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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 14-06-2001

PART #4/4 - From SOUTH AFRICA to ZIMBABWE

* South Africa. Unwavering on AIDS drugs — The South African government on 7 June reiterated its position on anti-retroviral drugs to combat HIV/AIDS, in spite of winning a court battle with pharmaceutical companies to ensure the provision of cheaper generic drugs. «At the prices anti-retrovirals are, we can’t afford them. I made some calculations and it became very clear that we would not be able to use anti- retrovirals,» Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the minister of health, said. Speaking at the World Economic Forum’s southern Africa economic summit in Durban, she said treatment of HIV/AIDS formed part of the government’s integrated approach to relieve poverty and underdevelopment. The government’s emphasis would be on an HIV/AIDS prevention programme. Mrs Tshabalala-Msimang said access to cheaper medicines achieved in the court battle would help to treat diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria and sexually transmitted diseases. «We must do those things that we know work. We must not fool ourselves. Anti-retrovirals do not cure HIV.» (Financial Times, UK, 8 June 2001)

* South Africa. Concern for Zimbabwe — Senior South African officials are increasingly concerned about the possibility of an imminent collapse of Zimbabwe after months of political violence and deepening economic crisis. Conventional opinion is that South Africa holds the whip hand in relations with Zimbabwe but has failed to apply it, perhaps because of an affinity with President Robert Mugabe. Mr Mugabe, however, may have more cards to play than is generally appreciated, or so an influential camp within South Africa’s ruling ANC argues. Fear of what Mr Mugabe could do to South Africa has led to paralysis in policy-making even though some in the ANC view Zimbabwe as the greatest national security threat post-apartheid South Africa has faced. This fear has persuaded President Thabo Mbeki to take a non-confrontational diplomatic approach to Zimbabwe in spite of the damage illegal land invasions, a war of words with the UK and a crackdown on political opponents have done to the region’s international image. «With Ian Smith [Zimbabwe’s former white president], South Africa was dealing with a racist who it could be assumed would act rationally under pressure,» warned one ANC policy shaper. «With Robert Mugabe we are dealing with a racist whose responses to pressure are unpredictable.» (Financial Times, UK, 8 June 2001)

* South Africa. Arms inquiry begins — 11 June: Public hearings open in South Africa into a US $6 billion arms deal, which has been at the centre of allegations of fraud and corruption at high levels in the government in Pretoria. The case at pretoria High Court was due to start two weeks ago, but was immediately adjourned at the request of the Defence Ministry, which said it needed more time to prepare. The government has been accused of a cover-up. Something it denies. (BBC News, UK, 11 June 2001)

* South Africa. To work with UK over Zimbabwe — South Africa and the UK were agreed in their approach to resolving the instability and economic crisis in Zimbabwe, Essop Pahad, the minister in charge of the South African presidency, said at the weekend. Mr Pahad said discussions on helping bring peace to Zimbabwe would take place during President Thabo Mbeki’s three-day state visit to the UK, which begins on 12 June. There were «no fundamental points of difference» between the two governments. South Africa has pursued a policy of «quiet diplomacy» in response to illegal farm occupations, the breakdown of the rule of law and intimidation of political opposition in Zimbabwe. It argued that it would bear the brunt of its neighbour’s collapse and has maintained economic links and conciliatory diplomatic contact. «If there were a collapse in Zimbabwe, all those people wouldn’t go to the UK, they would come here,» Mr Pahad said. Last week Mr Mbeki received a vote of support from an unexpected quarter when Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the Zimbabwean opposition, endorsed the South African approach. Mr Tsvangirai insisted that South Africa should keep lifelines in place instead of applying economic pressure. (Financial Times, UK, 11 June 2001)

* South Africa. Bishops denounce xenophobia — The Catholic Bishops of South Africa has issued a Pastoral Letter for International Refugee Day 2001, to encourage their countrymen to give an evangelical welcome to those without a homeland. The document entitled «Our Responsibility Toward Refugees», begins by reminding the faithful that since 1990, «refugees have been coming to seek refuge in South Africa from troubled spots in Africa and other parts of the world. The unending wars and stalling peace processes mean that we expect this trend to continue». (Zenit, Italy, 11 June 2001)

* South Africa. Agreement reached on mineral rights legislation — The South African government and the mining industry on 11 June reached a landmark agreement on controversial new legislation that seeks to abolish private ownership of mineral rights, returning them to the state. The decision to bury the hatchet after long and often bitter argument was announced on the eve of the South African president’s official visit to the UK. Thabo Mbeki arrived on 12 June with dozens of businessmen and eight cabinet ministers on a four-day visit. The draft Minerals Development Bill has been an object of contention since its publication last December. The government maintained its intention was to bring South Africa in line with best international practice, to redress the imbalances of the past and to prevent companies hoarding their mineral rights without exploiting their resources by introducing a «use it or lose it» policy. South Africa’s Chamber of Mines, as well as international fund managers and investment analysts, objected that the proposed legislation gave the mining minister excessive discretionary powers to deny or refuse mining licences. Without security of tenure, they warned, «alarm bells will ring for investors» who would fear «expropriation without compensation». (Financial Times, UK, 12 June 2001)

* Afrique du Sud. Thabo Mbeki reçu par la reine — La reine Elizabeth a reçu en grande pompe le président sud-africain Thabo Mbeki, lors de la première journée de sa visite en Grande-Bretagne. Cette visite d’Etat de quatre jours vise à promouvoir les relations économiques et politiques entre les deux pays. Le commerce bilatéral entre l’Afrique du Sud et la Grande-Bretagne s’est élevé à 5,5 milliards de dollars en 2000, soit 40% de plus par rapport à l’année précédente. Thabo Mbeki, qui avait suivi des études d’économie à l’université du Sussex (sud-est de l’Angleterre), retrouve 40 ans après le pays qui l’avait accueilli en tant que jeune réfugié politique fuyant l’apartheid. Le président sud-africain a aussi rencontré le nouveau chef de la diplomatie britannique, Jack Straw, qui a réaffirmé que “les relations avec l’Afrique constitueront une priorité importante du deuxième mandat de ce gouvernement”. Lors de cette visite, les deux pays aborderont aussi très probablement la situation au Zimbabwe, sujet de friction entre Pretoria et Londres depuis que le ministre chargé de l’Afrique, Peter Hain, a critiqué l’an dernier la “diplomatie tranquille” du gouvernement sud-africain envers la politique du président Robert Mugabe. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 13 juin 2001)

* South Africa. Mbeki in Great Britain — South African President Thabo Mbeki has thanked Britain for its support in ending apartheid seven years ago. Mbeki and his wife were hosted by Queen Elizabeth II for the four-day state visit — his first to Britain. «We know it as a matter of fact that Her Majesty, the rest of the royal family and the people of these isles wish us well,» he told a state banquet on 12 June at Windsor Castle, the royal residence west of London, Reuters reported. «We will strive constantly, in a principled manner, without bitterness, avoiding being driven by the animosities of the past, towards a future of happiness for all the children of our country, both black and white,» he added. Queen Elizabeth in turn praised Mbeki for maintaining the momentum of reform, Reuters said. «It is to your credit. Mr President, that this drive forward has continued,» she said. «It is easy to forget just how much has been achieved.» The Queen promised that Britain would continue to give South Africa full support. (CNN, USA, 13 June 2001)

* Soudan. Reprise des raids aériens — Le 11 juin, le gouvernement soudanais a annoncé que ses forces armées allaient “reprendre les raids aériens” dans le sud du pays “pour se défendre face aux agressions répétées” des rebelles sudistes. Le gouvernement avait décidé le 25 mai la suspension des raids aériens dans le sud, où les combats se déroulent entre forces gouvernementales et SPLA depuis environ trois mois. (Le Monde, France, 13 juin 2001)

* Tanzania. Alert on Zanzibari prisoners — On 7 June, Amnesty International expressed concern for the physical safety of two prisoners charged with the murder of a police officer during a political demonstration on Pemba Island on 27 January, and who have not been released despite Zanzibar’s Attorney general having ordered the authorities to do so. (Amnesty International, 7 June 2001)

* Chad. Violent crackdown on peaceful protestors — In a Press release dated 12 June, Amnesty International says it is deeply concerned about the safety of members and supporters of the political opposition as well as of human rights defenders in Chad, following a violent crackdown by the Chadian security forces in the wake of a disputed presidential election. «The weeks since the announcement of the election results on 27 May 2001 have been marked by a pattern of government harassment and repression of the opposition», Amnesty International said. (Amnesty International, 12 June 2001)

* Tchad. Manifestation violemment dispersée — Le 11 juin, une manifestation de plusieurs dizaines de femmes, qui entendaient protester devant l’ambassade de France contre la “complicité” des autorités françaises dans le “hold-up électoral” du président Déby, réélu le 20 mai avec 67,35% des voix, a été violemment dispersée par la police anti-émeute. Deux femmes, dont l’avocate Jacqueline Moudaïna, qui mène une enquête sur les tortures et massacres du temps de l’ancien président Habré, dont Déby fut le chef d’état-major général, ont été blessées par des éclats de grenades défensives. - Quinze jours après la diffusion des résultats des élections présidentielles, les Eglises chrétiennes du Tchad ont publié une dure prise de position. “La proclamation des résultats provisoires a profondément humilié, découragé quant à l’espoir de voir s’instaurer” dans le pays “un véritable Etat de droit”, peut-on lire dans une “Lettre aux chrétiens et aux hommes de bonne volonté”, signée par les responsables de l’Eglise catholique, de l’Alliance évangélique des Eglises de la Pentecôte et de l’Entente des Eglises et des Missions évangéliques. Le 13 juin, le Conseil constitutionnel tchadien a confirmé la réélection du président Déby au premier tour. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 14 juin 2001)

* Togo. Doyen de la presse privée condamné — Le 5 juin, Lucien Messan, directeur de la rédaction de l’hebdomadaire Le Combat du peuple, a été condamné à 18 mois de prison, dont 6 avec sursis, pour “faux et usage de faux” par un tribunal de Lomé. On lui reproche d’avoir apposé sa signature au bas d’un communiqué de l’Association togolaise des éditeurs de la presse privée, qui dénonçait les affirmations du Premier ministre selon lesquelles “les directeurs de publication ont été unanimes pour affirmer qu’il n’y a jamais eu des centaines de morts au Togo”. RSF a protesté contre cette condamnation. Agé de 55 ans, Lucien Messan est le doyen de la presse privée togolaise. Il est connu pour être l’un des journalistes les plus virulents envers le régime d’Eyadéma. Il avait déjà été interpellé en septembre 1998 et accusé de diffusion de fausses informations. (RSF, Paris, 8 juin 2001)

* Tunisie. Subventions à la presse des partis — Le 7 juin, le président tunisien Ben Ali a annoncé une majoration de 50% de la subvention accordée par l’Etat à la presse des partis, dont le montant était jusque là de 75.000 dinars (41.000 euros) par an. Cette mesure, la deuxième majoration du genre en l’espace de six mois, vise à permettre aux journaux des partis, spécialement ceux de l’opposition, “en butte à des difficultés” financières, à assurer “la régularité de leur parution et de leur diffusion”. Le chef de l’Etat réaffirme par ailleurs sa “détermination à persévérer” dans la mise en place d’un système politique fondé sur la démocratie et le pluralisme, sans toutefois céder “à l’anarchie”. (AP, 8 juin 2001)

* Tunisie/Libye. Ben Ali en visite en Libye — Le président tunisien Zine El Abidine Ben Ali effectuera une «visite de fraternité et de travail» en Libye, les 13 et 14 juin, à l’invitation du colonel Muammar Kadhafi. La Libye est le premier partenaire économique de la Tunisie dans le monde arabe et en Afrique. Tunis et Tripoli ont convenu de porter le volume de leurs échanges de 700 millions de dollars en 1999 à un milliard de dollars en 2001. Par ailleurs, plusieurs grands projets communs ont été mis en oeuvre ces dernières années, dont l’interconnexion de leurs réseaux électriques et l’exploitation d’un gisement pétrolier off-shore situé sur le plateau continental limitrophe des deux pays. (D’après AP, USA, 12 juin 2001)

* Uganda. NGOs under pressure — NGOs in Uganda face new stringent legislative and administrative measures. The 2001 Amendment Bill requires the 1500 NGOs in the country to renew their licences annually, thus amending existing provisions that required new NGOs to have their licences reviewed after the first year of operation and then after three years. NGOs still face a Registration Board which is closely affiliated to the President’s Office. New administrative measures imposed by Resident District Commissioners (under the President) now require all NGOs to register, to declare their sources of finance, and to account for their funds. (Crespo Sebunya, ANB-BIA, Uganda, 30 May 2001)

* Uganda. Pfizer opens Ugandan AIDS centre — The pharmaceutical company Pfizer on 11 June launched an AIDS treatment training facility for sub-Saharan Africa. The move is the latest effort by multinational drug companies to counter the perception that their pricing policies and defence of patents have failed millions of poor being ravaged by the disease. The high-tech clinic, based in the Ugandan capital Kampala, will be run by an «academic alliance» of leading Ugandan and North American doctors, and act as a centre of excellence in a continent that is home to 27m of the world’s 36m AIDS sufferers. Its founders hope it will train thousands of doctors across Africa in treatment strategies, as well as more traditional prevention techniques. Pfizer has offered up to $11m dollars over the next three years, and Hank McKinnell, the Pfizer chief executive, said his company hoped to maintain support for at least a decade. He urged others to follow suit. (Financial Times, UK, 12 June 2001)

* Ouganda. Pfizer: formation anti-sida — La firme pharmaceutique Pfizer, qui désire améliorer son image de marque, a ouvert en Ouganda un centre de formation pour le traitement du sida. L’hôpital hautement spécialisé à Kampala est géré par des médecins ougandais et américains et servira de centre d’étude pour le continent africain, qui compte 27 millions de sidéens. Les fondateurs espèrent y former des milliers de médecins dans le traitement du sida et les techniques préventives plus traditionnelles. Pfizer y investira 11 millions de dollars en trois ans et promet son aide pour une période de dix ans. (D’après De Standaard, Belgique, 13 juin 2001)

* Western Sahara. UN calls for aid — United Nations aid agencies have made an urgent appeal for more funds to feed refugees from the disputed region of Western Sahara, who’ve been living in remote camps in the Algerian desert for the past 25 years. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Food Programme called on donors to provide at least one-point-two-million dollars a month for the estimated one-hundred-and-fifty-five-thousand refugees. They said that without more money, the agencies’ warehouses would be empty by September. The refugees have been stranded in the camps since war broke out in Western Sahara in 1976 after the colonial power, Spain, withdrew from the territory. A UN-sponsored referendum on the region — which is claimed by Morocco — has been repeatedly postponed. (BBC News, UK, 9 June 2001)

* Western Sahara. Equal rights for women — The sun chars everything to cinder around El Ayoun Refugee Camp. It’s a barren, wind-lashed, inhospitable desert —hardly the place to raise children or much of anything else. But thousands of Saharawis, cast here by political upheaval, have lived for the last 25 years in refugee camps in these wastelands of southwest Algeria. Against all odds, they have raised a nation-in-exile. What’s more remarkable is the society that’s emerged, largely nurtured by women, stands out starkly from that of other Arab and Muslim peoples. Saharawi women have demanded and won equal rights. They receive full education, have work opportunities similar to men and can vote in elections held every four years. On a personal level, marriage partners are freely chosen, women can initiate divorce, and contraception and abortion are permitted. «We are proud to be women, proud to be Arabs, proud to be Muslim, but we do not intend letting anyone dictate to us how we should live our lives,» Mariam Salek, culture minister in the Saharawi government-in-exile, told The Associated Press. The Saharawis, descendants of nomadic tribes, live in tent cities that sprouted when they fled their neighboring Western Sahara homeland after Morocco annexed the 285,000 square-kilometre land at the end of Spanish colonial rule in 1976. Morocco still insists it is the rightful ruler of the territory, which is rich in phosphates, and says Saharawis are simply Moroccans. To assert their claim, Saharawi men formed the Polisario militia — the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia de Hamra and Rio de Oro, the regions of the former Spanish Sahara. They fought a 15-year insurgency, something of a Cold War conflict since their allies in the battle against US-backed Morocco were often radical states such as Algeria, Libya and Cuba. — Today, a 10-year-old, UN-forged cease-fire is holding while debate drags on over the terms of an independence referendum. (CNN, USA, 11 June 2001

* Zambia. Hosting the OAU Summit — This year’s Organisation of African Union (OAU) summit will be historic because it will lead to the transformation of the continental body into an African Union, OAU secretary general Salim Ahmed Salim has said. Speaking after signing the hosting agreement between the Zambian government and the OAU on 9 June, Salim said Zambia had been honoured because the Lusaka summit would provide guidelines for the transformation of the idea, started by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, into reality. He said the holding of the OAU summit in Zambia was testimony to Africans’ recognition of the country’s role in different struggles on the continent. «By coming to the OAU summit, they are coming to mark that recognition,» said Salim. «I hope Zambians will live up to their civic and historic role in Africa.» Salim praised President Chiluba’s peace search in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He urged Zambians to bury their differences and support the holding of the OAU in Zambia as it was a great honour. (The Post, Zambia, 11 June 2001)

* Zimbabwe. Overtures — Despite the recent overtures by the Commercial Farmers Union, whereby the CFU has offered the government one million hectares of «uncontested» land plus US $2 million spending money, Zimbabwe’s tragedy has yet to reach its climax. The government «cautiously accepted» the offer. However there are no guarantees that the invasions will stop, because some war veterans are adamant: «We are the ones to dictate who should get what piece of land and not the whites,» an official of the veterans told the government-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation recently. And what is even more disturbing is that contrary to earlier pledges that the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) will be apolitical even when a new government is installed, moves are being made behind closed doors to persuade troops to take up position with the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and invade the scene as activists. The local press has extensively covered the whirlwind tours of army barracks by the ZNA commander, Mr Constantine Chiwenga. His message is clear: «Rally behind ZANU-PF and Mugabe, and throw out Tsvangirai, the traitor». As a measure to ensure success, Mr Chiwenga has promised to award war veterans who are members of the army with more money and promotions. (Stan Dongo, ANB-BIA, Zimbabwe, 30 May 2001)

* Zimbabwe. Mugabe appelle à la lutte — Le 8 juin, quelque 10.000 personnes, dont des centaines de militaires en uniforme et nombre de dignitaires du parti au pouvoir, ont assisté aux funérailles de Chenjerai Hunzvi, dirigeant d’une organisation d’anciens combattants de la guerre d’indépendance et fer de lance du violent mouvement d’occupation des fermes des Blancs, décédé le 4 juin. Le président Mugabe a salué sa mémoire et lui a accordé l’auréole et les funérailles d’un héros national. Hunzvi a lutté pour la justice sociale et contre les vestiges du colonialisme, a dit M. Mugabe, qui a appelé ses militants à intensifier la lutte. -Selon le Daily News du 12 juin, un ouvrier agricole noir a péri, roué de coups par des “vétérans”, sous les yeux de la police et devant les caméras de la télévision nationale. La police a ouvert une enquête. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 13 juin 2001)

* Zimbabwe. New wave of violence by militants — A new wave of violence hit white-owned farms across Zimbabwe, apparently triggered by the death last week of Chenjerai Hunzvi, the militant leader of violent land occupations, farmers said on 13 June. One farm worker died in weekend clashes with ruling party militants south of Harare, police and the Commercial Farmers Union said. A farm manager was assaulted in southwestern Zimbabwe and another was barricaded in his homestead. Tobacco planting was disrupted north of Harare, with planted seed beds being ripped up, and militants ordered another farm to stop work Friday to mourn Hunzvi’s death on June 4 of malaria and AIDS complications. The ruling party declared Hunzvi, one of its most feared militants, a national hero last week for what it described as his «selfless commitment and dedication» to wrest land and economic resources from Zimbabwe’s 50,000 whites, who dominate the economy in this nation of 12 million people. (CNN, USA, 13 June 2001)

* Zimbabwe. Massive increase in fuel prices — Massive increases in fuel prices have come into effect in Zimbabwe, with petrol rising by 74%. The increases, announced by the state-run National Oil Company of Zimbabwe, are likely to exacerbate problems facing commuters and the transport industry. Zimbabwe has to import all its petroleum products. (Petrol is up 74%; Aviation fuel is up 82%; Diesel is up 67%). The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries expresses dismay at the price increases. (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 13 June 2001)

* Zimbabwe. Le prix du carburant augmente drastiquement — Le 13 juin, le gouvernement a augmenté le prix de l’essence de 72% et celui du diesel de 67%. On craint que l’inflation, qui est déjà de 70% par an, ne croisse encore par ces mesures. Mais le gouvernement espère que les entrées de ces taxes lui apporteront plus de devises étrangères, ce qui renforcerait la position de la monnaie nationale. La dernière augmentation des prix du carburant en octobre avait occasionné de violents affrontements. (D’après De Standaard, Belgique, 14 juin 2001)