. Some analysts are forecasting that continuing army revolts and economic instability could force President Robert Mugabe to share power with the opposition, putting the country's shattered economy on the road to recovery. The rising groundswell of anger within the army over poor salaries and cash shortages poses a serious threat to Mugabe, who has traditionally relied on the loyalty of the army to keep the opposition in check. Dozens of soldiers have been taking to the streets of Harare since November 27, clashing with anti-riot and military police deployed in the city centre to counter the protests. There have been sporadic exchanges of gunfire in the capital as dissident soldiers and military police clash. Army protests hit a crescendo on December 1 when over 100 soldiers, dressed in full military fatigues, emerged from banking halls in the city centre empty-handed after cash had run out due to rationing. They first attacked the Market Square bus terminus in downtown Harare, which is notorious for illegal foreign currency dealings, assaulting foreign currency dealers and seizing cash from them to demand "our money". Then they swept across the city, looting and vandalising shops. The detachment of troops was from Cranborne Barracks and accused the street foreign currency dealers of consorting with the central bank to vandalise the economy. Zimbabwe's bankrupt central bank regularly raises foreign currency from the black market and relies on an informal network of street traders. The riots on December 1 were repulsed by the military police, resulting in the death of "two miscreants", according to the army. Security sources say Zimbabwe's army is seriously considering a curfew and has maintained a heavy deployment of military police in the city centre. "We need to take appropriate measures to counter their actions effectively," said a military spokesman. A pact signed by the military and Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono in November set up a scheme where soldiers could access cash weekly from army barracks. However, soldiers say the facility is being abused by top generals, who are making hefty withdrawals daily, leaving the rank-and-file in the army with nothing. Government regulations only permit withdrawals from banks of 500,000 Zimbabwe dollars a day, hardly enough for a single fare on public transport. Military experts are warning the riots are a precursor to mutiny, while pro-government analysts say the disturbances were just a simple case of indiscipline within the ranks. Army sources said the military courts are currently overwhelmed with cases related to indiscipline in the rank-and-file of the army as rebellious troops protest against mounting hardships. The troops on December 1 were also objecting to appalling conditions in the army barracks, where they complain of being forced to subsist on a diet of the staple sadza (a maize meal mush) and beans only. Dozens of anti-riot and military police have taken up positions around the city centre after fresh threats by labour leaders to march to the central bank to demand the complete removal of withdrawal limits, imposed to ration scarce cash supplies. Tensions are mounting as civilians supporting the soldiers' demands join the demonstrations; many hurled rocks at anti-riot and military police troops during the December 1 protests. The scene then was reminiscent of acts of civil disobedience in 1999 in Zimbabwe's capital sparked by food shortages that spread like wildfire through this impoverished nation of 11.8 million people. Zimbabwe, once a breadbasket of southern Africa, is now among the poorest countries in the region, and has been struggling to establish democracy since disputed elections held in March. The bloody rebellion of soldiers could lead to Mugabe?s ousting, warned Harare-based political commentator Ronald Shumba. "It?s a situation becoming rapidly explosive," he said. "This is a sign of a deep-seated problem in the army ? in Mugabe's regime, in fact." An official police spokesman tried to downplay the near mutiny, claiming it was a simple case of "theft and robbery". Some analysts said the protests herald the beginning of the end for Mugabe, 84, who is beginning to lose the support of powerful factions in his own party and the increasingly disaffected army, police and security forces. Mugabe, who has been in power for 28 years, has ruled with fear and patronage. But now a combination of an unprecedented economic collapse and growing opposition within his security forces and the ruling ZANU-PF party present the clearest threats to his rule. There is palpable anger in the police and army over low salaries and the fast-track promotions of ZANU-PF loyalists and veterans of the guerrilla war that ended white rule in 1980, according to a private in the army. "Morale in the army has hit rock bottom," he said. "Everyone is complaining about the increasing hardships. It would seem the majority are blaming President Mugabe himself for causing the hardships. ?They think it?s better for him to share power with the opposition to rescue the economy." He was unwilling to be identified for fear of reprisal.
Ethiopia: Children Threatened by Drought
Thousands of vulnerable civilians who left their homes in north-eastern Ethiopia in June because of drought are living in poor conditions in an urban area in Afar region, residents and local officials said on 24 November.
Ghana: Electoral Commission Pledges Neutrality
Mr. Steven Opoku-Mensah, Western Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC) said the Commission will not hesitate to dismiss any polling assistant found to have taken sides with any political party.
Nigeria: Climate Change May Sink Lagos
A substantial part of the highbrow area of Lagos State may go under in the next fifty years if the predictions of experts in oceanography are anything to go by.
Central African Republic: Govt to Call Multi-Party Talks
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the decision by the Central African Republic (CAR) to hold an inclusive political dialogue shortly, but cautioned that the country continues to face political, security and socio-economic challenges.
Somalia: PM Seeks Parliament Approval for Power-Sharing, Cabinet
Somalia's interim Prime Minister, Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein, flew from the national capital Mogadishu on Wednesday en route to Baidoa, where the country's parliament is based.
Zimbabwe: Over 70 Peaceful Protesters Arrested Countrywide
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) said about 70 protesters, including civic and labour leaders, were arrested countrywide on Wednesday as repressive tactics by the Mugabe regime escalated. Several protesters were severely assaulted by the increasingly militant police.
Zimbabwe: Tsvangirai Asks African Union to Take Over Mediation
MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai has said the African Union should take over mediation of the country's power-sharing process from the Southern African Development Community, saying it has failed as an impartial regional deal-broker.
Ghana: Poll Predicts Ruling Party to Win First Round
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) have swiftly reacted to a nationwide survey conducted by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), which predicted a first round win for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Africa: Security Council Must Act If Arrest Warrant is Issued for Leader - Prosecutor
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) today called for concerted action by the Security Council to enforce any arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for allegedly committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur if the judges issue one.
Africa: Avoiding Another Food Price Bubble
In another 12 years, 16 million more children could be malnourished at a time when even fewer people will be able to afford staple cereals like maize, rice and wheat, which would cost between 13 percent and 27 percent more. This is the bleak scenario of a world in recessionary mode, with declining investment in food production, painted by a food policy think-tank.
Mauritania: 'Chains Are Jewellery for Men'
Mauritania's security forces are again accused of routine and systematic torture of political opponents and Islamists accused of links with international terrorist groups. A report released by Amnesty International today details cruel violations of human rights, poor prison conditions and a judicial system that offers little protection.
Zimbabwe: Cholera Spreads to Limpopo River
The Limpopo River, which delineates the border between Zimbabwe and South Africa before flowing through Mozambique into the Indian Ocean, has tested positive for cholera, according to local media reports.
Sudan: Civilian Disarmament Remains Elusive As Government Rethinks Process
Efforts by Southern Sudanese states to forcefully collect arms from civilians have been poorly planned, leading to violence, deaths and increased insecurity in some areas, sources said.
Somalia: Clashes Erupt Around Presidential Palace
At least four people died and one was injured when clashes erupted between Somali government soldiers around the presidential palace on Wednesday, witnesses said.
Somalia: Puntland Women Demand More Say in Govt
Women in the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, north-eastern Somalia, are calling for greater representation in the region's parliament in the upcoming elections to reflect their role in society.
Congo-Brazzaville: Govt Fails to Curb Food Inflation
Government measures aimed at reducing the cost of staple commodities in the Republic of Congo, where salaries have remained unchanged for years, have failed to stem food inflation. Many people have been forced to change their diets, which has had an adverse impact on health.
Nigeria: Aid Agencies Struggle After Jos Carnage
Aid workers say they are struggling to cope with the fallout of violent clashes between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria's central city of Jos, in Plateau state, which killed and wounded hundreds of people and displaced some 10,000.
Sierra Leone: UN to Help Boost Jobs for Youths
Four United Nations agencies will soon launch a project to support youth employment in the Mano River Union (MRU), which includes Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia.
Africa: European Bank Finances Destruction, Says Activist
The European Union is financing ecologically and socially destructive projects in Africa, a Brussels conference has been told.
Central African Republic: Political Dialogue Set to Begin
Key political actors in the Central African Republic were set to begin a long-awaited inclusive political dialogue this Friday, to pave the way for national reconciliation and stabilization, the United Nations leading envoy to that conflict-ridden nation told the Security Council this afternoon.
Nigeria: Teething Mixture Claims Many Childrens' Lives
The end to the protracted killer- teething mixture saga may not be in sight as many other pharmaceutical manufacturing companies have been found culpable in the purchase and use of the contaminated chemical used in the production of 'My Pikin' Teething Mixture which has continued to claim the lives of many Nigerian children.
Nigeria: Sierra Leone War Victims May Get Payouts
Victims of atrocities committed by former Liberian President, Charles Taylor may receive compensation if the former warlord is convicted.
Nigeria: State Evacuates 3,000 After Jos Violence
AS more corpses of victims of the disturbances in Jos, the Plateau State capital, were recovered yesterday, the Benue State government seems to have taken the bull by the horn in a determination to protect its people by ordering the evacuation of 3,000 of its natives resident in the crisis-ridden city.
South Africa: No Pirates Allowed Here, Says Navy Chief
South Africans need not fear about piracy incidents off the country's coast, says Chief of the Navy Johannes Admiral Mudimu.
South Africa: Cholera in Zimbabwe Border River
Tests have confirmed that the eastern parts of the Limpopo River have been contaminated with Cholera bacteria.
Liberia: Jail Break Stalls Murder Trial
The jail break which led to the illegal liberation of massive inmates from the Liberia Central Prison in Monrovia on Monday 1st December, 2008 has apparently paused most of the proceedings at the Temple of Justice.
Zambia: Give Pay Raise to Charity, MPs Told
ZAMBIA Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president, Leonard Hikaumba has challenged members of Parliament (MPs) opposed to the 15 per cent pay rise for constitutional office holders to donate the money to charity.
