* Rwanda. Malaise dans l’armée — Le commandant Dan Munyoza, qui dirigea longtemps de Bureau Congo avant d’être mis à la tête de la police militaire, a été mis aux arrêts à Kigali. Cité par le rapport de l’Onu sur le pillage au Congo, cet officier avait été envoyé en stage au Ghana et fut longtemps très proche du président Kagame. Sa mise à l’écart s’inscrit dans un contexte de nouvelles tensions militaires avec l’Ouganda. (Le Soir, Belgique, 25 janvier 2003)

* Rwanda. Evêque mort en détention — Le 24 janvier, l’évêque anglican Samuel Musabyimana, 45 ans, qui était détenu au centre de détention du Tribunbal pénal international pour le Rwanda à Arusha, sous l’inculpation de participation au génocide de 1994, a succombé “aux suites d’une longue maladie”, a déclaré un porte-parole du TPIR. Musabyimana était accusé de génocide et de crimes contre l’humanité en rapport avec le massacre de Tutsi dans le diocèse de Shyogwe (province de Gitarama) dont il était évêque. (La Libre Belgique, 27 janvier 2003)

* Sao Tome e Principe. Efforts to avert constitutional crisis — Sao Tome and Principe’s Prime Minister, Maria das Neves, and Chief Justice, Alice Graca, launched an attempt to avert a constitutional crisis on the archipelago following the dissolution of parliament on 21 January by President Fradique de Menezes. Neves and Graca met de Menezes on 23 January to discuss a possible compromise that could nullify the dissolution of parliament and avoid early elections. The compromise would oblige parliament to pledge to organize a referendum on some constitutional changes, namely those reducing presidential powers. A constitutional crisis had loomed after several parliamentary leaders threatened to ignore the dissolution decree and denounced Menezes’ actions as «unconstitutional». They said de Menezes was headed towards «dictatorship». The parliament had earlier approved a constitutional reform package limiting presidential powers which de Menezes vetoed. The main political parties, the Sao Tome and Principe Liberation Movement (MLSTP) and the coalition of the Democratic Movement Force for Change and the Party of Democratic Convergence, (MDFM-PCD) criticised the veto. Sao Tome and Principe is an island chain of 150,000 people just off the West African country of Gabon. However, on 28 January,  the President overruled his earlier decision to dissolve Parliament. (IRIN, Kenya, 24 & 28 January 2003)

* Sénégal. Les paysans demandent un dialogue — Le 26 janvier, la principale organisation paysanne du Sénégal, le Conseil national de concertation et de coopération des ruraux (CNCR , qui se réclame de 3,5 millions de membres) a demandé au gouvernement sénégalais d’ouvrir “dans les plus brefs délais” des négociations “franches et sincères, suivies de décisions” sur la situation du monde rural. Lors d’un rassemblement qui a réuni quelque 8.000 personnes à Dakar, les ruraux ont souhaité la convocation d’assises nationales sur le monde rural dont “plus de 70% vivent en dessous du seuil d’extrême pauvreté”. L’agriculture paysanne est en crise depuis la fin des années 1970. Le CNCR affirme son engagement à combattre “toute politique qui ne donnerait pas la priorité à l’agriculture paysanne”. Le ministre sénégalais de l’Agriculture et de l’Elevage, qui assistait à la rencontre, a souligné la volonté du gouvernement de relancer le secteur dont il veut faire l’un des piliers de l’économie nationale. (PANA, Sénégal, 26 janvier 2003)

* Sénégal. Grève des enseignants — Le 28 janvier, 13 syndicats d’enseignants de l’élémentaire et du secondaire regroupés au sein d’une intersyndicale ont entamé une grève “d’avertissement” de 48 heures pour protester contre le refus du gouvernement de revoir à la hausse leurs différentes indemnités. Selon l’intersyndicale, “le gouvernement ne manifeste aucune volonté pour régler les revendications”. Mais le ministre du Budget estime que la hausse réclamée coûterait à l’Etat entre 7,8 et 22 milliards de francs CFA et que ces dépenses ne pourront pas être prises en charge dans le budget voté le mois passé. Le 23 janvier, l’intersyndicale avait déjà observé une grève de 24 heures et organisé des marches de protestation. (PANA, Sénégal, 28 janvier 2003)

* Somalia. Peace Conference — 27 January: Somali leaders attending the peace talks in the Kenyan town of Eldoret have proposed that extra delegates be allocated to represent the self-declared republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia, according to one of the leaders. Col Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmad, the president of the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeastern Somalia, says the leaders’ committee had agreed to propose to the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development technical committee «to give Somaliland 50 extra delegates and five members in the leaders’ committee». The leaders’ committee comprises representatives of faction leaders, the Transitional National Government and five members of civil society. Abdullahi Yusuf says the leaders have arrived at this decision for the sake of Somali unity. «We don’t want to form a government without Somaliland,» he said. «We should involve them and consult them. This kind of  incentive is for the sake of Somali unity.» 28 January: A Somali professor says that his arm was broken by thugs hired by warlords at the ongoing peace talks in the Kenyan town of Eldoret. Professor Mohammed Abdi Gandhi says that he was beaten up after he and other representatives of civil society, including women, stormed a meeting of warlords. They were arguing about how many delegates each side should have when the talks attempt to draw up a new constitution and end 12 years of anarchy in Somalia. Three months of talks have produced an agreement to stop fighting while discussions continue but have been bogged down in arguments about numbers. Over 1,000 delegates turned up when but donors have said they will only continue to pay the hotel bills for the 300 they originally invited. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 28 January 2003)

* South Africa. TRC‘s final report cleared for publication — The last obstacle to the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has been removed. In an out-of-court settlement in Cape Town, the TRC has agreed to amend a number of sections which blaimed the mainly-Zulu Inkatha Freedom Party for human rights abuses during the final year of apartheid. The final report is now set to be published in the first half of this year, opening the way for victims of the apartheid era to receive compensation. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 29 January 2003)

* Soudan. L’Ouganda et la SPLA — Le 23 janvier, alors que les négociations de paix entre le gouvernement de Khartoum et l’Armée/Mouvement de libération des peuples du Soudan (SPLM/A) reprenaient à Nairobi, le Soudan a exprimé sa préoccupation au sujet de la poursuite du soutien de l’Ouganda à la SPLA du colonel Garang. En 1999, Kampala et les autorités soudanaises avaient décidé d’arrêter de soutenir les rebelles combattant leurs gouvernements respectifs, la SPLA d’une part, et l’Armée de résistance du Seigneur (LRA) d’autre part, toujours active dans le nord de l’Ouganda. Khartoum a maintenant affirmé que l’Ouganda continuait à autoriser l’introduction d’armes sur son territoire en faveur des régions contrôlées par la SPLA et que Kampala entraînait ces combattants. “Nous avons rempli notre part de l’accord en coopérant sur la question de la LRA, mais l’Ouganda ne coopère pas sur la question de la SPLA”, a souligné Khartoum. (D’après PANA, Sénégal, 23 janvier 2003)

* Sudan. Peace talks restart — 23 January: Peace talks between the government of Sudan and the country’s main rebel group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLA/M), restart in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, after a nine-week break. Yesterday, the mediation team conducted separate consultations with the two delegations regarding the proposed programme and agenda for the talks. A statement issued by the United Nations, today, welcomes the resumption  of the peace talks (known as the Machakos process) and the «considerable progress» made to ensure access for UN agencies and aid organisations to war-affected populations. — So far, the rebels and government have agreed to the broad outlines of power and wealth sharing, and in November they signed a cease-fire that is supposed to last for the duration of the negotiations. They have also signed a protocol providing for the separation of state and religion in southern Sudan, and a referendum on self-determination for the south in six years. However, both sides have accused the other of violating the cease-fire and have yet to agree on the allocation of positions in an interim administration as well as how wealth and resources should be shared. The latest round of talks, which are being held just outside Nairobi, are scheduled to end on 5 February. 26 January: Heavy fighting is taking place between Sudanese government forces and the country’s main rebel group, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, in Western Upper Nile (Wahdah State). «Intense fighting» is takes place between ground troops from both sides, south of the garrison town of Leer for about one hour. 27 January: MISNA reports that the SPLA‘s leader, John Garang, has suspended the negotiations in Nairobi following the recapture of Leer, Upper Nile Region, by government troops. Garang wants to evaluate what action to take with his delegation. 28 January: The SPLA/M resume the peace talks, although their full delegation is not present. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 28 January 2003)

* Soudan. Cessez-le-feu rompu — Le 27 janvier, les rebelles soudanais ont annoncé que les troupes gouvernementales avaient pris la ville de Ler, dans le sud, rompant ainsi le cessez-le-feu accepté par les deux parties qui participent actuellement àNairobi à des pourparlers de paix. Selon le gouvernement, cette ville était sous leur contrôle depuis longtemps. La trêve signée par l’Armée populaire de libération du Soudan (SPLA) et Khartoum devait tenir jusqu’au 31 mars, mais elle a déjà été rompue à plusieurs reprises. Les discussions de Nairobi doivent aborder les questions délicates du partage du pouvoir et de la répartition des revenus pétroliers. Suite à cette nouvelle rupture de la trêve, le chef de la SPLA, John Garang, a décidé de suspendre les négociations de Nairobi et d’évaluer les actions à entreprendre avec sa délégation. Le 28 janvier, une équipe de militaires américains ont quitté Khartoum pour le Sud-Soudan pour enquêter sur la situation. Ils sont attendus à Nairobi, où ils devraient soumettre leurs conclusions aux médiateurs. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 28 janvier 2003)

* Swaziland. Wasteful government spending — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has blamed wasteful government spending on luxury items for Swaziland’s inability to pull itself out of poverty. Based  on an annual survey of the economy, the IMF report to government said: «The serious economic situation in Swaziland, with the food shortage and continued spread of HIV/AIDS, exacerbates the already severe impact of persistent high unemployment, income inequity and poverty.» In general, the IMF found the government’s economic policies needed overhauling, and failure to do so was «holding down Swaziland’s growth prospects and preventing improvements in the standard of living. Meeting these challenges would require a return to fiscal discipline and reorienting spending toward critical social sectors and humanitarian priorities," the report said. In particular, the bank faulted government’s pursuit of a US $72 million private jet for King Mswati III. «The acquisition of a new airplane for the King would crowd out social needs and deter donor support while depleting foreign exchange reserves,» the IMF said. Responding to the IMF‘s economic assessment Minister of Finance Majozi Sithole told reporters: «We don’t necessarily have to be told by people from the outside how the country’s economic affairs should be managed.» (IRIN, Kenya, 23 January 2003)

* Tunisie. Grèves de la faim — Le 24 janvier, 17 militants tunisiens des droits de l’homme dans cinq pays européens ont entamé une grève de la faim de deux jours par “solidarité” avec un journaliste et un dirigeant islamiste détenus en Tunisie, annonce un communiqué du mouvement Ennadha (parti islamiste interdit). “L’état de santé du journaliste et membre dirigeant du mouvement Ennadha, Hammadi Jebali, condamné à 17 ans de prison, continue de se dégrader après son douzième jour de grève de la faim, ainsi que celui de Zouhair Yahyaoui”, fondateur d’un site internet dissident, souligne le texte. (Le Soir, Belgique, 25 janvier 2003)

* Uganda/Kenya. Former Ugandan rebels register for amnesty — A total of 358 Ugandans based in Kenya have registered with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to take advantage of an amnesty offered by the Ugandan government to former rebels. The programme — funded by the US government and the European Union — is aimed at helping former rebels from the Lord’s Resistance Army, but could also incorporate people from other rebel factions, he said. The Ugandan Amnesty Commission is interviewing the former rebels in Nairobi, after which those who are found to be genuine will be transported to Uganda by the IOM. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 28 January 2003)

* Western Sahara. 2 month MINURSO extension recommended — UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended the extension, by two months, of the UN mission in Western Sahara in order to give time to the conflicting parties to consider a recent UN-backed  settlement plan. Annan’s recommendation was contained in his latest report to the Security Council on the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). MINURSO‘s mandate was set to end on 31 January, following a six-month extension in July 2002. The Tuesday recommendation would extend the mandate to 31 March. (IRIN, Kenya, 22 January 2003)

* Zambie. Aide alimentaire française — La Zambie recevra un million d’euros de la France pour l’achat de maïs destiné aux Zambiens menacés de famine, a indiqué le 23 janvier à Lusaka, le secrétaire d’Etat français chargé des Affaires étrangères, M. Renaux Muselier. Le don sera envoyé par l’intermédiaire du PAM. Il a ajouté que la France allait offrir 600.000 euros à des ONG s’occupant des enfants défavorisés en Zambie. La Zambie est un des six pays d’Afrique australe menacés par la famine. M. Muselier a déjà visité le Malawi. Après la Zambie, il se rendra au Botswana. (PANA, Sénégal, 23 janvier 2003)

* Zambie. Sida: femmes victimes — Les femmes de Zambie souffrent du virus VIH à un niveau cinq fois supérieur aux hommes en raison du fait qu’elles sont victimes d’abus sexuels, le plus souvent impunis, indique un rapport publié le 28 janvier par l’organisation américaine Human Rights Watch. L’Afrique noire est la région du monde la plus touchée par le sida. En Zambie, plus d’un adulte sur cinq est infecté. (La Croix, France, 29 janvier 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Latest wave of arrests and torture signal bleak future — In a Press release on 24 January, Amnesty International called on the Zimbabwean authorities to end immediately the cycle of harassment, arrest and torture of those who defend human rights and are critical of the government. The organisation said: «Human rights defenders who expose human rights abuses risk arrest and torture. Those who defend an independent judiciary or the right to peacefully express opinions, are subject to intimidation or unfair legal process». (Amnesty International, 24 January 2003)

* Zimbabwe. France scuppers EU/Zimbabwe sanctions — 23 January: France has confirmed that it is inviting Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe to take part in a meeting of African leaders next month. Mr Mugabe is currently banned from entering the European Union because of doubts about the legitimacy of his re-election last year. But French Foreign Ministry spokesman François Rivasseau said he was being invited in order to discuss human rights and democracy. The EU travel ban, along with a freeze on his assets, were imposed last February and the UK Government will seek to renew it at a meeting of foreign ministers next week. If the sanctions are not extended, Mr Mugabe would be able to attend the summit on 19 February, the day after they are due to expire. Zimbabwe’s opposition  Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has condemned the French offer. «Any avenue granted to Mugabe to attend international meetings at which he is treated as a statesman and an equal is an affront to the feelings of the people of Zimbabwe,» said MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai. «It amounts to a recognition and support of Mugabe’s gruesome record at home.» UK minister Peter Hain said: «As far as we are concerned he is not welcome in Europe. Our views on his odious regime are well known and the way he is devastating his country. I am sure the French share that view.» A total of 72 people closely linked to Zimbabwe’s leaders are subject to EU sanctions. The United States has also imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe’s leaders following Mr Mugabe’s controversial re-election. 27 January: European Union foreign ministers are meeting shortly to decide whether to renew sanctions against the government of President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. Current sanctions include a travel ban on senior government figures. France argues that EU sanctions against Zimbabwe allow officials to attend meetings in Europe if the focus is on human rights and democracy. — The EU‘s policy on Zimbabwe is in disarray later in the day, as foreign ministers fail to agree on a new package of sanctions. Another attempt will have to be made to forge consensus. EU ambassadors are expected to meet on the issue later in the week. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 27 January 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Mugabe à Paris? — 23 janvier. Le président français Jacques Chirac a invité son homologue zimbabwéen Robert Mugabe à se rendre au sommet France-Afrique qui se déroulera du 19 au 21 février à Paris. Mais à la demande du Royaume Uni, Mugabe avait été sanctionné par l’Union européenne et interdit de séjour dans l’UE. Cette sanction arrive à échéance le 18 février. Le 27 janvier, les ministres des Affaires étrangères des Quinze doivent décider à l’unanimité s’ils reconduisent la mesure. Selon The Guardian, Paris menacerait d’exercer son droit de veto si Londres maintient son opposition à la venue de Mugabe. Paris assure que le texte prévoit des dérogations “pour conduire un dialogue politique visant à promouvoir la démocratie, l’Etat de droit et les droits de l’homme au Zimbabwe”. - Le 25 janvier, la Grande-Bretagne, la Suède, les Pays-Bas et l’Allemagne ont officiellement émis des objections à l’invitation lancée à Mugabe. Le 27 janvier, les ministres européens des Affaires étrangères, réunis à Bruxelles, se sont séparés sans avoir pu s’entendre ni sur une prolongation des sanctions contre le Zimbabwe, ni sur l’octroi d’une dérogation à la France pour inviter M. Mugabe à Paris en février. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 28 janvier 2003)

* Zimbabwe. England team revolt on Harare — English cricket was plunged into its deepest crisis since the rebel tours of South Africa yesterday when  Nasser Hussain and his players called for their controversial World Cup match in Zimbabwe to be rescheduled. In a statement that raises the possibility of a boycott by the 15-man squad and places them in conflict with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the players called on the International Cricket Council to relocate the game to South Africa. In marked contrast with the ECB, which has repeatedly said it can consider only financial, security and «cricketing» issues, the players said moral and political doubts over the match had informed their decision. «The England players urgently request the Zimbabwe match on February 13 be moved to South Africa,» the statement said. «Without doubt the issues have been weighing heavily on the players’ minds, taking into account the moral, political and contractual aspects.» In the statement the players cited increasing unrest in Zimbabwe and concerns that the match could be a focus for protests against Robert Mugabe’s government. «The players are greatly concerned for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and especially for opposition supporters, who may be targeted by the police using brute force as indicated by the FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office]. It is very important that no Zimbabwean, or any individual, comes to any harm because of a cricket match in Harare.» The players’ opposition to the game, decided at a team meeting in Melbourne on 25 January, is far more entrenched than the ECB anticipated and leaves the squad in direct conflict with their employer. (The Guardian, UK, 28 January 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Call for UN force to check food distribution — Zanu-PF membership cards have been in such demand over the past few weeks in Harare they have run out. There is no mystery behind the sudden popularity of the ruling party in Zimbabwe’s capital, notoriously an opposition stronghold. The «Green Bombers», a new Zanu-PF youth militia that has taken to presiding over the long queues for food, now demand to see people’s party cards. Those without them are given a simple choice: they can enrol on the spot and keep their place in the queue, along with their hope of being able to buy enough to feed their families; or they can refuse and be beaten up for their defiance. At most, they can hope to be allowed to leave the queue unharmed. Small wonder the Green Bombers’ unorthodox enrolment campaign has been such a success. People are vulnerable. The food shortages, until recently confined to the rural areas, have spread to the cities. The World Food Programme (WFP), which has been co-ordinating relief efforts for nearly a year, is now starting urban feeding schemes. Until now, the WFP has endeavoured not to be drawn into Zimbabwe’s increasingly bitter political crisis. It has engaged with the government of President Robert Mugabe, accepting the decline of the rule of law in exchange for being allowed to operate unhindered. But now even the tolerant WFP has had enough. In his meeting with Mr Mugabe last weekend in  Harare, James Morris, WFP director, suggested bringing a United Nations taskforce in to monitor the government’s food distribution to verify its impartiality. (Financial Times, UK, 28 January 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Harare police break up mayor’s meeting — 29 January: The police fired tear gas at hundreds of residents of the capital, Harare, yesterday, as they entered the office of the mayor. Mayor Elias Mudzuri, who is from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), says he was trying to inform his constituents about water shortages. He said this was the only way he could communicate with rate-payers because state-owned media refuse to interview him or even carry his adverts. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 29 January 2003)