* Sierra Leone. Fighters turn friends — Although the war is over in Sierra Leone, the fighters — or at least, the ex-fighters — still have a role to play. When Rashid Sandy first met Foday Sajuma in Freetown’s Talking Drum studios, he was dismayed to find an ex-combatant from an opposing faction. But they began talking and before long found that Mr Sajuma was actually related to Mr Sandy on his mother’s side. «All this time we had been throwing bullets at one another,» Mr Sandy, a former high-ranking official in the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), said. «Now, besides being a co-worker, Foday is also my uncle. It’s amazing.» The RUF were responsible for some of the worst atrocities in West Africa in recent times. Mr Sajuma is a former fighter of the Civil Defence Forces (CDF) —also known as Kamajors — who supported the government of the now President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. CDF forces held Rashid Sandy for 6 months towards the end of the war. «They could see I was committed to peace, that’s why they didn’t kill me,» he said. This kind of banter continues on and off the microphone — the two are co-presenting a programme in the local Krio language, originally entitled «Throw Away the Gun». Now that the disarmament process has advanced, they have changed the name to «Let’s Build Sierra Leone». It was a brave move by the directors of Talking Drum studios, who are even sponsored by a peace-building organisation, Search for Common Ground. And they went further — as soon as Rashid was comfortable with his role as a producer and presenter, he was put in charge of the studio’s Makeni office in northern Sierra Leone, the former national headquarters of the RUF. The decision to place Rashid in Makeni has had a big impact on the numbers of former fighters coming in on the peace process there. (BBC News, UK, 23 May 2003)

* Somalia. Puntland university seeks peace dividend — 23 May: A new university in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland is giving students the chance to study for degrees for the first time. And the university hopes the recent ceasefire in Puntland between government and rebels will allow it to expand further. The ambitiously named East Africa University opened its doors to students two years ago, but construction of the new campus — on the seafront close to the port of Bossaso — is still continuing. Abdi Weli Abdirahman is Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration. Like many of the teaching staff, he has returned from abroad. «I am an economist from the United States. I came back to teach my people in Puntland. I am a Puntlander», he says. But the past two years of fighting in Puntland has made it difficult for the new university to establish itself. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 23 May 2003)

* South Africa. Soldiers face the past — South Africa is still trying to come to terms with its violent past, both in internal conflict and military intervention across southern Africa. During the apartheid era, every white man was liable for conscription into the army, in which he would serve at least two years. Several thousand black men and women were trained in military camps run by the liberation groups, MK and APLA. The legacy of these conflicts is in some cases massive mental trauma, stemming from the shame and horror at the activities these soldiers were forced to carry out. «You don’t talk about it,» Dave Swart, one former soldier, said. «I don’t anyway. This is the first time in years, and it feels kind of strange.» Although a Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) was set up in the new, post-apartheid South Africa, «There are a lot of skeletons in a lot of cupboards on both sides,» Professor Philip Frankel, an expert on military psychology and sociology at Witts University in Johannesburg, said. He added that when he approached ex-combatants for his own research, he often met with the response: «Why don’t you go and read the TRC reports?» «The TRC was a very valuable exercise. It gave a lot of people the opportunity to make clear what they had done under apartheid, and to apologise for it. Psychologically it was a process of tremendous cleansing for a lot of people.» (BBC News, UK, 23 May 2003)

* South Africa. Treason case set to begin — 26 May: South Africa’s biggest treason case since the end of apartheid is set to begin today, as 22 members of the radical-right Boeremag («Boer Force») stand trial. The trial will take place in Pretoria’s Palace of Justice, where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists were tried in the early ‘60s. Now the tables will be turned as black-controlled South Africa tries the extremist Afrikaners, members of the dominant ethnic group under the racist regime that ruled until 1994. The men face charges of high treason, terrorism and sabotage in connection with an alleged plot to stage a coup d’etat and restore South Africa’s historic Boer republics. Police have linked the group to a series of bombs in Johannesburg’s black Soweto township, a mosque, and a Buddhist temple last year that killed one person and injured several others. Police also allege the Boeremag plotted to assassinate Mr Mandela as he travelled to a school in the northern Limpopo province. — However, once again, the trial is adjourned because of some difficulties in guaranteeing adequate security for the defendants. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 26 May 2003)

* South Africa. South African climbs Mount Everest — 26 May: The record for the fastest ever ascent of Mount Everest has been broken for the second time in three days. Lakba Gelu Sherpa made the ascent from Base Camp to the summit in just under 11 hours, shaving nearly two hours off the previous best time. The latest record came on the same morning that a 32-year-old South African man became the first black climber to reach the top of the world’s highest mountain. Game warden Sibusiso Vilane reached the summit shortly after dawn. He says he is feeling well and is very grateful to be there. A record numbers of people have been attempting to climb the mountain on the golden anniversary of the first ever Everest ascent. A few hours before Mr Vilane reached the summit, Lakba Gelu Sherpa had arrived at the top of Everest in record time. His 11 hours from Base Camp to the summit is a journey that takes the average climber a good four days of hard climbing. The previous fastest ascent record was set by a fellow Sherpa, Pemba Dorjie, who reached the top of the mountain in 12 hours and 45 minutes. Mr Vilane’s attempt at the summit came after spending weeks at Base Camp and up on the mountain acclimatising and waiting for a break in the weather. He reached the top of the world after climbing through a clear and starlit night. But the winds are now much stronger and he still has to get safely back down the mountain. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 26 May 2003)

* Soudan. L’opposition boucle les négociations — Le 24 mai au Caire, les leaders de l’opposition soudanaise ont clôturé leurs négociations en faveur de l’unité et se sont exprimés pour un soutien aux pourparlers de paix entamés au Kenya entre la SPLA et le gouvernement de Khartoum. John Garang, leader de la SPLA (Armée de libération du peuple soudanais), et Sadeq al-Mahdi, chef du parti Umma, se sont entretenus avec Mohammed Osman al-Marghani, leader du Parti unioniste démocratique, à son domicile au Caire. Ils ont rendu publique une déclaration dans laquelle ils promettent “de faire usage de tous leurs moyens pour soutenir les négociations en cours, ainsi que pour forger un consensus national à travers la participation de toutes les forces politiques”. Le 21 mai, Mirghani, en exil, avait affirmé que les pourparlers de paix SPLA/Khartoum seraient voués à l’échec pour avoir mis sur la touche les autres partis d’opposition. -D’autre part, le 27 mai, le secrétaire d’Etat américain, Colin Powell, a clairement indiqué au ministre soudanais des Affaires étrangères, Osman Ismail, en visite aux Etats-Unis, que les sanctions économiques qui frappent le Soudan ne seront levées qu’après la signature d’un accord avec le groupe rebelle sudiste. (PANA, Sénégal, 26-27 mai 2003)

* Swaziland. Disparitions mystérieuses — Alors que le roi Mswati III s’apprête à soumettre au référendum l’ébauche de la Constitution nationale, la police déplore une vague de plus en plus importante de disparitions qui sévit dans le pays. Les hommes politiques qui rivalisent pour des sièges parlementaires et des postes importants dans le gouvernement, pourraient être impliqués puisque, traditionnellement, les Swazis croient que pour assurer leur victoire, les candidats doivent commettre des meurtres rituels à l’occasion desquels certaines parties du corps sont retirées pour les besoins du fétiche. La police affirme avoir reçu depuis le début de cette année, plus de 20 cas de personnes disparues. La plupart sont des femmes. Rien que cette semaine, trois jeunes filles ont été portées disparues. (PANA, Sénégal, 22 mai 2003)

* Swaziland. Delays in food aid delivery being resolved — On 26 May, IRIN reported that the World Food Programme (WFP) in Swaziland was unable to distribute a full food basket to each of its 152,000 beneficiaries in April and May. In its latest situation report on the regional food crisis, WFP noted that «Swaziland has experienced pipeline problems during April and May and as a result, most implementing partners (who distribute on behalf of WFP) were only supplied with cereals in May. (...) Jennifer Abrahamson, WFP spokesperson in Johannesburg, South Africa, explained that the shortages the agency was experiencing in Swaziland were due to a number of factors. «Essentially, the problem was that there was a quality check delay (of the maize) and that problem should be resolved soon. In terms of the vegetable oil, we have experienced a shortfall region-wide. Donations have come in but there’s a lag period between when a donation is made and when the food arrives. But it is coming now and should continue coming in». (IRIN, Kenya, 26 May 2003)

* Togo. Présidentielle le 1er juin — Le 1er juin aura lieu l’élection présidentielle au Togo. La précédente, en 1998, avorta quand le général-président Eyadéma envoya la troupe pour arrêter le dépouillement et se proclama vainqueur. Cette fois-ci, la commission électorale n’est pas indépendante, le code électoral a été changé, de même que la Constitution, permettant au chef de l’Etat de se représenter, tandis que son principal opposant, Gilchrist Olympio, a été éliminé de la course. L’Union européenne a décidé de ne pas cautionner le scrutin par l’envoi d’observateurs. Paris en a décidé autrement et demandé à quatre élus de partir pour Lomé. (S.Sm., Le Monde, France, 26 mai 2003)

* Togo. Presidential election — On 1 June, Togo is holding its presidential election. MISNA reports that on 26 May, a dozen Christian and human rights organisations denounced the «parody of democracy» which Togo is experiencing. The associations spoke of «the present atmosphere of fear which will not permit the population to vote freely». (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 27 May 2003)

* Ouganda. Remaniement ministériel — Le vendredi 23 mai, le président Museveni a procédé à un remaniement de son gouvernement, au lendemain de la démission du vice-président du pays et d’autres personnalités suite à des divergences avec le Mouvement, la formation au pouvoir. Museveni a nommé le ministre en charge des Affaires présidentielles, Gilbert Bukenva, au poste de vice-président, en remplacement de Speziosa Wandira Kazibwe, qui avait démissionné mercredi. Les ministres d’Etat Eriya Kategaya et Jaberi Bidandi, confidents politiques du président, dont les démissions avaient été présentées jeudi, ont été limogés au cours de ce remaniement. Ces deux personnalités étaient considérées comme des “piliers politiques” de Museveni, mais s’étaient opposés avec véhémence à son projet de briguer un troisième mandat de cinq ans, en contradiction avec les dispositions de la Constitution. D’autres personnes ont changé de place dans ce gouvernement, l’un des plus pléthoriques de l’Afrique, avec 52 hommes et 15 femmes. (PANA, Sénégal, 23 mai 2003)

* Uganda. Government resignations — 21 May: Uganda’s first-ever woman Vice-President resigns from the government, officially to go for further studies in the United States. But there are suggestions that the resignation of Specioza Kazibwe could be part of behind — the-scenes political manoeuvring in the ruling National Resistance Movement. President Yoweri Museveni’s secretary said he has agreed to Mrs Kazibwe’s request to be allowed to leave office in order to pursue her medical studies at Harvard University. However, Mrs Kazibwe’s decision to resign seems bizarre, especially coming at a time when the political landscape in the country is undergoing changes. 23 May: President Yoweri Museveni fires three cabinet ministers in a move analysts say is aimed at silencing opponents of his wish to extend his rule beyond a two-term constitutional limit. Long time allies Eriya Kategaya, the first deputy premier, and local government minister Bidandi Sali lose their cabinet positions. Ethics and Integrity State Minister Miria Matembe is also dismissed. The three were vocal critics of a proposal by the ruling party in April to remove the presidential limit of two five-year terms, paving the way for Museveni to seek re-election. Museveni’s second and final term under the current constitution expires in 2006. 26 May: The former rector of the faculty of medicine in Makerere University, Gilbert Bukenya, is appointed Vice-President of Uganda. General Moses Ali is appointed deputy prime minister. The general director of the Internal Security Organisation, Henry Tukumunde, is «distanced from his post». (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 26 May 2003)

* Zimbabwe. La succession de Mugabe — Le 22 mai, le président Robert Mugabe, 79 ans, a réitéré son appel lancé le mois dernier, invitant ses compatriotes à discuter ouvertement de sa succession afin d’éviter les dissensions politiques. Il a affirmé que de hauts responsables au sein de son parti avaient déjà commencé à chercher secrètement des appuis afin de lui succéder, en attendant son retrait de la politique, prévu à la fin de son mandat actuel de six ans, en 2008. “Il faut débattre ouvertement de toutes les questions, notamment des postes de direction”, a dit M. Mugabe. (PANA, Sénégal, 22 mai 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Embattled Mugabe looks for successor — Robert Mugabe has urged members of his ruling Zanu-PF party to discuss his successor, fuelling speculation that the Zimbabwean leader is considering stepping down. Zanu-PF officials confirmed yesterday that Mr Mugabe was considering retiring next year when he turns 80, but said he still preferred to retire on his own terms without involving the opposition. He could achieve this by getting the requisite two-thirds majority needed in parliament to change the constitution and imposing a successor without calling a new election. He is four seats short of this majority but three seats are up for by-election soon. The opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, recently accused Mr Mugabe of plotting to kill opposition MPs to force by-elections that he could «rig». Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party has already lost three seats to Zanu-PF in by-elections. Addressing supporters on 22 May, Mr Mugabe was quoted as saying: «The issue of my successor must be debated openly, although I would urge you not to allow it to create divisions within the party.» He was quoted on 23 May as accusing party members of consulting traditional healers and ancestral spirits for charms to enhance their chances of succeeding him. He also defended his seizures of white-owned land, which have left more than half the population reliant on food aid. Meanwhile, the militant Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (ZNLWVA), which Mr Mugabe used in the violent campaign to seize farms, has warned the MDC that it will not tolerate planned street protests aimed at forcing Mr Mugabe to resign. Patrick Nyaruwata, the ZNLWVA chairman, said in a statement that the war veterans would resort to «military tactics» to thwart the protests. (The Independent, UK, 24 May 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Opposition action next week — 26 May: Zimbabwe’s main opposition party says it will begin its «final push» against President Robert Mugabe next week. A spokesman for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said the party is calling for prayer meetings culminating in marches to start on 2 June. Paul Themba Nyathi said the protests would not stop until «Mr Mugabe gives a clear signal that he will leave office». The latest sign of the economy meltdown is a shortage of bank notes. There were long queues outside banks on 24 May ahead of today’s public holiday despite limits on cash withdrawals. There have been shortages of basic commodities such as bread, sugar and petrol for several months. The latest statistics show annual inflation is running at 269%. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 26 May 2003)