* Ethiopie. Heurts mortels à Gambella — Des informations encore imprécises font état d’affrontements mortels entre deux communautés ethniques dans la zone de Gambella, près de la frontière avec le Soudan (à 450 km à l’ouest d’Addis-Abeba). Le HCR indique un bilan d’une trentaine de morts, alors que des sources humanitaires citées par AP parlent d’une centaine de tués. Des affrontements avaient déjà eu lieu dans cette zone dans le passé, mais jamais d’une telle intensité. Selon le site allafrica.com, les combats auraient commencé entre les ethnies Anuak et Nuer, suite à une embuscade qui a fait sept morts. Le rôle de l’armée est encore obscur. Envoyée sur place, elle aurait exercé une sorte de punition contre les Anuak. On ignore encore si ces violences sont liées aux accords d’exploitation d’éventuels gisements de pétrole. La convoitise territoriale pourrait s’être envenimée à cause de l’arrivée de grandes sociétés pétrolières venues explorer dans la région. (D’après Misna, Italie, 16 décembre 2003)

* Ethiopia. Violent land clashes — 16 December: Some 30 people are reported to have been killed in weekend violence near Ethiopia’s border with Sudan, though aid workers put the toll much higher. An Ethiopian Defence Ministry spokeswoman said troops had gone to Gambella region to restore calm. Fighting is said to have been sparked by a land dispute between ethnic communities living in the area. Schools, shops and offices are closed and hospitals are overstretched as scores of wounded are brought in. Domestic flights between the capital, Addis Ababa and Gambella have also been cancelled. An eyewitness said Ethiopian highlanders, supported by the military, have attacked local people. But army spokeswoman Major Harnet Yohannes said the soldiers were there only to keep the peace. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 16 December 2003)

* Ethiopia. Mengistu on trial — Nine years into the trial of former Ethiopian dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam and his regime, defence lawyers finally opened their defence on 16 December, against the 209 charges of crimes against humanity during what was called the Red Terror in the late 1970s. The trial of Mengistu and 69 of his aides has become a lesson in the challenges of resurrecting a local justice system to prosecute crimes committed by a former dictator and his government, and how local courts can’t always cope. While no one knows for sure how many people Mengistu’s Marxist regime, which ruled between 1974 and 1991, killed during the purge of suspected opponents, experts estimate the number to be 150,000. Human Rights Watch called the Red Terror «one of the most systematic uses of mass murder by a state ever witnessed». Rebels, led by Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister, seized power in 1991, and Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe. The government then began planning trials, which started in December 1994 and were hailed as «Africa’s Nuremberg». Mengistu is being tried in absentia. But the courts are inefficient — 1,017 people have been convicted, 6,426 are awaiting trial and more than 3,000, like Mr Mengistu, live in exile. The Information Minister, Bereket Simon, said: «Given our inefficiency in the judicial system...we need to overhaul it.» The trial is expected to last several more years. (The Independent, UK, 17 December 2003)

* Ethiopia. Malaria outbreak — 17 December: Aid agencies and government officials are battling with a ravaging malaria outbreak in Ethiopia. The number of deaths following the outbreak has risen by three times, according to aid agency officials. Efforts to contain the disease are being frustrated by the use of ineffective drugs, aid agency Médécins Sans Frontières (MSF) has said. The Ethiopian health ministry has allegedly rejected the use of a cocktail of drugs recommended by MSF. MSF spokeswoman in Ethiopia, Annick Hamel, said that 5,000 people are contracting malaria every week in the regions they operate from. She said about 15 million more are threatened by the outbreak — the worst ever seen in Ethiopia. Ms Hamel said the combination of drugs they recommend to use to contain the outbreak has been approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). But Ethiopian health officials are reportedly evaluating the drugs before they approve their use. MSF says the drugs are being used in South Africa, Zambia and Zanzibar, countries considered by the WHO to be malaria zones. (BBC News, UK, 17 December 2003)

* Guinée. Présidentielle le 21 décembre — La Guinée va vivre dimanche prochain une présidentielle sous tension mais sans suspense, commente l’agence AFP le 16 décembre. Un référendum en 2001 a permis au général Conté d’envisager un nouveau mandat, instaurant ce que l’opposition a qualifié de “présidence à vie”. Entre un président au pouvoir depuis près de 20 ans et notoirement malade, une armée secouée depuis fin novembre par des arrestations inexpliquées, un dialogue dans l’impasse et une situation économique désastreuse, l’éléction relève du non-événement. Les principales figures de l’opposition n’ont pas jugé utile de se présenter, estimant que l’affaire est encore une fois entendue d’avance. Le président Conté aura face à lui un seul adversaire, Mamadou Bhoye Barry, leader et unique député d’un petit parti difficilement classable, remarque encore AFP. — Le 16 décembre, les militaires guinéens interpellés entre le 26 et le 28 novembre dans différentes garnisons du pays, ont été libérés. Selon les observateurs, ces libérations interviennent dans un souci d’apaisement à la veille du scrutin présidentiel. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 17 décembre 2003)

* Kenya. Controversy over new coin — 11 December: A new coin bearing the image of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has sparked controversy after he promised to end personality cults. The new 40 shilling coin went into circulation, today, to mark 40 years of independence. Earlier this year, notes bearing the portrait of founding President Jomo Kenyatta were introduced. The notes were introduced after a pledge by the ruling Narc coalition, to end the «personality cult» in Kenya. Other new currencies unveiled include a re-designed 200 shilling note, a 5,000 shilling gold coin and a 1,000 shilling silver coin. These coins also feature Mr Kibaki’s image. Central bank governor Andrew Mullei said only the 40 shilling coin and 200 shilling note, that has the portrait of founding President Jomo Kenyatta, will be in circulation. The others will be collectors’ items. (BBC News, UK, 11 December 2003)

Kenya. Scandal newspapers fight ban — 11 December: Editors of press publications in Kenya known as scandal sheets have vowed to continue printing their newspapers, despite a government crackdown. They are seeking a court injunction to stop the government from removing their publications from the market. Attorney General Amos Wako ordered a crackdown this week. Last month some printed the HIV status of some MPs. The Kenya Union of Journalists backs the ban and says they are guilty of reckless reporting. The publications often contain lurid reports of Kenya’s rich and have been accused of thriving on character assassination. The Publisher of The Patriot, one of the targeted newspapers, Boy Matumbai, said the crackdown was designed to intimidate and harass them. «We should not be condemned wholesale, we have different editorial policies and if they think we miss-report they should sue for libel,» Mr Matumbai said. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 11 December 2003)

* Kenya. Moi summoned before murder probe — 16 December: Former President Daniel arap Moi is to be summoned on 5 January to answer questions about the murder of former foreign minister Robert Ouko. Parliamentary select committee chairman Gor Sunguh says they will also summon ex-minister Nicholas Biwott. Police never solved the murder 13 years ago, though Mr Moi and Mr Biwott have always denied any involvement. Mr Ouko’s body was found three days after he went missing having been shot, doused with petrol and set alight. He disappeared from his farm in western Kenya shortly after returning from a trip to the US. Mr Moi’s government set up and then disbanded investigations by both Scotland Yard and by the Gicheru Commission. Mr Sungah told a news conference that in order for their committee to do their task properly, they needed to cover areas not covered in previous investigations. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 16 December 2003)

* Kenya. Hunting for missing billions — 16 December: The authorities in Kenya are seeking to retrieve at least $1bn siphoned out of the  country by former officials. A six-month inquiry by investigative group Kroll has tracked the stolen money to accounts in big-name banks, and shares in London hotels. The money may already have passed on to less co-operative places such as Zimbabwe, Kenyan ministers believe. But experts say recovering the loot - possibly as much as $4bn — could be much more difficult than tracing it. The money in question is thought to have been embezzled during the previous administration of former President Daniel arap Moi, who ruled for 24 years before stepping down following election defeat in December last year. «Identifying the assets is just the first step,» Gladwell Odieno, Executive Director of anti-graft group Transparency International, said. (BBC News, UK, 16 December 2003)

* Liberia. Pause in disarmament — 15 December: The United Nations has ordered a pause in the Liberian disarmament process after more fighters wanted to hand in their weapons than was anticipated. More than 9,000 former fighters turned up at the Schieffelin military barracks, 25km east of the capital. The camp, which was designed to hold 1,000, has been overwhelmed and the UN says it will stop taking in the former combatants until 20 January. A UN spokeswoman said they could then return to finish off demobilising. The UN mission in neighbouring Sierra Leone, which successfully oversaw a disarmament process of its own, warned on Monday, that they were receiving reports that Liberian rebels are smuggling weapons over the border. They have reinforced their presence along the border. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 15 December 2003)

* Liberia. La MINUL débordée — La Mission des Nations unies au Liberia (MINUL) est dépassée par le nombre de volontaires au désarmement. Elle va donc ralentir le processus de désarmement, démobilisation, réhabilitation et réintégration (DDRR), qui ne peut répondre aux besoins sur place, quatre fois supérieurs aux évaluations. L’enregistrement des anciens combattants sera suspendu pendant un mois, à partir du 17 décembre, le temps d’améliorer les conditions de vie dans les camps. Le processus de désarmement avait débuté le 7 décembre. Mais de violentes émeutes menées par d’anciens soldats de l’ex-président Taylor avaient rapidement éclaté pour demander une amélioration des conditions de démobilisation. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 16 décembre 2003)

* Madagascar. Ratsiraka condamné — Un tribunal de Madagascar a condamné l’ancien président Didier Ratsiraka à cinq ans de prison pour avoir incité cinq provinces du pays à la sécession lors de la crise politique qui a secoué l’île en 2002, ont rapporté des avocats le 16 décembre. Ratsiraka, qui vit en exil en France, n’était pas présent lors de l’audience. Il avait déjà été condamné en août à dix ans de travaux forcés pour détournement de 8 millions de dollars. On ignore si les  autorités malgaches entendent réclamer son extradition. Didier Ratsiraka a quitté Madagascar en juillet 2002, après six mois de crise déclenchée par le résultat serré de l’élection présidentielle qui a porté finalement son rival au pouvoir. (Reuters, 16 décembre 2003)

* Madagascar. Former president sentenced to five years in prison — The authorities in Madagascar remained tight-lipped on 17 December over whether the government would seek to extradite Didier Ratsiraka from France after a court had sentenced the former president to five years in prison for his role in last year’s political crisis. Ratsiraka, who fled the country at the height of the political upheaval, did not appear in court at the hearing on 15 December. «At the moment we are not in a position to state if we are going to request Ratsiraka’s extradition or not, but some people would like to see him return, only so that he can answer all of the charges levelled at him. This sentence shows people that the government is committed to justice, and that justice applies to everyone, irrespective of their position,» presidential spokesman, Raymond Ramandimbilahatra, told IRIN. He confirmed that in August President Marc Ravalomanana turned down a request from the former ruler to return to the country. The five-year sentence was handed down as a result of Ratsiraka’s attempt to get five of the country’s six provinces to secede during the 2002 political troubles. Two of Ratsiraka’s former provincial governors were also sentenced to five years in prison at Monday’s hearing, while three other governors will have to serve three years each for their support of the attempted secession. (IRIN, Kenya, 17 December 2003)

* Malawi. No combined local and general elections — Malawi has recoiled from a plan to combine local and general elections billed for next year, after Parliament turned down a bill proposing that both polls be organised within three days. Malawi Electoral Commission chairman James Kalaile told PANA on 17 December that only presidential and parliamentary elections would be held next year. He regretted Parliament’s rejection of the bill, contending that «it doesn’t make sense to hold local government elections costing millions a year later,» adding that countries worldwide were opting for tri-partite elections «to cut down on costs and voter apathy.» Malawi is set to hold its third general elections on 18 May 2004. (PANA, Senegal, 17 December 2003)

* Mali. 1er producteur africain de coton — En 2003, avec une récolte de près de 625.000 tonnes, le Mali est devenu le premier producteur de coton en Afrique, devant l’Egypte, a déclaré le 17 décembre le directeur général de la Compagnie malienne de développement des textiles (CMDT). L’augmentation de la production, a-t-il expliqué, est liée à une bonne pluviométrie cette année et à la politique de prix d’achat au producteur “très incitatif” pratiquée par la CMDT. Il a en outre indiqué que pour la commercialisation la CMDT envisage de diversifier ses voies d’exportation. 87% de la production nationale seront évacués vers l’étranger. (D’après PANA, Sénégal, 17 décembre 2003)

* Mali. Children rescued from traffickers — The Malian authorities have rescued more than 100 children and teenagers from suspected traffickers believed to be taking them into forced labour in rice fields, officials in Mali said on 16 December. Police stopped 112 minors aged between 10 and 18 as they travelled in buses over the weekend in the Segou region, northeast of the capital Bamako. They arrested two suspected traffickers. Mohamed Attayer Maiga, national director for children at Mali’s ministry for women and children, told Reuters most of the children were from impoverished neighbour Burkina Faso, and had been sent back to their homes after police checked their papers. «As far as we are concerned, they are victims of trafficking because they are forced to come, forced to work and someone else takes the money,» he said. «Because what is trafficking? It’s making money off the back of children, of minors.» He said such children were normally taken to work in rice fields, often by traffickers working in complicity with tribal elders. (CNN, USA, 17 December 2003)

* Maroc/Espagne. Tunnel sous la Méditerranée — L’Espagne et le Maroc ont décidé de construire un tunnel ferroviaire sous la Méditerranée entre les deux pays, a annoncé le ministère espagnol du Développement. D’une longueur totale de 39 km, le tunnel parcourra 28 km sous le détroit de Gibraltar. Ce site a été choisi parce que la mer, à cet endroit, n’est profonde que d’environ 300 mètres. Le ministère précise dans un communiqué que le tunnel offrira une liaison ferroviaire similaire à celle du tunnel sous la Manche entre la France et la Grande-Bretagne. (Reuters, 13 décembre 2003)

* Morocco/Spain. Europe-Africa rail tunnel agreed — 14 December: Spain and Morocco say they have agreed to build a 39-kilometre rail tunnel beneath the Mediterranean Sea, to link Europe and Africa. The Spanish Development Ministry said two adjacent tunnels will run beneath the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco. They are planned to run between Punta Palomas, 40 km west of Gibraltar and Punta Malabata near Tangiers. The ministry said the route had been chosen because the Mediterranean at that point is just 300 metres deep. The ministry said that a joint Spanish and Moroccan committee of officials had already agreed a preliminary three-year plan of works to start as early as next year, with an estimated initial cost of $30m. The vision of a fixed link between Spain and Morocco has been alive for more than 20 years, and was revived at a summit in Morocco earlier this month. This plan could be put into action as early as next year but the eventual total cost of the project is likely to be much more. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 14 December 2003)

* Maroc. Conférence du G77 — Le 16 décembre, la conférence ministérielle du Groupe des 77 (G77), consacrée au “renforcement de la coopération Sud-Sud”, s’est ouverte au palais des congrès à Marrakech. Après l’échec du sommet de l’OMC à Cancun, cette conférence est censée permettre aux pays du Sud d’harmoniser leurs positions pour faire bloc face à ceux du Nord dans les négociations sur la libéralisation du commerce mondial. Créé en 1963 et présidé actuellement par le Maroc, le G77 compte désormais 135 pays, la Chine étant également associée à cette rencontre. “De nombreux pays du Sud sont aujourd’hui à même de faire bénéficier d’autres pays en développement de leur expertise et de leur savoir faire”, a déclaré le roi Mohammed VI lors du discours d’inauguration, lu par son ministre des Affaires étrangères. (AP, 16 décembre 2003)

* Maroc. Culture de cannabis — Réalisée avec le soutien de l’administration marocaine, une enquête de l’Onu sur le cannabis dans le royaume, lancée au cours de l’été et rendue publique le 15 décembre, confirme l’extension des superficies agricoles occupées par la culture du cannabis dans le nord du pays. Le revenu de 800.000 personnes, soit environ les deux tiers de la population rurale de la région, dépend de cette activité, qui génère un chiffre d’affaires annuel de quelque 10 milliards d’euros, souligne le document. (Toutefois, l’essentiel de ce chiffre d’affaires est réalisé par les “circuits de trafic dans les pays européens”). Concentrée sur trois provinces de la chaîne montagneuse du Rif, la culture du cannabis ne cesse de gagner du terrain. Elle s’étale aujourd’hui sur 134.000 hectares, soit plus du quart de la superficie agricole utile de la région. Le cannabis est d’une rentabilité bien supérieure à celle des autres cultures céréalières. (D’après Le Monde, France, 17 décembre 2003)

* Mauritanie. Le procès Ould Haidallah — 11 décembre. Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidallah, candidat arrivé en deuxième position à l’élection présidentielle du 7 novembre, est jugé depuis le 1er décembre par la cour criminelle de Nouakchott. Il est inculpé avec 14 de ses proches, dont l’un de ses fils, pour avoir voulu changer les institutions “par la violence” et avoir “porté atteinte aux intérêts stratégiques de la Mauritanie”. En clair, il est soupçonné d’avoir préparé un coup d’Etat avec l’aide financière de la Libye. Le 11 décembre, le procureur de la République a requis contre lui et ses 14 coaccusés des peines de 5 à 20 ans de prison ferme avec travaux forcés. Les avocats de la défense ont dénoncé “le caractère sévère du réquisitoire face à une accusation sans la moindre preuve”. —15 décembre. Le procès a été renvoyé “sine die”. La Cour a décidé de suspendre ses assises jusqu’à ce que le parquet présente devant elle des témoins, cités dans le réquisitoire du procureur et dans les procès verbaux de la police. Les avocats de la  défense ont exigé “la reprise immédiate des débats”. Selon eux, le délai “étant laissé à l’appréciation du parquet, le sort des accusés est laissé entre les mains de leurs adversaires politiques”. - On apprenait ensuite que le procès reprendra le jeudi 18 décembre. (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 17 décembre 2003)

* Mozambique. Cardoso trio in bank fraud trial — 12 December: Seventeen people go on trial in the capital, Maputo, accused of involvement in Mozambique’s largest bank fraud. Three of the men have already been convicted of killing of Mozambique’s best known journalist, Carlos Cardoso, who had been investigating the fraud. Some $14m disappeared from the Commercial Bank of Mozambique, prior to its privatisation seven years ago. The trial is at a top security prison because of safety concerns after several attempted escapes. Unlike in the Cardoso murder trial case, Judge Achirafo Abubacar turns down a request by Radio Mozambique and Mozambican Television to broadcast the trial live. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 12 December 2003)

* Nigeria. Kano turns down polo vaccination campaign — 12 December: The northern Nigerian state of Kano is not part of a new polio vaccination campaign being conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after health fears. Muslim leaders in the historic city say the vaccine has been laced with anti-fertility drugs. Scientific tests in Nigeria approved the injection. Nigeria has the world’s highest number of new polio cases, centred in Kano, and it is spreading to other countries. The WHO fears that its goal of eradicating polio by 2005 is now under threat. Some 15 million children in West Africa are at risk of contracting polio. The WHO is carrying out anti-polio vaccinations in the six worst affected states in Nigeria —except Kano. (ANB-BIA, Belgium, 12 December 2003)

* Nigeria. Human rights abuses — On 17 December, Human Rights Watch accused Nigerian security forces of killings and other abuses in the oil-rich southern Delta region. Human Rights Watch said the killings had arisen from efforts to end civil unrest in the region. Thousands have been displaced and hundreds killed since ethnic clashes erupted in March. Militant Ijaw youths have targeted oil firms and rival Itsekeri communities demanding a share of oil wealth. Human Rights Watch called on Nigeria to bring the perpetrators to justice, hold fresh elections in the region and crackdown on oil theft, which it said was fuelling the conflict. «There is an urgent need to end the impunity of the ethnic militia and their organisers, of those controlling the illegal oil bunkering activities and of the security forces when they are themselves responsible for abuses,» their report said. In a report released earlier this month, Human Rights Watch had accused the Nigerian Government of using  violence and intimidation to silence its critics. Responding to that report, Nigeria said the claims were «exaggerated». (BBC News, UK, 17 December 2003)

* Nigeria. Radical law to control oil revenue — Nigeria’s finance minister is proposing a radical new law to control the use of oil revenues as part of measures aimed at reducing official spending and addressing continued concerns about corruption. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, whose first budget is due to be sent to parliament this week, said the government planned to introduce a «fiscal responsibility bill» next year to set limits on how federal, state and local authorities spend their share of the country’s annual oil revenues of more than $10bn. The proposal, which has still to be finalised, aims to tackle the widespread problem of unrestrained spending of oil money shared directly between the federal government, 36 states and 774 local authorities. Many Nigerians have been dismayed at the lack of progress in tackling corruption since President Olusegun Obasanjo came to power in 1999. «This [bill] will be very important if we agree on it with the states, because it will give us a major handle on the fiscal side for managing the macro-economy,» Ms Okonjo-Iweala said in an interview with the Financial Times. Ms Okonjo-Iweala said the bill would create a mechanism for saving oil revenues if the international oil price rose above the rate budgeted by the government. The additional money would be paid directly into special accounts and would be released if the oil price fell below the budgeted rate, helping to smooth spending patterns and reduce the impact of oil market volatility on the economy. (Financial Times, UK, 18 December 2003)