* South Africa. Mandela’s 46664 concert — 21 October: Beyonce, Queen and Bono from U2 are to headline a huge concert in Cape Town, South Africa, to raise awareness of Africa’s Aids plight. They will be joined by artists such as Anastacia, Ms Dynamite and a host of African acts for the show, which will take place on 29 November. A CD and DVD will be released early in the new year in aid of the campaign. The initiative, called 46664 and spearheaded by Nelson Mandela, is launched in London today. The five digits 46664 represented Mr Mandela’s prison number for more than 18 years while he was kept prisoner in South Africa’s Robben Island jail. «Millions of people today infected with Aids are just that — a number,» he said. «They too are serving a prison sentence for life. That’s why for the first time I am allowing my prison number...to brand this campaign. A tragedy of unprecedented proportions is unfolding in Africa. Aids today in Africa is claiming more lives than the sum total of all wars, famines and floods, and the ravages of such deadly diseases as malaria. We must act now for the sake of the world. Aids is no longer a disease, it is a human rights issue.» — A new analysis of the Aids epidemic in South Africa suggests that fewer people are becoming infected with HIV than in previous years. The research also predicts that the total number of HIV-positive people in South Africa will remain constant for the foreseeable future. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 21 October 2003)

* South Africa. Controversy over new AIDS projections — AIDS experts have raised doubts about a new study suggesting South Africa’s HIV/AIDS epidemic peaked in 2002 and was expected to level off as fewer new infections were reported. The study, published in the recent issue of the African Journal of AIDS Research, said that the epidemic in South Africa peaked last year with about 4.69 million people living with HIV/AIDS and had started to level off. It also noted that HIV incidence rates in the 15 to 49 age group had decreased «substantially» from 4.2 percent in 1997 to 1.7 percent in 2003. These projections were based on a new statistical model developed by Dr Olive Shisana, executive director of HIV/AIDS research at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and Thomas Rehle, an independent consultant in international health and disease control. The study used data from the Department of Health’s national antenatal HIV prevalence survey and the 2002 Nelson Mandela/HSRC Study of HIV/AIDS. (IRIN, Kenya, 22 October 2003)

* Soudan. Attaques de milices islamiques au Darfour — Une centaine de personnes tuées et 15 blessées, tel est le bilan d’une série d’attaques lancées durant le week-end (18-19 octobre) par des milices tribales islamiques dans la région du Darfour, selon le quotidien El-Ayam, citant un député de la région. Les miliciens ont mis à feu et à sang une quinzaine de petits centres, contraignant à la fuite au moins 15.000 personnes. Des témoignages parlent d’une nouvelle vague de violence dans la région. Les rebelles de l’Armée/Mouvement de libération (SLA/M) du Darfour ont accusé le gouvernement soudanais d’avoir violé le cessez-le-feu “plus de 47 fois” au cours de ces 45 derniers jours, provoquant quelque 200 morts. “De nombreux indices font penser que ces milices tribales islamiques ne sont rien d’autre que des mouvements paramilitaires liés au gouvernement, qui est ainsi libre de continuer à lutter contre les rebelles malgré la signature de la trêve et les négociations en cours”, a expliqué une source diplomatique occidentale. (Misna, Italie, 21 octobre 2003)

* Sudan. New series of peace talks — 16 October: The Sudanese Vice-President, Ali Osman Taha, arrives in Nairobi to attend peace talks in Kenya with rebels of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). He says: «We are glad that we are once again in Nairobi to resume negotiations which we hope are the last». The Sudanese Vice-President specifies that Khartoum is determined to entirely resolve pending issues during this new phase of talks. John Garang, the SPLA‘s leader says: «We have come, as we did last time, with the same level of openness, commitment, determination and purpose to move on with the remaining issues so that we are able to reach a peace settlement». 21 October 21: US Secretary of State Colin Powell turns his attention to the conflict in Sudan, one of the priorities he set when he took office early in 2001. Sensing a possible success for US diplomacy, Powell is flying from Bangkok to Nairobi to meet representatives of the Sudanese government and southern rebels, who are deep in peace talks in the Kenyan town of Naivasha. US officials have played down expectations he can pull off a final agreement when he sees the negotiators on 22 November but they say they hope he can speed up the talks so that they come to fruition within weeks. Colin Powell says: «I am here to keep the momentum going on these talks. There’s a lot of work ahead, but frankly we’re getting close. Now that we’ve come this far, let’s finish it, let’s kick it in, let’s throw it into high gear. Let’s not miss this opportunity». 22 October: After meeting representatives of both sides in the civil war, Colin Powell says that they have committed themselves to signing a peace deal to end the civil war by the end of the year. Mr Powell says that they will be invited to the White House by President Bush for a signing ceremony once a comprehensive agreement is completed. Mr Powell says it is essential to move forward to an agreement to end the suffering of the Sudanese people». (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 22 October 2003)

* Soudan. Powell en médiateur — Le secrétaire d’Etat américain, Colin Powell, est attendu ce 22 octobre à Naivasha, au Kenya, alors que les pourparlers de paix intersoudanais sont entrés dans une phase décisive. Il doit rencontrer séparément le vice-président Ali Osmane Taha et le chef de la rébellion sudiste, John Garang. Les deux parties butent encore sur trois contentieux: le partage du pouvoir, celui des richesses, notamment de la rente pétrolière, et le statut de trois régions disputées. M. Powell a promis au régime de Khartoum, accusé dans le passé de soutien au terrorisme, une aide conséquente en échange d’un accord. -S’exprimant devant des journalistes à bord de l’avion qui l’emmenait au Kenya, le 21 octobre, Colin Powell a souhaité insuffler de l’"énergie" dans les pourparlers de paix au Soudan, en promettant un réexamen des sanctions américaines contre le pays africain si un accord définitif était trouvé par le gouvernement et les rebelles. Rappelons que depuis 1997 les Américains imposent un embargo sur la majeure partie des activités commerciales avec le Soudan et ont gelé les avoirs soudanais, accusant Khartoum de soutenir le terrorisme, de commettre des violations des droits de l’homme et des libertés religieuses. (Libération, France, et AP, 22 octobre 2003)

* Swaziland. Parliamentary elections — 18 October: Parliamentary elections are taking place in the tiny kingdom of Swaziland, with 55 seats at stake. Some opposition groups are urging a boycott of the poll, saying it will be meaningless in a country where political parties are banned and the legislature can only advise King Mswati III. However supporters of the king say the parliamentary vote, which takes place every five years, is a step in the right direction. Several members of outlawed parties are contesting seats as independent candidates, including former prime minister Obed Dlamini. The king, who has ignored court rulings in the past, says that political differences are better resolved through negotiation. A number of organisations, including the Commonwealth, have sent teams to observe the election. 19 October: Counting is under way in that parliamentary elections. Opposition groups believe the poll is meaningless in a country where political parties are banned, and the legislature can only advise King Mswati III. The king’s supporters say the parliamentary vote is a step in the right direction. Several members of outlawed parties contested seats as independent candidates, including former Prime Minister Obed Dlamini. The king, who has ignored court rulings in the past, says political differences are better resolved through negotiation. Swaziland is also discussing a controversial new constitution which is likely to maintain the king’s position as monarch. 21 October: IRIN reports that results from 48 of the 55 constituencies are now known. There is an increase in the number of women Members of Parliament (MP)s. The King will appoint 10 MPs next month who will join the 55 elected MPs in selecting 10 members from the general public to serve in the House of Senate. A majority of the 30-member Senate, however, will be filled by the King’s personal appointees. He will also appoint a prime minister and fill his cabinet as he chooses, with most ministers drawn from among the MPs. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 21 October 2003)

* Chad. Face to face with those he tormented — Souleymane Guengueng was a lowly government employee when he was picked up by Chad’s political police in August 1988 and imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. Wrongfully accused of working for the opposition fighting to overthrow President Hissène Habré, he was released two and a half years later when the dictator fled into exile. His family had given up hope of seeing him again. Now the tables have turned, and soon Hissène Habré — darling of the Americans and the French during his bloody eight-year rule — will be facing charges of crimes against humanity and torture. Mr Guengueng and his group, representing 792 victims of the Habré-era atrocities and their surviving relatives, are the accusers. A Belgian investigating magistrate is expected to formally indict the former Chadian leader in a landmark case which will show African dictators they should no longer assume they can commit human rights abuses with impunity. It has been an emotional journey for Mr Guengueng, supported by Human Rights Watch, in his long quest for justice against the man known as the «African Pinochet». After a Chadian Truth Commission accused Habré’s regime of 40,000 political murders and systematic torture, the exiled president was placed under house arrest in Senegal three years ago. For a time it looked as though he would be judged there. Mr Guengueng, armed with documents he kept hidden under his house, testified in secret. But the process was halted when the Senegalese courts ruled in 2001 that he could not be tried in the country as his alleged crimes had not been committed there. Mr Guengueng and Human Rights Watch still had another card to play. During the case in Senegal they had sought Habré’s extradition to Belgium under its «universal jurisdiction» law. The legislation meant that perpetrators of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity could be tried no matter where the crime was committed, and regardless of their nationality. Belgium repealed its controversial law in July, under US pressure. But because three of the Chadian victims have Belgian nationality, and the investigation by the Belgian magistrate Daniel Fransen had already begun in Chad, Mr Guengueng’s case will go ahead. (Independent, UK, 17 October 2003)

* Tchad. Radio FM-Liberté fermée pour comportement “déviant” — La radio associative FM-Liberté a été fermée le 21 octobre 2003, et pour une durée indéterminée, par le ministère tchadien de la Sécurité publique pour “fonctionnement illégal et comportement déviant”. Cette décision fait suite à la diffusion d’une chronique très critique envers le président Idriss Deby. “L’évolution de la liberté d’expression au Tchad était plutôt positive depuis quelques années. Malheureusement, nous sommes forcés de constater que certains sujets restent tabous, surtout lorsqu’il s’agit du président et de son entourage. Déjà, au printemps 2003, deux journalistes avaient passé deux mois en prison après s’en être pris à la belle-mère du chef de l’Etat”, a déclaré Robert Ménard, secrétaire général de Reporters sans frontières. qui a protesté contre cette mesure. “Ce n’est pas la première fois que les autorités du pays s’en prennent à FM-Liberté, connue pour être proche des organisations de défense des droits de l’homme”, a-t-il ajouté. FM-Liberté avait récemment comparé le président Deby à Hissène Habré, l’ancien dictateur tchadien (1982-1990), et l’accusait d’avoir “apporté des prédateurs, des fossoyeurs de l’économie et des tueurs à gage qui ont le droit de vie et de mort sur les autres citoyens”.lang2057 + (RSF, France, 22 octobre 2003)

* Tunisie. Radhia Nasraoui en grève de la faim — La Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l’homme (FIDH) et l’Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT), dans le cadre de leur programme conjoint, l’Observatoire pour la protection des droits de l’homme, expriment leur vive préoccupation au regard de la situation de Me Radhia Nasraoui, avocate au Barreau de Tunis, qui a entamé une grève de la faim le 13 octobre 2003, afin de protester contre les entraves systématiques qu’elle subit dans l’exercice de sa profession d’avocate et du harcèlement constant dont elle, sa famille et ses clients sont l’objet. Me Radhia Nasraoui est la cible depuis de nombreuses années d’actes de harcèlement en raison de son activité en tant qu’avocate de prisonniers politiques et en tant que défenseur des droits de l’homme. Le 13 octobre, lors d’une conférence de presse, Radhia Nasraoui a expliqué que le harcèlement dont elle fait l’objet ainsi que ses filles, sa soeur et ses frères a pris un caractère systématique et une dimension de plus en plus pernicieuse. Sa maison est constamment surveillée par la police, sa ligne téléphonique est sur écoute, son courrier est intercepté et le 13 juillet 2003 Nadhia Nasraoui a notamment été physiquement agressée par des membres de la police politique. De même, ses clients font l’objet de très fortes pressions visant à les dissuader d’avoir recours à son conseil. L’Observatoire souligne que ces faits s’inscrivent dans un cadre général de persécution et de harcèlement de toute personne osant dénoncer les violations des droits de l’homme en Tunisie et émettre un avis critique à l’encontre du pouvoir. (D’après News Press, France, 21 octobre 2003)

* Ouganda. Attaque rebelle à Soroti — Au moins trois personnes sont mortes au cours d’une nouvelle attaque des rebelles de l’Armée de résistance du Seigneur (LRA) dans le nord de l’Ouganda. Le 20 octobre, à 4 h. du matin, un groupe d’une trentaine de rebelles a pris d’assaut Nakatunya, un des faubourgs de Soroti (290 km au nord-est de Kampala). Après avoir saccagé et incendié des maisons, ils ont fui dans la brousse, prenant en otage un nombre indéterminé de personnes. Quelques équipes de l’armée ougandaise se sont lanceés à leur poursuite avec l’aide des habitants de la zone. Cette attaque a de nouveau semé la terreur au sein de la population. (Misna, Italie, 20 octobre 2003)

* Uganda/Congo (RDC). Kampala rejects Amnesty report on Ituri — Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the spokesman of the Ministry of Defence, Maj. Shaban Bantariza, have dismissed a new report by advocacy group Amnesty International, accusing the government of Uganda of continued involvement in eastern Congo RDC. Amnesty International Secretary-General Irene Khan had released the report on 21 October during a news conference in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, and called on Uganda to face up to its responsibilities to stop supporting armed factions in eastern Congo. «The Ugandan government must take immediate steps to end its continued support of armed groups and the economic plunder which fuels the atrocities,» she said. The Amnesty report, documenting human rights abuses committed since the beginning of the year in eastern Congo’s troubled district of Ituri, Orientale Province, said many of the atrocities recorded earlier in the year were still going on in Ituri and were becoming accepted because they were now commonplace. (IRIN, Kenya, 22 October 2003)

* Uganda. A spot of history — The king of one of Africa’s oldest kingdoms is threatening to take Britain to court for war crimes committed by UK troops during the colonial era of more than 100 years ago. Using evidence from field diaries of British officers who colonised east Africa in the 1890s, the king says he can prove that Britain broke existing humanitarian laws when her imperial forces plundered the Bunyoro kingdom in what is now western Uganda. Solomon Iguru, the king of Bunyoro, is seeking £2.8bn compensation from Britain for «acts of pillage, rape and murder». These actions, he says, were committed by soldiers —under the command of Colonel Henry Colville, the consul of Uganda — against the kingdom of his grandfather, Kabalega, when Bunyoro was annexed under the British protectorate of Uganda in 1894. «We are still open to settling out of court but we want an official apology and compensation,» said King Iguru, who has purely ceremonial powers over the hilly, rural kingdom of a million people. The charges include organised pillage, crop destruction and abuses against prisoners of war, including Kabalega, who was jailed without trial in the Seychelles for 22 years. A demand for compensation was sent first in August 2001, via Tom Phillips, then British high commissioner to Uganda. Mr Phillips rejected it, saying the claim relied on the Geneva convention, which did not then exist. But some lawyers say the convention embodies international laws widely accepted in the late 19th century. (The Guardian, UK, 23 October 2003)

* Western Sahara. Polisario’s congress — 21 October: It is one of Africa’s longest ongoing wars. Forgotten, but still not over. Every four years the Polisario Front holds a congress, to discuss how to proceed with their 27-year battle against Morocco for self-determination of the disputed Western Sahara. Hundreds of Polisario representatives based as far a field as Australia make their way back for the event. This year, for the first time since a ceasefire was signed with Morocco in 1991, the Polisario held their congress in the heart of what they proudly call «liberated territory». Most of the international community consider it to be in south-west Algeria, just 300 kilometres from Tindouf. For some it is a no-mans land under de facto control of the Polisario. For Morocco, it is just a threat; Tifariti is 100 kilometres from the Moroccan wall of defence, a wall in the middle of the Sahara desert, stretching the length of the Moroccan-controlled Sahara border with Algeria. Holding the congress here was a ratcheting up of the pressure for a settlement. Polisario Secretary General Mohamed Abdelaziz says the choice of venue was intended to remind Morocco that the Polisario is there, occupying its land, and pursuing the struggle for independence with firmness. He also told the congress that a return to all-out war with Morocco was one option to be considered. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 21 October 2003)

* Zambia. National Dialogue opens... — On 17 October, Zambia’s main opposition parties and civic groups boycotted the launch Friday of a national dialogue on the country’s political future after President Levy Mwanawasa refused to allow discussion of constitutional and electoral reform. President Mwanawasa organized the four-day forum, or «indaba,» to give Zambians a chance to criticize the direction of government since he succeeded President Frederick Chiluba in 2001. But the main opposition United Party for National Development said it saw no commitment by Mwanawasa’s government to address the main issues threatening the country. «It is sad to see a government that can ignore concerns of organizations which together represent the voice of more than 56 percent of the people of Zambia,» said Sakwiba Sikota, the group’s acting president. Speaking at the launch in the capital, Lusaka, Mwanawasa said there were already constitutional and electoral review processes in place, so delegates should focus on other issues. Mwanawasa has come under attack for prosecuting politicians and government officials for corruption and theft, including Chiluba. He has been accused by the opposition of ignoring the constitution by overriding court decisions. (CNN, USA, 18 October 2003)

* Zambia. National Dialogue closes... — A national conference that President Levy Mwanawasa hoped would promote national healing in Zambia ended on 20 October just as divisively as it had begun. The government said the four-day «indaba» was a success because over 600 delegates showed up. But key civil society groups that had boycotted the conference maintained it was a waste of the reported US $1.5 million it cost to host it. The major recommendations from the indaba were issues that civil society had long championed: the need to have a constituent assembly to adopt a new constitution, a reduction in the size of the cabinet, and electoral reform to ensure that an elected president receives more than 50 percent of votes cast. «There is nothing that Mwanawasa did not already know, because we have given him these recommendations time and again. Did he really need to spend four days and all that money to hear it again?» asked Lucy Muyoyeta, chair of the Non Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Committee (NGOCC). Muyoyeta, whose NGOCC stayed away from the meeting, said the most important issues in the country were the growing political tensions manifested in increasing violence, an ongoing public workers’ strike, and the controversy over the government’s insistence on a Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), rather than a constituent assembly. (IRIN, Kenya, 21 October 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Police accused of beating lawyer — On 16 October, a Zimbabwean lawyer who has defended many prominent press freedom and human rights cases filed charges of assault against police who she alleges severely beat her on 13 October. Beatrice Mtetwa needed medical treatment for severe bruising and cuts to her face, throat, arms, rib cage and legs. The lawyer defended and won acquittal for the Guardian correspondent, Andrew Meldrum, when he was tried for «publishing a falsehood», a criminal charge carrying a jail term of two years. She also won court rulings ordering the government to allow Mr Meldrum to stay in the country, but he was illegally abducted and expelled from the country in May. Police were called to assist Mrs Mtetwa on 13 October in the afternoon when her vehicle was attacked by car thieves. But instead of pursuing the criminals, the police took Mrs Mtetwa into custody for allegedly driving while intoxicated. «They said the tables have turned, you are no longer a lawyer, you are a suspect,» said Mrs Mtetwa. During three hours in custody, an officer beat her in the police car and also at Borrowdale police station, according to a complaint she has filed. «A policeman, identified as Officer Mutumwa, beat me with his fists on my face and my body,» said Mrs Mtetwa. «I tried to defend myself as best I could. I bit him. The assault continued in the police car as we drove to the Borrowdale police station. At the station he kicked me all over my body in addition to the blows he had inflicted on my face. The assault was in full view of the other details who were at the charge office and who refused to intervene.» At one point the officer gripped her in a stranglehold until she could not breathe, she said. «Afterwards I lost my voice from the bruising.» Because police said she was suspected of intoxication, Mrs Mtetwa insisted that they test her with a breathalyser or give her a blood test to prove her sobriety but they refused. After her release she went for medical treatment and documentation of her injuries. (The Guardian, UK, 17 October 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Plus de carburant — La compagnie nationale de pétrole du Zimbabwe n’a plus une seule goute d’essence ni de gasoil dans ses réservoirs, selon le quotidien gouvernemental. Les ambulances du service public, les véhicules de l’armée et les transports publics sont immobilisés, ainsi que certains trains. (La Libre Belgique, 20 octobre 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Mugabe desperate to find evidence of British plot — President Robert Mugabe, is said to be living in fear of a British «plot» to kill him and has ordered the Zimbabwe spy agency to do a more «thorough job» of monitoring the activities of the British high commissioner, as a prelude to his possible expulsion. Intelligence sources say Mr Mugabe is eager to collect evidence to justify expelling Sir Brian Donnelly from Zimbabwe, but has, so far, found none. His various conspiracy theories against Sir Brian, including one that the high commissioner has spent most of his time preparing the ground for an Anglo-American invasion of Zimbabwe, have not been backed up by any tangible evidence. But Mr Mugabe believes his Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) is being incompetent and it has not done much to uncover Sir Brian’s alleged activities, despite a similar order last year to place him under close surveillance. Sir Brian is under instructions to advise the Zimbabwean Foreign Ministry when the high commission’s diplomats leave the country, an order which also applies to the US ambassador on the movements of American diplomats. Mr Mugabe has convinced himself that Britain wants to kill him after failing to help the opposition remove him from power in the presidential election last year, sources said. A special task force of CIO officers will now work full time on monitoring Sir Brian. (The Independent, UK, 21 October 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Economy — from bad to worse — 17 October: Less than half the number of supposed beneficiaries have been resettled under Zimbabwe’s land reform programme, an official report says. The government had previously said that 300,000 black farmers had been given land seized from whites in the past three years. But a report prepared by Charles Utete, a close ally of President Robert Mugabe, puts the figure at 127,192, according to leaks in two local newspapers. The report also says that bureaucratic failings and political interference have hindered the process. One part of the land reform programme was meant to create 50,000 black commercial farmers but just 7,260 families have been given land under this scheme, according to the privately-owned Financial Gazette. 18 October: Zimbabwe’s state-controlled oil company has run out of fuel, plunging national infrastructure and emergency services into crisis, fuel officials have reportedly said. The country’s state-controlled newspaper, The Herald, quotes a source at the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe (NOCZIM) as saying: «There is not a drop of fuel here, though some is expected next week.» However, the country’s Minister of Energy and Power Development Ambassador, Amos Midzi, told the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation there was adequate fuel in the country. In August, fuel prices in Zimbabwe rose by up to 500% after the government announced it had ended price controls. The Herald reported the lack of fuel at NOCZIM had led to ambulance fleets, army vehicles and the public transport sector becoming «paralysed». 22 October: Zimbabwe’s tobacco production has halved this year compared with 2002. The Tobacco Industry Marketing Board says the country’s output of its main export crop has fallen to its lowest level since independence in 1980. Less than 80 million kilograms of the country’s once lucrative crop was auctioned off durin this year’s sales season which started in April. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 22 October 2003)

* Zimbabwe. Manifestants arrêtés — Le 22 octobre, la police zimbabwéenne a arrêté des dizaines de manifestants qui s’étaient réunis pour protester contre la dégradation de leur situation économique qu’ils attribuent au gouvernement du président Robert Mugabe. Des membres de la NCA (l’Assemblée constitutionnelle nationale, coalition de partis politiques et d’associations étudiantes, religieuses et de défense des libertés civiques) ont déclaré que près de 400 personnes avaient été arrêtées et emmenées dans des commissariats. (Le Figaro, France, 23 octobre 2003)