Weekly anb09136.txt #6

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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 13-09-2001      PART #6/6

* Uganda. Trouble in the north-east  -  Disarmament of the Karimojong in 
north-east Uganda has been delayed, resulting in a security crisis in a 
region which already has 80,000 displaced persons. Since the beginning of 
2001, the Karimojong have made 52 raids in the district. Parliament has 
asked the government to explain why the disarmament programme has been 
delayed. In June 2000, Parliament legislated for the disarmament of the 
Karimojong who are estimated to have 180,000 rifles, and the disarmament 
programme could have begun in August 2000. But so far, nothing has 
happened. The army is heavily deployed in the north-east. Military sources 
say that nearly six army battalions have been deployed along with 2,600 
paramilitary personnel. Some of the units have just returned from Congo 
RDC. Peter Lokeris, the Minister in charge of Karamoja's development, 
recently told Parliament that some troops are deployed along the 
Uganda/Sudan border, whilst others are deployed along district boundaries 
separating the Karamoja region and other eastern Ugandan districts. The 
Swiss-based UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs 
(UNOCHA) which is worried about the domestic and regional implications of 
the delayed disarmament programme, says the government's tight budget has 
left little room for manoeuvre. UNOCHA says the government is under 
pressure from western powers and the Bretton Woods institutions to cut down 
on defence spending -- and this at a time when Uganda's internal conflicts 
are increasing. Reports indicate that are that there are five rebel groups 
active in the country. (Editor's note: On 10 September, MISNA reported that 
clearer reports are emerging regarding the reinforcement of Ugandan 
soldiers in the south-western district. Local press sources refer to some 
5,000 soldiers deployed in the Kyambura Game Reserve.)   (Crespo Sebunya, 
ANB-BIA, Uganda, 4 September 2001)

* Ouganda. Conférence des Grands Lacs sur le sida  -  La première 
conférence des Grands Lacs sur le sida se déroule du 6 au 9 septembre dans 
la ville ougandaise d'Entebbe, et réunit des représentants venus de 20 pays 
africains. La conférence a pour objectif d'identifier et d'évaluer les 
insuffisances en matière de ressources pour essayer d'améliorer les soins 
aux personnes atteintes du VIH/SIDA dans la région des Grands Lacs. Elle a 
été organisée à l'initiative de la Healthcare Foundation pour le sida. Son 
président Michael Meinstein a indiqué que l'Ouganda avait montré qu'une 
réduction significative et durable de l'infection du virus était possible 
grâce à une information ciblée et efficace de la société, à une large 
disponibilité des préservatifs et à une forte volonté politique.   (IRIN, 
Nairobi, 6 septembre 2001)

* Uganda. Idi Amin builds house in Uganda  -  Former dictator Idi Amin, who 
has lived in exile in Saudi Arabia since his 1979 downfall, is building a 
house in his home village in Uganda for some of his 48 children, the Sunday 
Vision newspaper reported on 9 September. "He is encouraging his children 
to come back to Uganda to learn their roots," the government-owned 
newspaper quoted a source in Amin's family as saying. There was no 
suggestion in the story that Amin, now in his mid-70s, was planning to 
return home but it added that he wanted to make unspecified investments in 
Uganda. "He would have wanted to come home, but he is glad his children can 
be comfortable here," the source was quoted as saying. The newspaper 
printed a photograph of a large bungalow in the northwest town of Arua that 
it said would serve as a guest wing to the main house, which had yet to be 
completed. Although Amin is in effect banned, his relatives are free to 
come and go from Uganda and several of his children live and work in the 
country. Many Ugandans believe Amin would be tried for crimes committed 
under his despotic 1971-79 rule if he sought to return. "He intends to 
reassemble his clan so that they do not have to drift to all corners of the 
world," the newspaper said. It added in an editorial: "For all his crimes 
against the people of Uganda, Idi Amin, who has not been home for 22 years, 
is also convinced that the country is safe and everybody's property and 
investment, even his, is safe."   (CNN, USA, 9 September 2001)

* Uganda. Opposition leader's wife arrested  -  11 September: An opposition 
parliamentarian has been arrested in Uganda just two weeks after her 
husband fled the country. Winnie Byanyima is married to Kizza Besigye who 
stood against President Yoweri Museveni in March this year. Last month Mr 
Besigye disappeared before resurfacing in the US, saying he felt his life 
was in danger. Mrs Byanyima was first arrested because she acted as 
guarantor for a political colleague who has now also gone missing. But now 
police say she will be charged for possession of an unlicensed weapon which 
was allegedly found at her home. Mrs Byanyima, elected MP for Mbarara 
Municipality in western Uganda, guaranteed police bail for Deus 
Bainomugisha, a former campaigner for her husband. Mr Bainomugisha was 
arrested on 2 September with possessing "dangerous information" but his 
present whereabouts are not known. Reuters news agency reports that he was 
suspected of being involved with rebel groups fighting Mr Museveni's 
government. Reuters says that he may now be in Rwanda. 12 September: Winnie 
Byanyima has been charged with two counts of possessing an unlicensed 
firearm and has been released on bail.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 13 September 2001)

* Zambie. Le parti au pouvoir perd des sièges  -  Le peuple zambien 
s'éloigne de plus en plus du parti au pouvoir, le Mouvement pour la 
démocratie multipartite (MMD), au profit de l'opposition, estiment les 
politologues analysant les résultats des dernières élections législatives 
organisées dans le pays. La popularité du MMD a été ternie par les cas de 
corruption au sein du gouvernement. En deux tours d'élections organisés 
cette semaine, le parti nouvellement formé, le Forum pour la démocratie et 
le développement (FDD), a ravi la vedette dans le département de Kabwata à 
Lusaka. Il a également pris le contrôle d'un siège au niveau d'Isoka East 
dans la province du Nord. Le FDD est principalement composé d'anciens 
ministres qui s'étaient opposés à la tentative du président Chiluba de 
briguer un nouveau mandat, contraire à la Constitution.   (PANA, Sénégal, 8 
septembre 2001)

* Zambia. Crucial by-elections in Zambia  -  6 September: Parliamentary 
by-elections are taking place in two Zambian constituencies. They are being 
seen as a crucial test of the popularity of political parties before 
presidential and general elections due within weeks. Most opposition 
parties are boycotting the polls, saying they are too close to the 
forthcoming national elections. But the newly-formed opposition Forum for 
Democracy and Development, created by disgruntled former ministers, said it 
would win the two seats. Zambian radio reported that President Chiluba had 
urged voters to support his ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy if 
they wanted their areas developed. 7 September: Opposition parties win both 
by-elections. The Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD), which was 
formed by former ministers of the ruling MDD, took one seat, in Lusaka, 
while the United National Independence Party (UNIP) won the second, in the 
north.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 8 September 2001)

* Zambie. Crainte d'un regain de violence  -  La situation politique en 
Zambie semble instable à la suite d'assassinats et de nouveaux attentats 
contre des figures de l'opposition, au moment où le pays se prépare pour 
des élections législatives et présidentielles prévues à la fin de cette 
année. Paul Tembo, un leader très en vue du FDD, a été abattu en juillet. 
Lundi dernier, le président du Parti uni national pour l'indépendance 
(UNIP), Tilyenji Kaunda, a survécu à ce qui semble être une tentative 
d'assassinat. Le vice-président du FDD a affirmé, le 9 septembre, qu'un 
groupe de sept personnes, dirigé par un haut responsable des services de 
renseignement zambiens, avait été formé pour tuer une responsable du FDD, 
Edith Nawakwi. Cependant, le porte-parole de la police a déclaré n'avoir 
reçu aucune plainte de membres de l'opposition concernant des menaces 
contre leur vie.   (PANA, Sénégal, 11 septembre 2001)

* Zimbabwe. Destruction of the environment  -  Taking advantage of the 
prevailing anarchy in the country, some unemployed people are finding 
solace in the destruction of the environment. Following the illegal 
occupation of commercial farms, wood fuel is fast becoming a lucrative 
business for thousands of unemployed Zimbabweans. Life in general is 
economically and politically tough for ordinary citizens. Most urban 
dwellers use electricity, paraffin or firewood for cooking and warming but 
all these commodities are out of reach for many because of either high 
prices or unavailability. Due to a critical shortage of foreign currency, 
the country cannot maintain a regular supply of electricity. The demand for 
electricity is growing and a considerable amount of the commodity is 
imported. Under normal circumstances, the substitute for electricity is 
paraffin but because of the fuel crisis in Zimbabwe, many urban and rural 
folk cannot afford to buy the liquid following widespread corruption in the 
government-run fuel industry. Sandwiched between economic and political 
instability, thousands of hitherto law abiding citizens have joined the 
fray by cutting down trees for domestic consumption or sale. The once-thick 
forests in conservation areas and catchment sites are nearing depletion in 
both urban and rural areas. Local and central government authorities have 
stopped enforcing bye-laws that govern illegal cultivation and 
indiscriminate felling of trees. As a result, it is the survival of the 
fittest and the number of firewood vendors continues to increase with no 
solution in sight.   (Stan Dongo, ANB-BIA, Zimbabwe, 4 September 2001)

* Zimbabwe. Fin de la guerre des terres?  -  Après une journée de 
négociations organisées, le 6 septembre à Abuja, sous l'égide du 
Commonwealth, le Zimbabwe a accepté de s'engager à mettre un terme aux 
occupations illégales de fermes appartenant à des Blancs, et à prendre des 
mesures pour faire cesser les violences politiques. De son côté, la 
Grande-Bretagne contribuera, avec d'autres pays, au financement d'un fonds 
d'indemnisation géré par une agence des Nations unies (le PNUD) au profit 
des exploitants blancs dont les propriétés seront distribuées à des Noirs 
sans terre. L'accord devait toutefois encore être soumis pour approbation 
au président du Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, et au Premier ministre 
britannique, Tony Blair. Mais le 7 septembre, Joseph Chinotimba, le leader 
des anciens combattants qui mènent depuis 18 mois l'occupation des terres, 
a déclaré qu'il n'avait aucunement l'intention d'évacuer les fermes. Le 
président Mugabe, en voyage en Libye, n'a pas encore précisé ses 
intentions. Dans les rangs des fermiers blancs et de l'opposition, le 
scepticisme était de mise. Toutefois, le dimanche 9 septembre, le président 
Mugabe a accepté l'accord d'Abuja et a déclaré qu'il considérait la 
Grande-Bretagne "comme un partenaire". Mais alors que Mugabe condamnait les 
violences commises "par des Noirs et des Blancs", des dizaines de personnes 
ont occupé ce week-end deux fermes appartenant à des Blancs. Le 10 
septembre, un sommet a réuni à Harare cinq chefs d'Etat d'Afrique australe 
autour du président Mugabe. Après avoir exprimé leur solidarité envers leur 
hôte, ils ont averti le président zimbabwéen de l'impact négatif qu'un 
processus violent de saisie des terres pourrait avoir sur les économies 
régionales. Le lendemain, à l'issue du sommet, le président du Malawi a 
affirmé que le président Mugabe s'était engagé à vérifier que la violence 
et les intimidations cessent sur les fermes des Blancs occupées. Mais les 
anciens combattants ont réaffirmé leur volonté de résister à la pression 
internationale visant à obliger M. Mugabe à abandonner son programme de 
réforme agraire.   (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 13 septembre 2001)

* Zimbabwe. Land reform breakthrough  -  6 September: The government in 
Zimbabwe has agreed to take sweeping measures to curb the occupation of 
white-owned farms and violence against farmers and their workers. Zimbabwe 
agrees: No further occupations of white-owned farms To restore the rule of 
law to the process of land reform To the principle of freedom of expression 
To take firm action against violence and intimidation A statement released 
after a Commonwealth foreign ministers meeting in the Nigerian capital, 
Abuja, announced that in return, Zimbabwe would receive funding for its 
land redistribution programme. The statement said that President Robert 
Mugabe's government agreed to observe the rule of law when redistributing 
land from white farmers to landless black Zimbabweans. The Nigerian foreign 
minister hailed the agreement as a "breakthrough", but UK Foreign Secretary 
Jack Straw said: "Ultimately, whether it represents real progress will 
depend on events on the ground and that can only be judged in the future." 
Zimbabwe has also agreed to allow close monitoring of the human rights 
situation in the country, and of its presidential election, due for next 
year. In addition, it said it would safeguard freedom of expression and the 
press. Zimbabwe has expelled a number of foreign correspondents, and local 
journalists have complained of intimidation. Nigerian President Olusegun 
Obasanjo is expected to issue the conference communique formally on 7 
September. 7 September: The Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) welcomes the 
agreement, saying it could restore peace and justice in Zimbabwe. 
Commonwealth secretary-general Don McKinnon also welcomes the deal in 
principle, but warns: "It is a matter now of ensuring implementation of the 
deal and that means a greater grip on the rule of law." -- Amnesty 
International says an upcoming by-election, due on 22-23 September in the 
Chikomba constituency in the Mashonaland East province, will be the first 
true test of the willingness of the government to abide by the Abuja 
agreement. 8 September: Militants have invaded a white-owned farmers and 
burned workers' homes. 9 September: The opposition Movement for Democratic 
Change (MDC) accuses ZANU-PF of cheating in Bulawayo's mayoral election. 
The MDC says it has proof that ZANU-PF had taken 17 busloads of supporters 
to Bulawayo to vote illegally. 10 September: The Presidents of Angola, 
Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa join President 
Mugabe in Harare, today, for two days of talks to discuss the land crisis. 
They warn President Mugabe that he must bring Zimbabwe's land crisis 
swiftly under control. They will also hold talks with farmers, war veterans 
and opposition parties. MISNA reports that President Mugabe has approved 
the international accord on the land reform issue. 11 September: 
Representatives of the war veterans have told the regional leaders that 
they do not feel bound by the Commonwealth-brokered agreement. 12 
September: Regional leaders say they will establish a special ministerial 
task force to monitor Zimbabwe's commitment to stop the violence and 
intimidation of white farmers.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 13 September 2001)

Weekly end of file anb09136.txt on 6
THE END

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Un homme meurt chaque fois que l'un d'entre nous se tait devant la tyrannie 
(W. Soyinka, Prix Nobel litterature) - Everytime somebody keep silent when 
faced with tyranny, someone else dies (Wole Syinka, Nobel Prize for 
Literature) *
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