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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 24-01-2002

PART #2/4 - From ERITREA  to  MOROCCO

* Eritrea/Ethiopia. Move to prevent Horn war reigniting — 17 January: The United Nations is sending a mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea to try to prevent a forthcoming ruling on their long-running border dispute leading to a resumption of hostilities. An international commission is expected to give a final ruling next month on demarcating the disputed border line, which led to an armed conflict lasting for nearly two years. «It’s a tense and important moment in the peace process and we need to make sure this goes right», a UN envoy said. (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 17 January 2002)

* Ethiopia. Government urges measures to avoid flood damage — The Ethiopian government has called for an early warning system to help avoid catastrophic floods that claim hundreds of lives each year. Mesfin Tegene, the deputy minister of water resources says: «An area similar to the size of the Netherlands is severely damaged each year. This is of great concern to the Ethiopian government.As far as water resources are concerned this is one of the most important issues that Ethiopia must address. This is a very costly problem. The main reason for an early warning system is to protect the lives of people. The second is to protect this area as many investors in the country are currently settling there.» He said the flooding mainly occurs in the Awash basin —which starts around 100 kilometres west of the capital Addis Ababa and stretches all the way to Djibouti. The damage is mainly in the Afar region of Ethiopia and to the communities who live along the banks of the river. The  flooding — which usually happens between June and August — also causes immeasurable damage to agricultural land and infrastructure as well as leaving hundreds homeless. (IRIN, 16 January 2002)

* Ethiopia. Massive animal census to be launched — One of the world’s largest animal surveys will be launched in Ethiopia next month. For the first time ever, all the animals in the country are to be counted as part of a massive census by the Ethiopian Central Statistics Authority (CSA). More than 15,000 people are to take part in the survey that is expected to last 10 days. In that time, statistical experts are to travel to all parts of the country, using aeroplanes to get to even the remotest parts to record animal numbers. Livestock is a vital component of the Ethiopian economy, with hides and skins second only to coffee in terms of exports contributing tens of millions of dollars to the country. Girma Tadesse, the head of Natural Resource and Agricultural Statistics Department at the CSA said the census was vital for the future development of the country. (IRIN, 17 January 2002)

* Ethiopie/Erythrée. Frontière tracée par l’Onu — Le Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies a donné son feu vert à une mission de délimitation de la frontière entre l’Ethiopie et l’Erythrée, conformément à l’accord de paix signé par les deux pays en 2000, mettant fin à trois ans de guerre particulièrement meurtrière. Le tracé fixé par la commission sera “définitif” et engagera les deux parties. (Le Figaro, France, 18 janvier 2002)

* The Gambia. Poor turnout in polls — 17 January: Some Gambians have been going to the polls, today, in parliamentary elections but the main opposition party is boycotting them. The boycott by Ousainou Darboe’s United Democratic Party paves the way for a landslide victory for President Jammeh’s party. The ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction is running unopposed in 33 constituencies. Mr Darboe has accused the government of fraud. 18 January: President Yahya Jammeh has predictably sealed his hold on power with a landslide victory in parliamentary polls boycotted by much of the opposition. The president’s ruling Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction took 45 of the 49 parliamentary seats. Voter turnout for the elections was much lower than for last October’s presidential elections, which President Jammeh won comfortably. Mr Darboe pulled out of the parliamentary elections, accusing the government of rigging the vote by transferring massive numbers of voters between electoral lists of different constituencies. The opposition also accuse the Mr Jammeh of fixing the presidential elections. President Jammeh, 36, first seized power in a military coup in 1994, and has made it clear he favours one-party rule. (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 19 January 2002)

* Gambie. Elections législatives — Le parti APRC (Alliance pour la réorientation poltique et la Constitution) du président El Hadj Yahya Jammeh a confirmé sa majorité aux élections législatives qui se sont déroulées le 17 janvier en Gambie. L’APRC a remporté 45 des 49 sièges de l’Assemblée nationale. La plupart des partis d’opposition avaient boycotté le scrutin. Le début de la prochaine législature est prévu pour le 25 janvier. Le président Jammeh, arrivé au pouvoir en 1994 suite à un coup d’Etat, a été confirmé à la tête du pays en octobre dernier, grâce à des élections présidentielles contestées. (Misna, Italie, 19 janvier 2002)

* Great Lakes. British and French Foreign Ministers in the Great Lakes region — 22 January: «The volcano disaster could help bring an end to its three-year war», UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has said. Arriving in the capital Kinshasa for a long-planned peace mission, Mr Straw said the humanitarian crisis following the eruption highlighted the need for co-operation and an end to the fighting. Mr Straw and his French counterpart, Hubert Vedrine, have adjusted their agenda to include the issue of getting emergency aid to the victims of the Nyiragongo volcano. During their visit they are considering a trip to the worst affected town of Goma and surrounding areas, where the homes of hundreds of thousands were destroyed. From Kinshasa, the two foreign ministers have moved on to Rwanda. Following the visits to Congo and Rwanda, both ministers admitted they had made no progress in attempts to break the deadlock in Congo’s civil war. They are now moving on to Burundi. 23 January: The Foreign Ministers have been visiting Uganda on the last stage of their joint mission. Despite a series of frank discussions with leaders in the region, there is little sign that the mission has achieved any breakthrough. (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 23 January 2002)

* Grands Lacs. Voyage conjoint de Védrine et Straw — 21 janvier. Du 21 au 23 janvier, indique La Libre Belgique, les ministres français et britannique des Affaires étrangères, Hubert Védrine et Jack Straw, se rendront conjointement dans la région des Grands Lacs, passant au Congo, au Rwanda, au Burundi et en Ouganda. Les deux ministres aimeraient convaincre les pays de la région d’appliquer intégralement l’Accord de Lusaka, signé en 1999 mais suspendu depuis, et de trouver le moyen de neutraliser les rebelles hutu hostiles au gouvernement de Kigali, afin d’ôter toute justification à la présence de troupes rwandaises au Congo. Les deux pays sont d’accord sur les principes d’un règlement de la crise des Grands Lacs: respect de l’intégrité territoriale du Congo, déploiement d’une force de l’Onu, retrait des forces étrangères, démobilisation des factions et, à terme, conférence internationale. La principale nuance entre Paris et Londres porte sur la superficie de la zone tampon démilitarisée à établir le long de la frontière orientale du Congo. Une  nuance d’importance puisque le maintien d’une zone trop vaste renforcerait le partage de fait du Congo. - 24 janvier. Après la tournée des deux ministres qui s’est achevée hier, les observateurs parlent d’un bilan plutôt décevant. Aucun des protagonistes qu’ils ont rencontrés n’a fait d’ouverture. Les blocages ont persisté, surtout au Rwanda. Cependant, le rapprochement des politiques africaines de Londres et de Paris pourrait avoir une influence positive sur la situation en Afrique centrale, où les antagonismes entre les deux pays ont parfois été désastreux dans le passé. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 24 janvier 2002)

* Kenya. Amélioration des relations extérieures — Le nouvel ambassadeur de la Grande-Bretagne au Kenya, Sir Edward Clay, a promis d’insuffler un nouveau souffle aux relations, restées longtemps assez tièdes, entre Londres et Nairobi. Ces relations s’étaient dégradées depuis que les Britanniques avaient commencé à insister pour que le Kenya procède à des réformes économiques et politiques. Le pays est privé d’aide depuis onze ans. Mais selon la presse locale du 19 janvier, M. Clay a affirmé que le gouvernement britannique est déterminé à apporter son assistance aux projets communautaires au Kenya afin d’améliorer la vie des populations. -D’autre part, le 17 juin, lors de sa visite au pays, le ministre français délégué à la Coopération, Charles Josselin, a qualifié le Kenya de partenaire privilégié de la coopération française avec les pays de l’Afrique de l’Est. M. Josselin a indiqué que la France souhaite renforcer sa présence en Afrique de l’Est en utilisant le Kenya comme porte d’entrée, dans le cadre de sa nouvelle politique africaine qui englobe tout le continent. Les deux pays ont signé deux conventions dans lesquelles la France va débloquer 2,5 milliards de shillings kényans. (D’après PANA, Sénégal, 18-20 janvier 2002)

* Kenya. Bribery drives up the cost of living — Two-thirds of interactions with Kenya’s public institutions involve paying a bribe, or costly consequences for declining to do so, according to Transparency International, the Berlin-based corruption watchdog. Monthly bribery payments are equivalent to a 31 per cent increase in the cost of living for ordinary households, Transparency International said in a report published on 18 January. The report, the Kenya Urban Bribery Index, is the first attempt in Africa to quantify the extent of bribery in a country that is synonymous with systematic graft — and a case study for international donors’ efforts to tie aid flows to improved governance. While the findings, based on interviews with 1,200 Kenyan urban dwellers, contain few surprises to people who face daily requests for kitu kidogo, or «something small», the group hopes the study provides a solid statistical basis for anti-corruption campaigners to decide where to focus their efforts. «The research of corruption is in its infancy and a lot of the discourse has been based on perceptions,» said David Ndii, who conducted the research. One important conclusion, he said, was that the cost of rampant petty corruption was «many times bigger» than that of top-level scams, although it was also clear that organisations such as the Kenya police had institutionalised low-level graft, with senior policemen getting a share of shakedowns. (Financial Times, UK, 21 January 2002)

* Kenya. School fire trial starts — 21 January: Two schoolboys have gone on trial in Kenya, for the murder of 67 fellow pupils. They are accused of starting a fire in their dormitory because they were angry with the school authorities. Teenagers Felix Ngumbao and Davis Onyango have pleaded not guilty to starting the fire at Kyanguli Secondary School in Machakos, near the capital, Nairobi. Kyanguli headmaster David Mutiso Kiilu and his deputy, Stephen Kasyoka Makau, have both been charged with failing to prevent a felony. Prosecutor Horace Okumu said the two boys, aged 16, had a range of grievances against the school — the cancellation of exams after accusations of cheating, the alleged misappropriation of school funds and poor food and accommodation. The accused showed no emotion as the names of the 67 pupils who died were read out. Felix Ngumbao, described by the prosecutor as the instigator of the alleged arson, took notes as Mr Okumu outlined his case. One of the two doors to the dormitory was locked, and the windows were barred, trapping students in the inferno, survivors said. Mr Okumu said Mr Ngumbao had hidden 10 litres of petrol inside his suitcase. The smell of petrol had been reported before the fire but only the school grounds were searched, not the dormitory. Mr Okumu said that when the other boys were asleep, they poured the petrol on the floor and set it alight. Around half of the schoolboys managed to escape, 58 died inside the school and another nine died from their burns in hospital. If found guilty, the pair could be detained «at the pleasure of the president», meaning life imprisonment, because they are under 18. (BBC News, UK, 21 January 2002)

* Kenya. Kenya plans coffee shake-up — The coffee industry in Kenya is in line for a major shake up. The government is to introduce new laws in early April to boost sales of coffee, one of the country’s biggest exports. Global oversupply has seen coffee prices slump, as many coffee growers across the developing world have produced too much coffee which they have simultaneously released into the world market. Currently, the industry is marketed and regulated by Coffee Board of Kenya —now it appears that the marketing role will be adopted by the Kenya Planters’ Co-Operative Union. David Bogwa, spokesman for the Coffee Board of Kenya said: «Our organisation will not be doing any marketing, it will basically be a regulatory body. It is not possible to say what will happen...people are just putting their ideas together and looking to the future.» The Coffee Board of Kenya will continue to regulate the industry. (BBC News, UK, 21 January 2002)

* Liberia. Forêt menacée — Une équipe d’écologistes en visite au Liberia déclare que le “taux alarmant” d’abattage des arbres au Liberia menace son statut de pays abritant “la plus importante forêt” dans la région d’Afrique de l’Ouest, rapporte la presse le 18 janvier. Peter Seligmann, directeur exécutif de Conservation International (CI), révèle que les 30% de forêt restant au Liberia et qui couvrent 1,5 million d’hectares (la plus grance superficie en Afrique de l’Ouest) sont menacés par un abattage aveugle. Des scientifiques ont classé la forêt libérienne parmi les 25 “zones de biodiversité” du monde. L’abattage fait peser une menace sur la faune et la flore. CI est prêt à investir dans les forêts du Liberia. (PANA, Sénégal, 18 janvier 2002)

* Libya. Lockerbie appeal — The appeal of the Libyan convicted of the Lockerbie bombing starts on 23 January, amid indications that the political process surrounding the 13-year-old case may have outstripped the legal one. The gradual rehabilitation of Libya from its pariah, terrorist status appears likely to continue, even if Abdel Basset Ali Mohammed al-Megrahi wins his appeal. The UK, US and Libya are in negotiations about lifting the US and United Nations sanctions imposed on Libya after the Lockerbie bombing. The latest talks were held in London earlier this month and further meetings are scheduled. The US and UN have said that the sanctions will remain until Libya accepts responsibility for the 1988 bombing and agrees to pay compensation to the families of the 270 people killed when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded above the Scottish town. Success for Mr al-Megrahi — who was jailed for life a year ago by Scottish judges sitting at a special court in Zeist, in the Netherlands — would be embarrassing for the US and the UK. It would mean no one had been convicted for a crime long laid at Libya’s door by the west. The legal grounds for the appeal — likely to last up to six weeks — have not been disclosed, causing speculation about the defence team’s strategy. Mr al-Megrahi has always maintained his innocence, saying he was an airline official and not — as the prosecution claimed — a Libyan intelligence officer. His co-defendant at the original trial, Lamen Khalifa Fhimah, was found not guilty by the judges. Britain and the US insist that the appeal outcome will not affect their stance on the sanctions. (Editor’s update: The appeal is being heard at Camp Zeist. At the start of the hearing, the defense team issued a nine-page submission detailing their grounds for appeal. The panel of five judges hearing the appeal is headed by Lord Cullen, the Lord Justice General. (Financial Times, UK, 23 January 2002)

* Libye. Lockerbie: procès en appel — Le jugement en appel de l’agent libyen Abdel  Masset el Megrahi, condamné en janvier 2001 à la perpétuité pour l’attentat de Lockerbie, a débuté sur l’ancienne base américaine du Camp Zeist, aux Pays-Bas. Un autre Libyen avait été acquitté lors du procès en première instance. Les audiences dureront environ trois semaines. On ignore toujours quel est le motif de l’appel, mais les avocats de Megrahi ont déclaré qu’ils pourraient apporter de nouvelles preuves. (Reuters, 23 janvier 2002)

* Madagascar. Le climat politique se dégrade — Les comités de soutien au candidat à la présidentielle Marc Ravalomanana ont opposé une fin de non-recevoir à la proposition de la Haute cour constitutionnelle (HCC) de confier la comparaison des résultats du scrutin au Conseil national électoral, et ont décidé de reprendre le chemin de la contestation populaire le vendredi 18 janvier. Au fur et à mesure que le temps passe, le climat politique devient plus sombre, estiment les observateurs. Selon le quotidien Made Tribune, il semblerait cependant que certains partisans du maire de la capitale soient pour la recherche d’un apaisement et voudraient accepter l’initiative des sages de la HCC. D’autres entendent poursuivre le mouvement “jusqu’à la victoire finale”. Le 19 janvier, des dizaines de milliers de manifestants se sont à nouveau rassemblés au centre d’Antananarivo, réclamant du pouvoir qu’il reconnaisse la victoire de leur champion. - D’autre part, selon le journal français Le Monde du dimanche 20 janvier, la question ethnique est entrée dans le débat politique. Le vendredi, le président sortant Ratsiraka a lancé: “Nous sommes à la veille d’une dictature nazie”. Des tracts ont appelé la nation à “ne pas laisser notre patrie entre les mains d’un colonialiste raciste”. Ravalomanana est un Merina, originaire des Hauts Plateaux de Madagascar. Pendant des siècles, le royaume merina a exercé sa suprématie sur le pays. Fiers de revendiquer de lointaines origines asiatiques, les Merinas se considèrent comme l’élite du pays. Depuis l’indépendance, aucun Merina n’est parvenu à s’installer au palais présidentiel. - 22 janvier. Le Conseil national électoral (CNE), chargé par la HCC d’effectuer la comparaison des procès-verbaux des résultats de la présidentielle, vient de refuser de le faire, en expliquant que cette mission n’est pas de sa compétence. “En l’état actuel des textes, aucune disposition constitutionnelle ni légale ne nous permet de le faire”, ont indiqué les responsables du CNE. Par ailleurs, selon les observateurs sur place, on observe un essoufflement du mouvement de contestation; les manifestants étaient deux fois moins nombreux lors des derniers rassemblements. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 22 janvier 2002)

* Mali. Hosting a «great big party» — 17 January: Mali’s President Alpha Oumar Konare is facing one of the biggest challenges in his  political career. He is expected to oversee the smooth running of the African Cup of Nations 2002, however the most expensive tournament Mali has ever hosted is already facing domestic strife from trade unionists and students. With just two days to go, the police union has called a strike and students have blocked some of the capital’s roads. Many Malians say this is a party Mali can ill-afford — a party on borrowed money. The World Bank and the IMF offered no assistance. Mali borrowed $90 million from China. But many Malians are thrilled that their country will be in the limelight and there are even some who believe their team is going to win the cup. 18 January: The South African government says it has donated $900,000 to the organising committee of the African Cup of Nations. The aid package also includes 17 buses, 30 cars and a 37-seater aircraft to fly teams and officials to and from up-country venues. 19 January: Opening of the African Nations Cup. (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 19 January 2002)

* Mali. Foot: CAN 2002 — Le 19 janvier, Bamako a célébré le lancement de la 23e “Coupe d’Afrique des Nations” (CAN), organisée par le Mali. Créée en 1957, la CAN se dispute tous les deux ans. Seize équipes participent à cette phase finale: Algérie, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Afrique du Sud, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Maroc, Cameroun, Congo-RDC, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Egypte, Sénégal, Tunisie, Zambie. Le match initial a opposé le Mali au Liberia; score: 1-1. Les demi-finales auront lieu le 7 février, et la finale le 10 février à Bamako. (D’après Libération, France, 21 janvier 2002)

* Maroc. Nouveau barrage — Le 21 janvier, le roi Mohammed VI a lancé près de Tétouan (nord) les travaux d’un barrage qui permettra la gestion de 13 millions de m3 d’eau, destinée essentiellement à l’alimentation en eau potable et à l’irrigation. Le barrage permettra aussi de protéger la ville de Tétouan contre les inondations. La réalisation de l’ouvrage nécessitera une enveloppe budgétaire de près de 58 millions d’euros. Les travaux commenceront en février et dureront 36 mois. (PANA, Sénégal, 21 janvier 2002)

* Morocco. Second in line to throne leaves Morocco — Moulay Hicham, the second in line to the Moroccan throne who broke royal ranks over his cousin King Mohammed VI’s reform programme, has left the country for an indefinite period. The prince — nicknamed the Red Prince in Morocco for his left-leaning, progressive views — said he had been harassed by the police and needed to put an end to an «unhealthy tension» with the royal family. Shortly before flying out of the country, he said he was moving to the United States and would live close to New York. (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 23 January 2002)