* Nigeria. Appel à l’aide — Plus de 100.000 personnes ont été déplacées à la suite d’affrontements au nord et au sud du Nigeria. Le 7 mars, la Croix-Rouge, seule ONG sur place, a lancé un appel à l’aide humanitaire internationale. Plus de 200 personnes sont déjà décédées au cours de leur fuite, de blessures ou de faim. (Libération, France, 8 mars 2003)

* Nigeria. Pénurie de produits pétroliers — Le 10 mars, la Société nationale nigériane des hydrocarbures (NNPC) et les principales sociétés de commercialisation des produits pétroliers n’ont pas réussi à s’entendre sur la manière de mettre un terme à la pénurie qui frappe ce pays producteur de pétrole depuis deux semaines. Les deux parties se sont mutuellement accusées d’être à l’origine de cette situation. Les distributeurs accusent la NNPC de ne pas fournir assez de produits et de refuser son aide à l’importation de carburant. De son côté, la NNPC accuse les distributeurs de détourner les produits et de détenir des stocks qu’ils refusent de mettre sur le marché. (D’après PANA, Sénégal, 10 mars 2003)

* Nigeria. Catholic Bishops’ Conference — 7 March: The search for an enduring peace in the nation; the sustenance of democracy and the success of the forthcoming elections will be the focus of the deliberations of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, when it holds its First Plenary Assembly for 2003, at Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre, Abuja, 11-14 March 2003. The theme of the meeting is: «Seeking The Way of Peace». In view of recent events in the country, the Bishops decided to address this theme to promote further reconciliation and peace among the people of God. During the same period, the Catholic University of Nigeria (CUNA) will be launched on 13 March at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The venture is intended to be a monumental gift of the entire Catholic Church to the Nigerian nation. President Obasanjo will be the Special Guest of Honour at the launching. 12 March: In his homily during the opening Mass, Archbishop Felix Alaba Job of Ibadan regretted «the sad situation of our country and the world». He called on the leadership of both Church and State «to learn to heed the yearnings of the people, and minimize their sufferings». The president of the Conference, Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja in his welcome address, reminded Catholics going into partisan politics that they have the social teachings of the Church to guide them in the pursuit of justice and the service of the Common Good. (Catholic Secretariat, Nigeria, 7 & 12 March 2003)

* Nigeria. Les évêques pour la paix — Le 11 mars, les évêques du Nigeria se sont réunis en assemblée plénière à Abuja. Durant trois jours, ils se pencheront sur le thème “En cherchant les voies de la paix”. Ils veulent promouvoir la réconciliation dans leur pays souvent déchiré par de violents contrastes sur fond ethnico-religieux, relancer la paix et soutenir la démocratie en vue des élections générales prévues le 19 avril prochain, dont la préparation a déjà été marquée par une série de violences. (D’après Misna, Italie, 11 mars 2003)

* Nigeria. Embuscade criminelle: 17 victimes — Le dimanche 9 mars, des bandits armés ont ouvert le feu sur deux autobus, tuant 17 passagers, sur la route menant d’Abuja à Kaduna, dans le nord du pays. Les deux autobus sont tombés dans une embuscade au niveau du village de Katari, à environ 90 km au nord d’Abuja. Les bandits ont fait signe aux autobus de s’arrêter, mais les conducteurs, réalisant qu’il s’agissait de voleurs, ont poursuivi leur route. Les agresseurs ont alors ouvert le feu sur les autobus. (Le Figaro, France, 11 mars 2003)

* Rwanda. Le chouchou de Washington — Le voyage de Paul Kagamé à Washington, le 4 mars, a permis de resserrer les relations entre Kigali et Washington. Juste avant son départ, le chef de l’Etat rwandais, qui soutient fermement George W. Bush dans l’affaire irakienne, s’est vu décerner un brevet de bonne gouvernance par la Banque mondiale. Un rapport de l’institution financière dresse en effet le classement des pays les plus respectueux de la liberté économique et qui, du coup, ont toutes les chances d’être déclarés éligibles au programme MCA (Millennium Challenge Account), pour lequel un fonds de 5 milliards de dollars a été créé, au mois de novembre 2002, par l’administration américaine. Ce rapport place le Rwanda en tête des 74 pays étudiés, mais d’autres pays africains figurent en plus ou moins bonne place au palmarès. C’est notamment le cas du Mozambique, du Malawi, du Ghana, du Sénégal, de l’Ethiopie et du Togo. Pour Kigali, cette distinction est une belle victoire sur ses voisins, et néanmoins adversaires: l’Ouganda n’est que 28e, alors que le Congo-RDC n’est même pas classé. (J.A.I., France, 9-15 mars 2003)

* Sénégal. Limousine à 8 portes — Un chef religieux sénégalais, Serigne Mansour Sy, s’est offert “la deuxième limousine du monde à huit portes”, une Lincoln “unique en Afrique”, a rapporté le quotidien sénégalais Le Matin. “L’autre prototype existant serait aux Etats-Unis (...), il n’y en aurait que deux dans le monde”. Le journal publie une photo du véhicule de “onze mètres”. Selon le reporter, “le véhicule est bien stationné dans le garage, au domicile d’un de ses fils”. La luxueuse voiture a été achetée à 1,25 milliard de fcfa (1,9 million d’euros), écrit le journal citant le chef religieux, actuel khalife général des Tidiane, une des plus puissantes confréries musulmanes du Sénégal. (AFP, France, 6 mars 2003)

* Sierra Leone. War crimes arrests — 10 March: The chief prosecutor for the United Nations war crimes tribunal in Sierra Leone has announced the arrest of a senior government politician and three former rebel leaders. Those detained are the Sierra Leone Minister of Internal Affairs, Sam Hinga Norman, and the former rebel leaders Issa Sesay, Maurice Kallon and Gibril Massaquoi, all of the Revolutionary United Front. The rebel Foday Sankoh, who was already in prison facing treason charges, was also transferred into the hands of the court. «Today the people of Sierra Leone took back control of their lives and their future... The dark days of the rule of the gun are over,» the chief prosecutor David Crane said. Mr Norman, now minister of Internal Affairs, was a leader of the Kamajors militia, which supported the government during the civil war. Both the Kamajors and the rebels were accused of widespread brutality, including rape arson and plunder of civilian property. The RUF are especially linked to the live amputation of limbs including those of young children. The five arrested were taken away by helicopter to a secure but undisclosed prison outside the capital. Two others, Johnny Paul Koroma and Sam Bockarie, are still at large, but have been indicted. The United Nations set up the Sierra Leone tribunal to indict and try those considered to have the greatest responsibility for war crimes. The first hearings are due to start shortly. However the court fears unrest as a result of its actions. 11 March: Sierra Leoneans welcome the speed with which the UN War Crimes Tribunal has proceeded. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 11 March 2003)

* Sierra Leone. Tribunal spécial de l’Onu — Le lundi 10 mars, le tribunal spécial des Nations unies pour les crimes de guerre en Sierra Leone a inculpé l’ancien chef de la rébellion, Foday Sankoh, et l’actuel ministre de l’Intérieur, Sam Hinga Norman. Ce tribunal est chargé de juger les personnes accusées d’avoir commis des atrocités durant la guerre civile de dix ans (1991-2001) qui a fait au moins 200.000 victimes. Déjà emprisonné, Foday Sankoh, ancien chef du Front révolutionnaire uni (RUF), a été inculpé avec ses lieutenants Issa Sesay, Morris Kallon et Sam Bockarie. Arrêté lundi, M. Norman était le chef des milices progouvernementales Kamajor. L’ancien chef de la junte, Johnny Paul Koroma, a également été inculpé, mais demeure introuvable, de même que Sam Bockarie. Selon le procureur, ces hommes sont accusés de “meurtre, viol, extermination, actes de terreur, esclavage, pillages et incendies, esclavage sexuel, enrôlement forcé d’enfants”, entre autres chefs d’inculpation. (Le Figaro, France, 12 mars 2003)

* Somalia. Negotiating a Blueprint for Peace in Somalia — A report published by the International Crisis Group on 6 March, says that Somalia’s peace talks are in danger of collapsing and need stronger leadership from mediators, the international community and Somali factions themselves. A serious problem is that faction leaders and civil society representatives are self-appointed, with real risk that the negotiations will produce another «government-in-exile» unable to provide a working administration inside the country that represents popular will. The 27 October 2002 ceasefire has been violated so often it is practically meaningless. The Leaders Committee of the Conference appears tempted to try for a «quick fix», by declaring an interim government first and leaving details of a durable settlement to be worked out later. If there is to be hope of success, the new chairman and his team must redirect the process toward constructing a comprehensive blueprint for peace and governance. (International Crisis Group, Belgium, 6 March 2003)

* Somalia. Border alert — 11 March: Somalia’s Transitional National Government (TNG) has put its forces on full alert. It says it is acting in response to reports of a heavy military build up of Ethiopia troops, tanks and armoured personnel carriers along the border between the two countries. Only last month, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said he had occasionally sent troops into neighbouring Somalia to attack members of the militant Islamist group, al-Ittihad. But Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Tekede Alemu, has said the current allegations from Mogadishu are «completely false». He denied that Ethiopia was massing troops on the border — and he also denied an earlier charge that some Ethiopian forces had already crossed into Somalia. The Somali council of ministers has been holding an emergency meeting with parliament, to consider its response to what they say is the possibility of an Ethiopian attack. It decided to recall its delegates from faltering peace talks taking place in Kenya for «consultations». The meeting, which was said to be heated, also expressed the fear that an attack on Somalia could come immediately after the United States attacked Iraq, at a time when the eyes of the international community were elsewhere. Forces loyal to the TNG in the border regions of Hiran, Baklol and Gedo have now gone onto 100% alert. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 11 March 2003)

* Somalie. Négociations en péril — Le 9 mars, le gouvernement national de transition (TNG) a annoncé qu’il retirait ses délégués, pour consultation, des négociations de paix en cours à Nairobi. Ces consultations seraient ouvertes aux factions pro-gouvernementales et aux autonomies régionales. Le gouvernement a demandé d’exclure l’Ethiopie de la délégation des pays frontaliers, qui se met du côté des groupes d’opposition somaliens. Par ailleurs, le 10 mars, le TNG et le Parlement de transition de la Somalie tenaient une réunion extraordinaire pour discuter du déploiement massif de troupes éthiopiennes à la frontière. Selon des sources bien informées, des milliers de soldats éthiopiens ont été massés ces trois derniers jours le long de la frontière entre la Somalie et l’Ethiopie. Selon certains, les militaires éthiopiens auraient déjà franchi la frontière au sud-ouest de la Somalie. A l’issue de leur réunion, le TNG et le Parlement ont décrété l’état d’urgence, mettant toutes les forces nationales et les milices pro-gouvernementales en état d’alerte. Ils ont aussi saisi l’Union africaine, les Nations unies, la Ligue arabe et d’autres instances internationales d’une requête sur la question, tout en appelant les autorités d’Addis-Abeba à retirer leurs troupes. (D’après PANA, Sénégal, 10-11 mars 2003)

* Somalia. Somaliland begins campaign — 12 March: Campaigning has begun in the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland for its first multi-party presidential election, which is to be held next month. The current leader of Somaliland, Dahir Riyaale Kahin, is being challenged by candidates from two opposition parties. Mr Kahin succeeded the long-standing leader of the breakaway republic, Mohamed Egal, following his death in May last year. Somaliland declared independence in 1991, as the rest of Somalia descended into anarchy. Mr Egal was elected president two years later, but the territory has never won international recognition. One of the candidates, Feisal Ali Warabe, has expressed doubt that the election will be free and fair. Election Commission chairman Abdirahman Hagi Ali Adami has also criticised the authorities for not handing over all the promised funds to supervise the elections. He has also expressed concern about a hostile atmosphere in eastern areas. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 12 March 2003)

* South Africa. Winnie denies charges — 6 March: The former wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, has denied theft and fraud charges in a court in Pretoria. Mrs Madikizela-Mandela is accused, alongside her financial broker Addy Moolman, of 60 charges of fraud and 25 of theft relating to a $120,000 bogus loans scheme. The former first lady is alleged to have run the scheme through the African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL), of which she is president. However, Mrs Madikizela-Mandela, supported in court by her two daughters, denied the charges, saying on the witness stand that the loans were only «to assist people who did not have access to banks and financial houses». The fraud trial is expected to last two more weeks. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 6 March 2003)

* South Africa. Tax amnesty proves a hit — 6 March: As much as $8bn could be on its way back home to South Africa if early responses to the tax amnesty on overseas holdings are anything to go by. The six-month amnesty does not even begin till May, yet tax officials received inquiries about more than 3bn rand ($373 million) in the first 48 hours. That, Revenue Service Commissioner Pravin Gordhan, said, could mean a total take of $2bn-$8bn. «I think people in South Africa are realising that for all sorts of reasons they might have erred,» he said. «They would like to normalise their affairs and would look to this opportunity.» Mr Gordhan’s boss, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, announced the amnesty as part of a far-reaching 334bn rand budget package on 26 February. Setting growth forecasts for 2003 of 3.3%, down from the 3.5% set in October, he unveiled a 13.3bn rand tax break for middle to low income earners, thanks to higher tax receipts last year, and lowered the tax on pensioners’ retirement funds from 25% to 18%. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 6 March 2003)

* South Africa. Tourism booms — South Africa is the fastest growing tourist destination in the world, the country’s tourism ministry has claimed. The number of overseas arrivals to South Africa rose by 1.8 million — or 20% — last year, the ministry said. This growth defied continuing fears among key European and American customers of longhaul travel, and bad press over South African crime statistics. The head of South African Tourism, Cheryl Carolus, said that hosting the Cricket World Cup had boosted the sector, and helped showcase some areas less well known than the holiday hotspots of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The 2002, the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg also helped promote South Africa as a destination. South Africa’s landscape, wildlife, culture and heritage helped attract 6.4 million holiday makers last year in total, making tourism South Africa’s best performing sector, Ms Carolus said. «Our cabinet has, for the third year running, identified tourism as one of our top five economic sectors from which we expect economic growth,» she said. (BBC News, UK, 10 March 2003)

* South Africa. A consultant who rules out AIDS/HIV link — The South African government was embroiled in a fresh row over its Aids policy on 10 March when the health ministry confirmed hiring a controversial scientist who disputes the link between HIV and AIDS. Roberto Giraldo, a leader of the so-called AIDS dissidents, has been included in a team of experts to advise the government on how to combat the virus, which infects 4.7 million South Africans. AIDS activists renewed accusations that the authorities could not be serious about tackling the pandemic while listening to those who argued against the provision of life-extending medicine. Dr Giraldo reportedly believes that the anti-retroviral drugs available in the west induce rather than treat AIDS, and that the disease is caused by nutritional deficiencies — a belief apparently shared by President Thabo Mbeki, who has linked AIDS to poverty. Critics said he was reluctant to accept a link with sexual behaviour. Earlier this year Dr Giraldo was invited by the South African government to brief a meeting of African experts on how to tackle the pandemic. News that the US-based dissident would be consulted on a regular basis prompted opposition calls for the resignation of the health minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, a close ally of the president. In interviews yesterday she played down the significance of the appointment, saying the scientist would not be an official adviser but one of many consultants, and that he would offer advice solely on how to boost immune systems with food. Ms Tshabalala-Msimang said that she was not interested in Dr Giraldo’s controversial views on the link between HIV and AIDS, a link the cabinet publicly accepted last year. (The Guardian, UK, 11 March 2003)

* South Africa. Hunt for white right-wing militants — 12 March: Police have conducted raids on homes in six of South Africa’s nine provinces in a hunt for white right-wing militants. One person was arrested for illegal possession of explosives, with police saying they expect more arrests to follow. There have been several similar raids over the past few months, following a series of bomb attacks, which killed one person in Soweto. Twenty-three right-wingers are due to face trial in Pretoria in May for trying to overthrow the government through violence. Another 24 people have been arrested for contravening firearms legislation. Police spokeswoman Sally de Beer says the swoop is the fourth such operation, code-named Hopper, since November last year. «The focus of Hopper IV is on people about whom the police have received information during the course of our investigation into a plan to overthrow the government». Since the end of apartheid, a small group of conservative whites has remained opposed to democratic rule. Police have linked a group called the Boeremag, or Boer Force, to the blasts. President Thabo Mbeki says government information has indicated «that the right wing have the intention to conduct a campaign» to destabilise South Africa. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 12 March 2003)

* Soudan. Khartoum accusé — Alors que les pourparlers de paix au Soudan reprennent au Kenya, Khartoum continue de violer l’accord de cessez-le-feu signé avec l’Armée populaire de libération du Soudan (SPLA), a affirmé l’ONG International Crisis Group basée à Bruxelles. Selon l’ONG, les forces gouvernementales ainsi que des milices soutenues par Khartoum sont en train d’attaquer les régions pétrolifères de l’ouest du Haut Nil, dans le but de déloger la SPLA et d’étendre l’exploitation du pétrole, avec comme premières victimes les civils. Ces accusations ont réchauffé l’atmosphère de la reprise des pourparlers de paix au Kenya, où les parties doivent finaliser les questions relatives à l’autodétermination, au pouvoir et au partage des richesses. Un problème épineux concerne le contrôle des trois régions riches en pétrole se situant dans la zone ouest du Haut Nil et du Kordofan. (D’après PANA, Sénégal, 8 mars 2003)

* Sudan. Talisman pulls out of Sudan — 10 March: Canadian energy group Talisman has sold its stake in a controversial oil project in Sudan for $750m to India’s national oil company. The 25% stake in the Greater Nile Oil production and pipeline project had attracted heavy criticism from human rights groups. They accused Talisman of providing the Islamist Sudanese government with oil revenues which were used to finance the two decade old civil war with mostly Christian and animist separatists in the south. «We say welcome to the Indian company,» Sudanese Energy Minister Awad al-Jaz told reporters. «This deal was done with the consent of all and everybody is happy.» The sale was originally due to have been concluded in December. The Indian company ONGC Videsh also operates in Russia, Vietnam, Iran and Libya. Talisman promised to return to Sudan once a peace agreement is signed. «It has been very difficult for us to operate (in Sudan),» said Talisman’s chief executive Jim Buckee. «In the event of signing a peace agreement, we will come back to Sudan,» he said. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 10 March 2003)

* Tanzanie. Expulsion de Rwandais — Le gouvernement rwandais a décidé d’interpeller l’ambassadeur de la Tanzanie à Kigali au sujet des expulsions de ses ressortissants établis dans ce pays depuis 1959, a-t-on appris le 8 mars. Depuis la semaine dernière, plus de 300 ressortissants rwandais ont été expulsés de Tanzanie et attendent dans un centre d’accueil près de la frontière à Rusemo. Il s’agit pour la plupart d’anciens réfugiés ou descendants de réfugiés, qui avaient fui le Rwanda en 1959. Ces expulsions surviennent à la suite de la fermeture, fin 2002, de tous les camps de réfugiés rwandais en Tanzanie, où vivaient depuis 1994 quelque 20.000 réfugiés rwandais. Beaucoup d’entre eux sont retournés au Rwanda, d’autres ont préféré s’enfuir vers des pays voisins. (PANA, Sénégal, 8 mars 2003)

* Tunisie. Saisie de faux billets — Le 6 mars, deux Maliens ont été arrêtés en Tunisie en possession de 51 millions de dollars en faux billets de 100 dollars. Les deux faussaires, se présentant comme des hommes d’affaires, ont reconnu avoir acheté les faux dollars à Bamako. Ils étaient également en possession de plusieurs faux passeports. Soupçonnés d’être impliqués dans plusieurs autres affaires du même genre en France et aux Etats-Unis, ils seront traduits devant la justice tunisienne pour escroquerie et trafic de fausse monnaie. (Le Figaro, France, 7 mars 2003)

* Uganda. Soldiers executed after unfair trial — On 6 March, Amnesty International strongly condemned the execution of three Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) soldiers on 3 March. The executions confirmed fears by Amnesty International, following the execution of two other UPDF soldiers in March 2002, that the Ugandan army has adopted the use of the death penalty as an expedient form of punishment. (Amnesty International, 6 March 2003)

* Uganda. Museveni offers rebels five-day cease-fire — President Yoweri Museveni has offered the northern rebel Lords Resistance Army (LRA) a five-day cease-fire paving the way for possible peace talks to begin. The cease-fire, coming after last week’s failure by the government to reach the LRA leadership for preliminary talks last week, will be effective from 10-15 March. However, the partial cease-fire does not cover all parts of Gulu, Pader, Kitgum, Lira and Apac districts in northern Uganda, where the LRA has been particularly active. The LRA has fought President Museveni’s government for the past 17 years. (PANA, Senegal, 10 March 2003)

* Ouganda. Cessez-le-feu de 5 jours — Le président Museveni a accordé à l’Armée de résistance du Seigneur (LRA, rébellion), qui opère dans le nord du pays, un cessez-le-feu de cinq jours pour faciliter d’éventuelles négociations de paix. Une réunion entre une délégation gouvernementale et les dirigeants de la LRA, prévue la semaine dernière à l’initiative des autorités religieuses, n’a pu avoir lieu. Le cessez-le-feu proposé par Museveni sera effectif du 10 au 15 mars. Il se limitera cependant aux sous-comtés de Wipolo et Koyo Lagoli, dans les districts de Pader et de Kitgum. (D’après PANA, Sénégal, 10 mars 2003)

* Uganda. Human trial of AIDS vaccine starts — Ugandan researchers have begun injecting volunteers with one of the world’s few prototype HIV/AIDS vaccines aimed at the strain of the virus ravaging East Africa, the research team said today. The trial will involve uninfected volunteers in Uganda considered to be at low risk of HIV infection. The trial will determine whether the vaccine is safe and creates immunity. «The trials will go on for about two years after which we hope we can move it to the next phase,» said the principal researcher, Dr. Pontiano Kaleebu. About half a million people have died in Uganda from AIDS, and it is estimated that about 1.5 million are infected with HIV, the virus that causes the deadly disease. The vaccine being tested does not contain HIV and cannot cause HIV infection, Dr. Kaleebu said. Researchers said the vaccine is the only one being tested on humans that is tailored to the virus common in Uganda and other East African countries, HIV subtype A. Most vaccines being tested on humans are for subtypes other than A, the researchers said. It is possible that different vaccines may have to be developed to treat different subtypes prevalent in various regions, they added. Making a vaccine against HIV is difficult because the virus integrates itself into cells and attacks the very immune cells that are normally stimulated by a vaccine. (New York Times, USA, 12 March 2003)

* Zambie. Grève et menaces de grève — Les fonctionnaires zambiens menacent d’aller en grève à la fin de ce mois, si le gouvernement n’augmente pas les salaires minimum jusqu’à 1,5 million de kwachas (environ 300 dollars). Le 9 mars, le président Mwanawasa a rejeté ces demandes, arguant que son gouvernement n’avait pas les moyens de les payer. Il a critiqué ceux qui l’accusent d’accorder de “gros salaires” à lui-même et à son cabinet, soulignant qu’il était le président le moins bien payé de toute l’Afrique australe. D’autre part, l’université de Zambie, à Lusaka, a été fermée jusqu’à nouvel ordre après que la direction ait échoué de trouver un accord avec les enseignants en grève, qui réclament de meilleurs salaires et conditions de travail. Tous les étudiants ont été renvoyés chez eux, et se préparaient, le 9 mars, à quitter le campus. Le gouvernement doit aux enseignants, aux chercheurs et au reste du personnel universitaire un total de 16 milliards de kwachas (environ 3 millions de dollars) d’arriérés d’augmentation de salaires. Le 7 mars, il a versé 2 milliards de kwachas à l’université dans une tentative de résorber cette dette. (D’après PANA, Sénégal, 9 mars 2003)

* Zambia. Party plot alleged — 10 March: President Levy Mwanawasa has accused members of his Movement for Multi-Party Democracy party of plotting to undermine the government. Speaking at a meeting in the copper mining town of Mufulira, Mr Mwanawasa also said his opponents were trying to prevent his efforts to investigate alleged corruption under his predecessor, Frederick Chiluba. Sympathisers of President Chiluba are reportedly trying to campaign against President Mwanawasa in the Copperbelt province. Mr Chiluba was arrested two weeks ago and was charged with 66 counts of corruption. He was released on bail of 1.5 billion kwacha ($300,000) and had to surrender his passport. Mr Chiluba was stripped of his immunity by parliament after being accused by President Mwanawasa of misusing millions of dollars of government money. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 10 March 2003)

* Zimbabwe. US sanctions target Mugabe — 7 March: The United States has announced it is imposing economic sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and 76 other government officials in Zimbabwe. Washington accuses them of undermining democracy and using violence to stifle political opposition. The executive order signed by US President George W Bush freezes the assets of those involved, and bars Americans from having any financial dealings with them. The US sanctions mark an escalation of the visa restrictions on officials announced by President Bush last March following Mr Mugabe’s controversial re-election last year. America’s actions complement a similar move by the European Union to freeze the assets of the leadership, the White House said. The EU renewed its year-old sanctions — including travel restrictions on the country’s leaders, an arms embargo and a freeze of assets — against Mr Mugabe and 71 of his associates in mid-February. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 7 March 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Sanctions américaines — Les Etats-Unis ont décidé de geler des avoirs appartenant au président Robert Mugabe et à 76 ressortissants zimbabwéens en raison des mesures antidémocratiques prises par les autorités de Harare, a annoncé la Maison Blanche le 7 mars. Cette décision, adoptée par décret présidentiel, “gèle toutes les propriétés et les actifs financiers des individus visés” et interdit aux citoyens américains “de mener toute transaction ou opération avec les personnes concernées”. M. Mugabe et les 76 autres personnes sont accusées d’avoir “formulé, appliqué ou soutenu des politiques qui ont sapé les institutions démocratiques” du pays. L’Union européenne avait décidé à la mi-février de prolonger pour un an des sanctions en vigueur contre le Zimbabwe, qui interdisent de séjour dans l’UE et gèlent les avoirs de M. Mugabe et de 71 dignitaires de son régime. (Le Monde, France, 9 mars 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Opposition arrests — 10 March: There have been more opposition arrests in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, over the weekend. The state-run Herald newspaper said 21 members of the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), were detained for allegedly holding an illegal meeting. Police told the newspaper that the group had not sought official clearance for their gathering. Political tensions are reported to be running high in the capital ahead of two key by-elections due to take place in opposition strongholds at the end of the month. Police representative Bothwell Mugariri told the Herald that police officers who came to break up the meeting were stoned leaving four officers injured and two vehicles damaged. «The group was violent and as a result the police called for reinforcements before they managed to arrest 21 people,» Mugariri told the paper. Six other MDC members were detained in a separate incident after allegedly attacking ruling party supporters. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 10 March 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Opposants arrêtés — Pendant le week-end du 8-9 mars, 28 membres du Mouvement pour le changement démocratique (MDC), principal parti d’opposition, ont été arrêtés à Harare, alors que la tension politique croît dans la capitale à l’approche de deux élections législatives partielles. Par ailleurs, le 10 mars, des femmes du MDC ont annoncé leur intention de porter plainte contre la police, qui a violemment dispersé une manifestation pour la Journée internationale de la femme, samedi à Bulawayo. (Le Figaro, France, 11 mars 2003)