Weekly anb01231.txt #7

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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 23-01-2003      PART #1/7

* Africa. NEPAD  -  This time last year, African leaders were unveiling a 
wide-ranging plan to Western governments. NEPAD -- the New Partnership for 
African Development -- was presented as an African solution to Africa's 
problems, and was initially given a warm reception by governments of the 
G8. At its heart is the idea that Africa will improve standards of 
leadership, and in return the West will provide Africa with better terms of 
trade, more aid, and debt relief. But Nepad's initial momentum has gone. 
There are at least four reasons for this. 1. When South Africa's President 
Thabo Mbeki, who has played a crucial role in NAPAD's formation, and other 
African leaders went to last year's G8 summit in Canada, they didn't get 
the financial backing they had hoped for. This made NEPAD harder to sell at 
the subsequent African Union summit, particularly to leaders, worried by 
the prospect of more interference in their domestic affairs. 2. Zimbabwe is 
driving a wedge between Africa and the West. For the West, Zimbabwe is an 
obvious example of bad governance and NEPAD's first big challenge. But 
African governments do not isolate President Robert Mugabe, they support 
him, in the face of, what they call, racist and disproportionate Western 
pressure. 3. Late last year, the South African Government was involved in a 
confusing debate about what NEPAD stands for. A minister said peer review, 
the mechanism by which African governments monitor each other, would 
concentrate on the economy, not governance. This sounded like Africa rowing 
back on commitments. 4. Terrorism, and a possible war with Iraq, have 
absorbed Western attention and resources, and forced Africa back to the 
margins of world affairs. Last month, President Bush cancelled what would 
have been his first trip in office to Africa, so that he could concentrate 
on Iraq. At the beginning of 2003, NEPAD has a web-site, and the beginnings 
of a functioning secretariat, but its usefulness is still unproven.   (BBC 
News, UK, 16 January 2003)

* Africa. Bush makes Africa trade pledge  -  16 January: President George 
W. Bush promises to ask the US Congress to extend the lifetime of 
legislation granting tariff-free trade to African countries. He makes the 
promise in a speech, transmitted by video link, to a forum of 38 African 
countries meeting in Mauritius. The US president had originally promised to 
attend the conference, but cancelled his trip to Africa during the 
Christmas holiday, a decision many commentators have linked to the threat 
of war in the Middle East. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), 
which gives duty-free trade benefits, is due to expire in 2008. This has 
raised concerns that it would not succeed in promoting long-term investment 
in Africa as intended. Mr Bush reiterates US commitment to Africa, saying: 
"We look to the day when prosperity for Africa is built through trade and 
markets." His promise to ask for an extension of AGOA has been welcomed by 
businesses and African countries.   (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 16 January 2003)

* Afrique. Tour d'Afrique cycliste  -  Le 18 janvier, le départ du premier 
Tour d'Afrique cycliste, qui conduira 60 coureurs du Caire au Cap (Afrique 
du Sud), a été donné au pied des pyramides de la capitale égyptienne. Les 
coureurs de nombreuses nationalités (Français, Italiens, Allemands, 
Suisses, Néerlandais, Américains, Canadiens, Sud-Africains) vont parcourir 
un périple de 10.000 km, qui les verra passer par le Soudan et huit pays en 
Afrique de l'Est et australe. En Egypte, le peloton ira jusqu'à la Mer 
rouge, rejoindra le Nil, passera aux temples des pharaons à Abou Simbel, 
avant de prendre un ferry pour gagner le Soudan le 31 janvier. L'Egypte 
espère que cette course deviendra annuelle.   (AP, 18 janvier 2003)

* Afrique. Assistance accrue?  -  Le vice-président de la Banque mondiale 
pour l'Afrique, Callisto Madavo, a annoncé que les pays donateurs 
souhaitaient augmenter, l'année prochaine, leur assistance financière à 
l'Afrique, sans toutefois donner de chiffres. Il s'exprimait après le 
lancement de la 6ème phase du Partenariat stratégique pour l'Afrique (SPA) 
lors de la réunion plénière annuelle qui s'est tenue à Addis-Abeba du 16 au 
17 janvier. Le SPA est un forum pour la mobilisation et la coordination de 
l'aide au niveau du continent depuis 1987. L'assistance des donateurs n'a 
pas augmenté depuis plus d'une décennie. Elle "est passée de 32 dollars par 
habitant en 1990 à environ 19 dollars en 2000", a indiqué M. Madavo. Aucune 
date n'a été annoncée pour le déboursement des fonds. M. Madavo a aussi 
éludé une question sur l'allégement de la dette pour l'Afrique, déclarant 
que la question "n'avait pas été au centre des discussions".   (D'après 
PANA, Sénégal, 20 janvier 2003)

* Africa. Action against the Media  -  Côte d'Ivoire: On 16 January, 
Reporters sans Frontières (RSF) said it has written to all the delegations 
taking part in the peace talks being held in Linas-Marcoussis (south of 
Paris) between 15 and 24 January 2003, asking them to raise the issue of 
the media in Côte d'Ivoire. The organisation urges the political parties 
and rebel movements present to make a real commitment to establishing a 
freer and more responsible press in the country. They should, in 
particular, take measures to ensure the safety of all journalists -- 
Ivorian or foreign -- working in Côte d'Ivoire. The fact that journalists 
are regularly arrested, attacked or threatened is unacceptable. Ethiopia: 
On 21 January, the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA), 
said that the right of citizens to freedom of expression has, for ages, 
been brutally suppressed in countries like Ethiopia, where democratic 
systems have not been established. On 15-17 January, the Ethiopian 
government, through the Ministry of Information, conducted a three-day 
national symposium discuss issues with the free press. The government's 
purpose in organising the symposium is clear: it is a propaganda stunt 
designed to show to the world that the government is democratic. It is also 
a measure calculated to win the hearts and sympathies of donors and 
creditors. The agenda items of the symposium focused on the new press law 
being drafted exclusively by the Ministry of Information, the draft 
journalists' and publishers' code of ethics and regulations for the 
establishment of a press council. The agenda item on the problems facing 
the free press and their solutions was totally dropped. Malawi: The Media 
Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) reported that on 19 January, police in 
Blantyre detained Maganizo Mazeze, an announcer from the Malawi Institute 
of Journalism's radio station, MIJ 90.3 FM, on charges of "broadcasting 
material likely to cause public alarm and unrest". The police refused to 
release Mazeze on bail on 19 January, in the afternoon. He was expected to 
appear before a court on the morning of 20 January. Malawi's government has 
often accused MIJ 90.3 FM of serving government opponents. On 8 January, 
MIJ's board chairperson stunned the country when he accused the station of 
being "a mouthpiece of one political party". Somalia: On 21 January, the 
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned the attack on 
Somali radio and television station HornAfrik by armed militia, acting on 
orders of a businessman who was offended by a news report about a book 
mentioning connections between Somali businessmen and terrorism. According 
to IFJ's information, the militia forced the technicians and journalists to 
shut down the broadcast and leave the premises. They remained for several 
hours, and the station could only be reopened after negotiations. Tunisia: 
On 17 January, RSF said that imprisoned Internet journalist Zouhair 
Yahyaoui, founder of the website www.tunezine.com, has been suffering from 
a gum abscess and severe headaches since 10 January 2003, and the 
authorities have refused to provide him with medical attention. Yahyaoui 
began a hunger strike on 17 January in reaction to the very difficult 
conditions under which he is being detained. RSF is very concerned about 
the young man's deteriorating health and has asked the Tunisian authorities 
to release him without delay. Uganda: On 17 January, RSF said that Vincent 
Matovu, managing editor of the local Luganda-language weekly Mazima, has 
been held on remand in Luzira prison since 6 January 2003, in connection 
with the publication of two articles concerning the war between rebel 
groups and government forces in the north of the country. "This case 
demonstrates once again that journalists are not free to publish their 
analyses of the conflict between the rebel groups and government forces," 
RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard noted in a letter to Information 
Minister Basoga Nsadhu. Matovu is accused of sedition for having reported 
in two articles, published in October and November 2002, that Lord's 
Resistance Army (LRA) rebels had killed thousands of Uganda People's 
Defence Force )UPDF) soldiers and taken over the Pader and Kapchorwa 
districts (in the north and the east of the country). After appearing 
before a Kampala court, where he denied the charges brought against him, 
Matovu was remanded in custody on 6 January. He is being held in Luzira 
prison, near Kampala. Zimbabwe: MISA reported that on 15 January, Nqobile 
Nyathi, editor-in-chief of the weekly Financial Gazette, was summoned to 
the Harare Central police station for questioning in connection with 
advertisements that appeared in the paper in 2002. Nyathi, who was 
accompanied by her lawyer Linda Cook, was charged with contravening Section 
15 (a) and Section 16 (a) of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA). The 
charges arise from advertisements the newspaper ran in 2002, which made 
allegations against President Robert Mugabe in a mock trial conducted by 
the National Constitutional Assembly and the opposition Movement for 
Democratic Change (MDC).   (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 21 January 2003)

* Afrique. Mondialisation: 2 Forums  -  Ce 23 janvier, s'ouvrent deux 
forums mondiaux. Le 33e Forum économique mondial se tient à Davos (Suisse) 
du 23 au 28 janvier sur le thème "Construire la confiance". 2.500 invités y 
participeront, dont 29 chefs d'Etat ou de gouvernement, 81 ministres et un 
millier de dirigeants d'entreprise. Au même moment, du 23 au 27 janvier, se 
tient à Porto Alegre (Brésil) le 3e Forum social mondial. 100.000 personnes 
venant de 157 pays et appartenant à quelque 5.000 organisations se 
retrouveront autour de la devise "Un autre monde est possible". Ils 
travailleront autour de cinq axes: développement démocratique et durable; 
principes et valeurs; médias, culture et contre-hégémonie; pouvoir 
politique et société civile; combat contre la militarisation et promotion 
de la paix.   (D'après La Croix, France, 23 janvier 2003)

* West Africa. Baby milk marketing breaks rules  -  A study in the British 
Medical Journal says manufacturers of powdered baby milk substitutes are 
violating international codes when selling their product to West Africans. 
The research was carried out in Togo -- a country without legislation on 
the marketing of breast milk substitutes -- and also in Burkina Faso which 
has such legislation. The results show the marketing code is being ignored 
at similar levels in both countries. In 1982 the World Health Assembly 
adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substances, 
which sets out a minimum standard to ensure the proper use of formula milk. 
This latest research looked at health facilities, sales outlets, 
distribution points and the media in parts of West Africa. The researchers 
found the code had been violated by 40 products, many made by national and 
international manufacturers. Some companies failed to include a statement 
about the health benefits of breastfeeding, or instructions for the 
appropriate preparation or storage of formula milk, or a warning against 
the health hazards of inappropriate use.   (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 17 January 2003)

* Afrique de l'Ouest. 8 millions d'armes illicites  -  "Environ 500 
millions d'armes légères de type militaire circulent illicitement dans le 
monde, dont près de 8 millions en Afrique de l'Ouest. Elles alimentent de 
nombreux conflits armés et transforment en catastrophes sociales et 
économiques des divergences d'opinion qui auraient pu trouver d'autres 
solutions". C'est le cri d'alarme lancé par le Mouvement contre les armes 
légères en Afrique de l'Ouest (Malao), de concert avec Open Society West 
Africa et la Commission sénégalaise de lutte contre la prolifération des 
armes légères. Il incite à nourrir quelques inquiétudes quant aux risques 
de contagion de la crise ivoirienne.   (J.A.I., France, 19 janvier 2003)

* Afrique australe. Tournée de Poul Nielson  -  Le Commissaire européen 
pour la Coopération au développement et l'Aide humanitaire, Poul Nielson, 
se rendra du 23 au 29 janvier dans trois pays d'Afrique australe (Zambie, 
Angola et Afrique du Sud) pour ratifier des accords sur des stratégies de 
coopération. Il y visitera des projets financés par l'UE, tout en 
consultant des agences de développement de l'Onu, des représentants de la 
société civile et des institutions multilatérales. Sa tournée commencera 
par la Zambie, où il fera le point de la réaction de l'UE à la crise 
alimentaire dans ce pays. L'UE a déjà accordé à la Zambie 45.090 tonnes de 
maïs, alors qu'un apport supplémentaire de semences et d'engrais est 
prévu.   (D'après PANA, Sénégal, 20 janvier 2003)

* Algérie. Ali Benflis à Paris  -  Les 16 et 17 janvier, le Premier 
ministre algérien, Ali Benflis, s'est rendu à Paris pour la première visite 
officielle depuis 1994 d'un chef de gouvernement algérien. Sa venue 
coïncide avec le lancement de l'Année de l'Algérie en France. Le président 
français Jacques Chirac devrait à son tour se rendre en Algérie au mois de 
mars prochain. Plusieurs facteurs expliquent le rapprochement entre les 
deux pays. Le climat politique a changé à Alger. Le recul des maquis 
islamistes et le retour de la sécurité dans les grandes villes ont permis 
une reprise progressive des échanges économiques. Les hommes d'affaires ont 
repris le chemin d'Alger, même si M. Benflis juge leur implication 
insuffisante. Selon lui, les entrepreneurs français pourraient jouer un 
rôle plus actif dans le domaine de l'industrie pharmaceutique, du bâtiment 
public et du tourisme notamment. A la fin de la visite, les deux chefs de 
gouvernement, MM. Raffarin et Benflis, ont appelé de leurs voeux une 
"refondation" des relations entre les deux pays. - L'"Année de l'Algérie" 
ne fait cependant pas que des heureux. Ainsi, la communauté berbère de 
France (quelque 2 millions d'individus) la considère comme une opération de 
propagande en faveur des autorités algériennes faisant peu de cas du 
caractère autocratique du pouvoir en place à Alger.   (ANB-BIA, de sources 
diverses, 18 janvier 2003)

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