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Weekly ANB1023_06.txt #7

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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 23-10-2003      PART #6/7
* South Africa. Spy probe causes ANC split - 15 October: South Africa launches an official hearing, investigating charges of spying and abuse of power by top figures in the ruling African National Congress (ANC). Just months before general elections, allegations are swirling around close colleagues of President Thabo Mbeki. They spring from a probe over reports that Deputy President Jacob Zuma asked a French arms company for a bribe as part of a multibillion-dollar arms deal, which triggered one of the most damaging scandals since the ANC swept to power in post-apartheid elections in 1994. "It's tearing the party asunder", says Xolela Mangcu, political analyst and director of the Steve Biko Foundation. He says the arms deal, dogged by corruption claims, has heightened a power struggle in the ANC. The party, which under Nelson Mandela led the fight against white rule, is expected to retain power easily. But its credibility has suffered from the string of corruption cases. The inquiry touches on a range of thorny and emotive issues from press freedom to collaboration with the apartheid regime. It focuses on claims that Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka spied for the apartheid government in the 1980s -- claims that surfaced as Ngcuka's FBI-style Scorpions unit investigated the corruption allegations against Zuma. 21 October: The investigation into Bulelani Ngcuka is rocked when a human rights lawyer confesses that she was the agent at the centre of the inquiry. It was reported that Mr Ngcuka had operated as agent RS 452. But lawyer Vanessa Brereton admits that she was undercover agent RS 452. Ms Brereton, now living in London, contacted investigators with the information, saying she no longer wants to live with any deceit. Ms Brereton, who was well known for defending anti-apartheid activists in court, says she was recruited by the former regime's security police to inform on suspected "communist sympathizers" during the 1980s. She says she provided information about whites involved in the anti-apartheid movement. From 1985 until 1991, she told security police about the activities, meeting places and residences of people involved in the anti-apartheid movement. She says she ha been assured that her information would not lead to any brutal acts. But Ms Brereton said she became worried in 1989 when a car bomb, detonated by one of her police superiors, killed four black men. She later moved to England and did not even tell her husband or family of her double life. "We were very surprised that she came forward, but we are very glad that she did," said commission secretary John Bacon. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 21 October 2003)
* South Africa. Mandela's 46664 concert - 21 October: Beyonce, Queen and Bono from U2 are to headline a huge concert in Cape Town, South Africa, to raise awareness of Africa's Aids plight. They will be joined by artists such as Anastacia, Ms Dynamite and a host of African acts for the show, which will take place on 29 November. A CD and DVD will be released early in the new year in aid of the campaign. The initiative, called 46664 and spearheaded by Nelson Mandela, is launched in London today. The five digits 46664 represented Mr Mandela's prison number for more than 18 years while he was kept prisoner in South Africa's Robben Island jail. "Millions of people today infected with Aids are just that -- a number," he said. "They too are serving a prison sentence for life. That's why for the first time I am allowing my prison number...to brand this campaign. A tragedy of unprecedented proportions is unfolding in Africa. Aids today in Africa is claiming more lives than the sum total of all wars, famines and floods, and the ravages of such deadly diseases as malaria. We must act now for the sake of the world. Aids is no longer a disease, it is a human rights issue." -- A new analysis of the Aids epidemic in South Africa suggests that fewer people are becoming infected with HIV than in previous years. The research also predicts that the total number of HIV-positive people in South Africa will remain constant for the foreseeable future. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 21 October 2003)
* South Africa. Controversy over new AIDS projections - AIDS experts have raised doubts about a new study suggesting South Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic peaked in 2002 and was expected to level off as fewer new infections were reported. The study, published in the recent issue of the African Journal of AIDS Research, said that the epidemic in South Africa peaked last year with about 4.69 million people living with HIV/AIDS and had started to level off. It also noted that HIV incidence rates in the 15 to 49 age group had decreased "substantially" from 4.2 percent in 1997 to 1.7 percent in 2003. These projections were based on a new statistical model developed by Dr Olive Shisana, executive director of HIV/AIDS research at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and Thomas Rehle, an independent consultant in international health and disease control. The study used data from the Department of Health's national antenatal HIV prevalence survey and the 2002 Nelson Mandela/HSRC Study of HIV/AIDS. (IRIN, Kenya, 22 October 2003)
* Soudan. Attaques de milices islamiques au Darfour - Une centaine de personnes tuées et 15 blessées, tel est le bilan d'une série d'attaques lancées durant le week-end (18-19 octobre) par des milices tribales islamiques dans la région du Darfour, selon le quotidien El-Ayam, citant un député de la région. Les miliciens ont mis à feu et à sang une quinzaine de petits centres, contraignant à la fuite au moins 15.000 personnes. Des témoignages parlent d'une nouvelle vague de violence dans la région. Les rebelles de l'Armée/Mouvement de libération (SLA/M) du Darfour ont accusé le gouvernement soudanais d'avoir violé le cessez-le-feu "plus de 47 fois" au cours de ces 45 derniers jours, provoquant quelque 200 morts. "De nombreux indices font penser que ces milices tribales islamiques ne sont rien d'autre que des mouvements paramilitaires liés au gouvernement, qui est ainsi libre de continuer à lutter contre les rebelles malgré la signature de la trêve et les négociations en cours", a expliqué une source diplomatique occidentale. (Misna, Italie, 21 octobre 2003)
* Sudan. New series of peace talks - 16 October: The Sudanese Vice-President, Ali Osman Taha, arrives in Nairobi to attend peace talks in Kenya with rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). He says: "We are glad that we are once again in Nairobi to resume negotiations which we hope are the last". The Sudanese Vice-President specifies that Khartoum is determined to entirely resolve pending issues during this new phase of talks. John Garang, the SPLA's leader says: "We have come, as we did last time, with the same level of openness, commitment, determination and purpose to move on with the remaining issues so that we are able to reach a peace settlement". 21 October 21: US Secretary of State Colin Powell turns his attention to the conflict in Sudan, one of the priorities he set when he took office early in 2001. Sensing a possible success for US diplomacy, Powell is flying from Bangkok to Nairobi to meet representatives of the Sudanese government and southern rebels, who are deep in peace talks in the Kenyan town of Naivasha. US officials have played down expectations he can pull off a final agreement when he sees the negotiators on 22 November but they say they hope he can speed up the talks so that they come to fruition within weeks. Colin Powell says: "I am here to keep the momentum going on these talks. There's a lot of work ahead, but frankly we're getting close. Now that we've come this far, let's finish it, let's kick it in, let's throw it into high gear. Let's not miss this opportunity". 22 October: After meeting representatives of both sides in the civil war, Colin Powell says that they have committed themselves to signing a peace deal to end the civil war by the end of the year. Mr Powell says that they will be invited to the White House by President Bush for a signing ceremony once a comprehensive agreement is completed. Mr Powell says it is essential to move forward to an agreement to end the suffering of the Sudanese people". (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 22 October 2003)
* Soudan. Powell en médiateur - Le secrétaire d'Etat américain, Colin Powell, est attendu ce 22 octobre à Naivasha, au Kenya, alors que les pourparlers de paix intersoudanais sont entrés dans une phase décisive. Il doit rencontrer séparément le vice-président Ali Osmane Taha et le chef de la rébellion sudiste, John Garang. Les deux parties butent encore sur trois contentieux: le partage du pouvoir, celui des richesses, notamment de la rente pétrolière, et le statut de trois régions disputées. M. Powell a promis au régime de Khartoum, accusé dans le passé de soutien au terrorisme, une aide conséquente en échange d'un accord. - S'exprimant devant des journalistes à bord de l'avion qui l'emmenait au Kenya, le 21 octobre, Colin Powell a souhaité insuffler de l'"énergie" dans les pourparlers de paix au Soudan, en promettant un réexamen des sanctions américaines contre le pays africain si un accord définitif était trouvé par le gouvernement et les rebelles. Rappelons que depuis 1997 les Américains imposent un embargo sur la majeure partie des activités commerciales avec le Soudan et ont gelé les avoirs soudanais, accusant Khartoum de soutenir le terrorisme, de commettre des violations des droits de l'homme et des libertés religieuses. (Libération, France, et AP, 22 octobre 2003)
* Swaziland. Parliamentary elections - 18 October: Parliamentary elections are taking place in the tiny kingdom of Swaziland, with 55 seats at stake. Some opposition groups are urging a boycott of the poll, saying it will be meaningless in a country where political parties are banned and the legislature can only advise King Mswati III. However supporters of the king say the parliamentary vote, which takes place every five years, is a step in the right direction. Several members of outlawed parties are contesting seats as independent candidates, including former prime minister Obed Dlamini. The king, who has ignored court rulings in the past, says that political differences are better resolved through negotiation. A number of organisations, including the Commonwealth, have sent teams to observe the election. 19 October: Counting is under way in that parliamentary elections. Opposition groups believe the poll is meaningless in a country where political parties are banned, and the legislature can only advise King Mswati III. The king's supporters say the parliamentary vote is a step in the right direction. Several members of outlawed parties contested seats as independent candidates, including former Prime Minister Obed Dlamini. The king, who has ignored court rulings in the past, says political differences are better resolved through negotiation. Swaziland is also discussing a controversial new constitution which is likely to maintain the king's position as monarch. 21 October: IRIN reports that results from 48 of the 55 constituencies are now known. There is an increase in the number of women Members of Parliament (MP)s. The King will appoint 10 MPs next month who will join the 55 elected MPs in selecting 10 members from the general public to serve in the House of Senate. A majority of the 30-member Senate, however, will be filled by the King's personal appointees. He will also appoint a prime minister and fill his cabinet as he chooses, with most ministers drawn from among the MPs. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 21 October 2003)
* Chad. Face to face with those he tormented - Souleymane Guengueng was a lowly government employee when he was picked up by Chad's political police in August 1988 and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Wrongfully accused of working for the opposition fighting to overthrow President Hissène Habré, he was released two and a half years later when the dictator fled into exile. His family had given up hope of seeing him again. Now the tables have turned, and soon Hissène Habré -- darling of the Americans and the French during his bloody eight-year rule -- will be facing charges of crimes against humanity and torture. Mr Guengueng and his group, representing 792 victims of the Habré-era atrocities and their surviving relatives, are the accusers. A Belgian investigating magistrate is expected to formally indict the former Chadian leader in a landmark case which will show African dictators they should no longer assume they can commit human rights abuses with impunity. It has been an emotional journey for Mr Guengueng, supported by Human Rights Watch, in his long quest for justice against the man known as the "African Pinochet". After a Chadian Truth Commission accused Habré's regime of 40,000 political murders and systematic torture, the exiled president was placed under house arrest in Senegal three years ago. For a time it looked as though he would be judged there. Mr Guengueng, armed with documents he kept hidden under his house, testified in secret. But the process was halted when the Senegalese courts ruled in 2001 that he could not be tried in the country as his alleged crimes had not been committed there. Mr Guengueng and Human Rights Watch still had another card to play. During the case in Senegal they had sought Habré's extradition to Belgium under its "universal jurisdiction" law. The legislation meant that perpetrators of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity could be tried no matter where the crime was committed, and regardless of their nationality. Belgium repealed its controversial law in July, under US pressure. But because three of the Chadian victims have Belgian nationality, and the investigation by the Belgian magistrate Daniel Fransen had already begun in Chad, Mr Guengueng's case will go ahead. (Independent, UK, 17 October 2003)
* Tchad. Radio <MSB>FM-Liberté fermée pour comportement "déviant" - La radio associative FM-Liberté a été fermée le 21 octobre 2003, et pour une durée indéterminée, par le ministère tchadien de la Sécurité publique pour "fonctionnement illégal et comportement déviant". Cette décision fait suite à la diffusion d'une chronique très critique envers le président Idriss Deby. "L'évolution de la liberté d'expression au Tchad était plutôt positive depuis quelques années. Malheureusement, nous sommes forcés de constater que certains sujets restent tabous, surtout lorsqu'il s'agit du président et de son entourage. Déjà, au printemps 2003, deux journalistes avaient passé deux mois en prison après s'en être pris à la belle-mère du chef de l'Etat", a déclaré Robert Ménard, secrétaire général de Reporters sans frontières. qui a protesté contre cette mesure. "Ce n'est pas la première fois que les autorités du pays s'en prennent à FM-Liberté, connue pour être proche des organisations de défense des droits de l'homme", a-t-il ajouté. FM-Liberté avait récemment comparé le président Deby à Hissène Habré, l'ancien dictateur tchadien (1982-1990), et l'accusait d'avoir "apporté des prédateurs, des fossoyeurs de l'économie et des tueurs à gage qui ont le droit de vie et de mort sur les autres citoyens". (RSF, France, 22 octobre 2003)
* Tunisie. Radhia Nasraoui en grève de la faim - La Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH) et l'Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT), dans le cadre de leur programme conjoint, l'Observatoire pour la protection des droits de l'homme, expriment leur vive préoccupation au regard de la situation de Me Radhia Nasraoui, avocate au Barreau de Tunis, qui a entamé une grève de la faim le 13 octobre 2003, afin de protester contre les entraves systématiques qu'elle subit dans l'exercice de sa profession d'avocate et du harcèlement constant dont elle, sa famille et ses clients sont l'objet. Me Radhia Nasraoui est la cible depuis de nombreuses années d'actes de harcèlement en raison de son activité en tant qu'avocate de prisonniers politiques et en tant que défenseur des droits de l'homme. Le 13 octobre, lors d'une conférence de presse, Radhia Nasraoui a expliqué que le harcèlement dont elle fait l'objet ainsi que ses filles, sa soeur et ses frères a pris un caractère systématique et une dimension de plus en plus pernicieuse. Sa maison est constamment surveillée par la police, sa ligne téléphonique est sur écoute, son courrier est intercepté et le 13 juillet 2003 Nadhia Nasraoui a notamment été physiquement agressée par des membres de la police politique. De même, ses clients font l'objet de très fortes pressions visant à les dissuader d'avoir recours à son conseil. L'Observatoire souligne que ces faits s'inscrivent dans un cadre général de persécution et de harcèlement de toute personne osant dénoncer les violations des droits de l'homme en Tunisie et émettre un avis critique à l'encontre du pouvoir. (D'après News Press, France, 21 octobre 2003) 

Weekly anb1023.txt - #6/7