http://www.africafiles.org/ AfricaFiles is a network of volunteers committed to promoting African perspectives and alternative analyses for human rights and economic justice in Africa. en-ca Copyright 2012 AfricaFiles. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:33 EST 20 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26158 "South Sudan has totally shut down oil output in a row with Sudan over export transit fees and will only restart after the two reach a deal covering border security and the disputed Abyei region, its oil minister said on Sunday." GK Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26158 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26159 "UN chief Ban Ki-moon said Sunday a crisis between former enemies Sudan and South Sudan has become a major threat to regional peace and security." GK Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26159 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26160 "...perhaps only China has the deep pockets and appetite for risk to buy the world’s way out of its Sudan problem: a problem created largely by Western fecklessness...." GK Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26160 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26155 No one can deny the tremendous potential of Nigeria, with its very large population, great oil wealth and rich diversity. Yet, wracked by ethnic and religious conflict, rampant corruption, and ruthless competition for power, it has had a tumultuous history thus far, and has become one of the most challenging countries in Africa to govern. In this article, Ukoha Ukiwo provides real insight into the prospects for unity and equality under the Fourth Republic. Though created through a "forced marriage" almost 100 years ago, the partners that make up this great federation are still together after 50 years of independence. The potential is still there. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26155 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26156 Sentenced to five years in prison for their homosexuality, the plight of these two men are merely the tip of the iceberg in Cameroon. The judge in the case has been accused of making homophobic innuendos during the trial and Cameroon's homosexuality law has been described as draconian. The Obama administration has made plain its plans to confront discrimination against LGBT communities worldwide. Add your voice to theirs! CJW Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26156 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26157 "On 25 January 2012, five members of Grifina, a non-violent youth led resistance movement, were arrested in Sudan. These arrests give evidence of a government campaign targeting youth activists." GK Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26157 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26121 Plan to attend an informal lecture hosted by AfricaFiles on February 4th, 2012. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26121 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26153 "If shared values of the AU are to play a meaningful role in the discourse and practice of democracy and human rights in Africa, lessons should be learnt from the North African popular uprisings... Despite weaknesses in the AU’s approach to the events in North Africa and its not-so-unreasonable opposition to NATO’s military intervention, one clear message of the North African uprisings was that democracy, human rights and good governance should be taken much more seriously within the AU system." At present its credibility with ordinary people living under dictatorial-style governments may not be high; the AU is seen to side with governments - indeed to BE governments. JK Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26153 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26154 Zimbabwe may have steadied it’s economy, yet all is far from right. The macroeconomics of the country make some sense now after Mugabe had all but destroyed the economy a few years ago, yet this is all relative. There is much right after the MDC put a halt to Mugabe’s path to total destruction, yet compared to the 1990’s, 1980’s and yes, to the 1970’s, Zimbabwe is a pale shadow of what it was economically during those decades. Articles as below show this very clearly; while photographs of what was before, and what is now bring tears to one’s eyes! GCLAASSEN Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26154 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26151 This press release hails the Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke for institutionalizing good governance in the state by signing four very important Bills into law. ...ANEEJ had in August last year organised a Stakeholder’s Forum in Calabar to review and make inputs into the bills. This campaign is part of their "Strengthening Oil Revenue Management Project in Niger Delta States. Niger Delta is the main source of oil in Nigeria, which ,with Angola, are the main oil producers in all Africa. JK Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26151 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26152 "This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains a short op-ed commentary by Alex de Waal, an adviser to the African Union mediation team on Sudan, and excerpts from the transcript of a teleconference with Princeton Lyman, the U.S. special envoy on Sudan. Both reflect the African and international consensus urging both sides to compromise." GK Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26152 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26150 Human Rights Watch recently released its annual review summarizing human rights issues in over 90 countries and territories worldwide for 2011. Of special mention are the peaceful protests in the Middle East and North Africa. The article provides a link to access the 2012 World Report that further details obstructions of human rights in 19 African countries. TS Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26150 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26145 The Chinese government will on January 28 donate the African Union headquarters building in Ethiopia. According to this report, it is an insult that a building as symbolic as the AU headquarters should be donated by a foreign nation when all over African leaders preach sovereignty. Quite a pursuasive argument. FJ Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26145 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26146 The EU has committed to require European mining companies operating in DRC to be more transparent about the sources and transmission of minerals which may do harm by financing violence. This follows similar legislated commitments in the USA, thus making a more level playing field for most mining enterprises as they do `due diligence’ on their supply chains. JK Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26146 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26147 Ida Odinga, wife of Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has added her voice to the growing debate about the trial of four Kenyans being charged by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity during the post-2008 election violence in Kenya. She is calling for the victims to be tried locally, arguing that this is a better solution than a trial beyond the county. She also voiced her empathy for the families of the accused, citing her own experience as the wife of a former political prisoner. KBL Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26147 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26148 Anglophone Cameroonians say they do not feel like equal partners with their Francophone counterparts. They experience discrimination in employment opportunities, public services, and socially. Cameroon, a former German colony was divided between France and Britain after the first world war. The two parts were re-united 50 years ago - 1962. JK Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26148 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26149 Is the D.R Congo gradually slipping into another civil war? This analysis on post-election crisis paints a worrying picture of uncertainty characterised by abductions,death, national and international condemnations of electoral process by NGOs and incompetence of the national electoral commission. MUB Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26149 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26108 Student activist Taj Alsir Jaafar was removed from a bus on his way home from university on December 30 2011. He is now being held incommunicado in an unknown location and while no charges have been laid, it is believed he is being held for participating in a sit-in at Khartoum University. His mother is being threatened for trying to find him. CJW Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26108 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26109 Artemisinin, used as a front-line treatment for malaria, is in short supply. Recent advances in the production of the drug, specifically through a more efficient extraction process, could alleviate this shortage. Not only will this ensure a reliable supply, but also drive prices for the drug down, thus reducing incentives for counterfeit drugs. CJW Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26109 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26119 The Basua community of western Uganda are one of many indigenous communities that are facing challenges to their survival. The Basua were forced off their land two decades ago and while an NGO received funding from the European Union to build them a new village, the project was halted under corruption allegations. Without a way of life, without a home and facing rising HIV rates, the remaining 100 Basua will fade into memory very soon if steps aren't taken to save them. CJW Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26119 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26138 The cancellation of Round 11 of the Global Fund brings rejuvenation to the organisation. New grants will cover a three-year period, down from five, and funds will be more closely managed. M.Makoni Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26138 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26139 Since 1999 the Nigeria Inter-religious Council has worked to calm the passions arising from murders and the burning of churches and mosques. Leaders of Nigeria’s Muslim and Christian communities have recently come together to condemn violence fomented by Boko Haram and an Archbishop has appealed to Christian and Muslim leaders worldwide to act together in the face of violence that threatens to divide Nigerians along religious lines. B.T. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26139 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26140 Is the Nigerian ‘revolution’ over? (re: fuel subsidy removal and restoration) Was it just a brief moment in Nigeria’s history when everyone came together believing that this time things would be different? Or has there been a permanent shift in consciousness? Emmanuel Iduma likens Nigeria’s 14-day revolt to a dream from which we awoke and returned to normalcy. But the author, Sokari Ekine, thinks it was a major change of consciousness and society will never be the same again. There is also reflection on the Boko Haram attacks, and a p.s about the Egyptian Revolution, whose first anniversary has just passed. JK Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26140 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26141 Ethiopia is forcing locals off their land, so they can offer up millions of hectares of fertile farmland to foreign companies from countries such as China, India and Saudi Arabia for large-scale farm factories, claims a recent research report. The Canadian government should think twice where their aid dollars are going. DH Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26141 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26142 The Court should put in place a strategy to protect human rights defenders as the cases come to trial and in the run-up to national elections in Kenya in 2013, says The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project. Protection to witnesses must be afforded by the Government of Kenya. DH Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26142