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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 26-10-1997      PART #1/  

* African Synod. Where are we?  -  ANB-BIA has recently received a
report from Africa, about the follow-up to the African Synod which
took place more than two-and-a-half years ago. Zambia will have it
first National Pastoral Council next month. This will be a forum
where bishops, with the representatives of the religious and laity
will look together at issues concerning the whole Church. In
Tanzania, for the next two years, different groups of men, women
and children, are asked to look at the various aspects of the
culture in which they live today. In Uganda, the national Justice
and Peace Commission has made an important contribution in shaping
the new Ugandan Constitution. The Commission has gone on to educate
Catholics to their responsibilities as citizens. Preparations are
under way in Kenya, for a Pan-African Bible Celebration on 6
december in Uhuru park, Nairobi. Kenya and other AMECEA countries
have started to revive the Biblical Apostolate.   (Wolfgang
Schonecke, Kenya, 7 October 1997)

* Afrique. Conference des Eglises  -  La Conference des Eglises de
toute l'Afrique (CETA) a tenu son assemblee generale a Addis-Abeba
du 4 au 10 octobre. A l'issue de sa reunion, elle a elu a sa
presidence le professeur Kwesi Dickson, Ghaneen, age de 68 ans, qui
a ete president de l'Eglise methodiste du Ghana les sept dernieres
annees. Le professeur Kwesi Dickson succede ainsi a l'archeveque
Desmond Tutu, d'Afrique du Sud, qui a preside la CETA les dix
dernieres annees.   (Bulletin ENI, Geneve, 15 octobre 1997)

* Africa. The OAUūs peace efforts  -  The Organisation of African
Unity (OAU)'s peacekeeping initiative, which emphasises democratic
reforms and minimal military intervention, is slowly taking shape,
using the experience gained in conflict areas. The mechanism for
peace and stability on the continent, is formulating a set of
guidelines which promote dialogue and enforcement as a last resort.
The current initiative is being guided by the bitter-sweet
experiences of the West African Peacekeeping Force (ECOMOG), in
Liberia, and the disastrous UN efforts in Somalia. the Southern
Africa regional peacekeeping training programme, based on the OAU
Charter, focuses on the need to anticipate and prevent conflicts
before they flare up.   (PANA, 16 October 1997)

* Algerie. Le FIDA se rallie a l'appel du FIS  -  Un groupuscule
islamique arme, le Front islamique pour le djihad arme (FIDA), a
annonce le 15 octobre se rallier a l'appel du FIS qui avait exhorte
l'ensemble des mouvements autonomes a respecter l'engagement de
l'Armee islamique du salut (AIS) a cesser les combats a partir du
1 octobre. Le FIDA, connu pour etre specialise dans "l'assassinat
d'intellectuels", est le deuxieme groupe arme a se rallier a la
treve de l'AIS. Cependant, depuis le 1 octobre la violence ne s'est
pas sensiblement ralentie en Algerie. D'autre part, quatre prix
Nobel de la paix, dont le Dalai Lama, ont condamne les massacres en
Algerie et appele les parties en presence a negocier. Et la
secretaire d'Etat americaine Albright a declare envisager de revoir
la politique americaine envers l'Algerie, pour verifier si
Washington peut faire quelque chose pour arreter les massacres.  
(ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 20 octobre 1997)

* Algerie. Elections locales  -  Les elections locales en Algerie
doivent avoir lieu le 23 octobre, apres une campagne qui n'a guere
suscite d'interet. 83.000 candidats se disputeront les sieges de
1.500 conseils municipaux et 48 conseils de departement. Les
nomades du sud algerien et les habitants des zones ou la securite
n'a pas encore ete totalement maitrisee ont toutefois commence a
voter des le 20 octobre. Ce meme jour, un candidat d'un parti a
tendance islamiste, le MPS, a ete tue avec trois autres partisans,
dans une fusillade dans une mosquee de la province el-Oued dans le
sud-ouest du pays. Le gouvernement accuse les islamistes radicaux
de ces meurtres. En quelques jours, au moins 28 personnes ont ete
assassinees en Algerie; en outre, 17 islamistes armes ont ete tues
par les forces de securite. D'autre part, Djaafr el-Houari, l'un
des responsables du FIS a l'etranger, brandit depuis Londres la
menace d'un retour a la lutte armee si les elections locales
confirment l'impasse politique en Algerie.   (ANB-BIA, de sources
diverses, 21 octobre 1997)

* Algeria. Local elections amid continuing violence  -  15 October:
In a News Release issued by the International Secretariat of
Amnesty International, Amnesty International, the International
Federation of Human Rights, Human Rights Watch and Reporters sans
Frontieres, join together to appeal to the international community,
to act now to address the deteriorating human rights situation in
Algeria, and are calling on members of the UN Commission on Human
Rights, to convene a Special Session on the human rights situation
in Algeria. 16 October: Gunmen try to kill Mohamed Achouri-Chabi,
a former mayor and a leading candidate for Algeria's local
elections in the eastern commune of Zerizer. The elections are
scheduled for 23 October. 20 October: Women gather in Algiers to
show foreign reporters, pictures of young husbands, sons, daughters
or brothers taken from their homes or workplaces and never heard of
again. The newspapers say that suspected Muslim militants have
killed 21 people in a series of attacks over the weekend. More than
30 political parties, fielding about 80,000 candidates, are
expected to hold their final rallies today. 23 October: Local
elections.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 23 October 1997)

* Angola. Involvement in Congo-Brazzaville  -  16 October:
Residents in the Angolan enclave of Cabinda, say that troops and
equipment are still being moved to the border with Congo-
Brazzaville. Soldiers are reportedly landing at Cabinda Airport. 17
October: The OAU Secretary-General, calls for the immediate
withdrawal of all "foreign forces and mercenaries" from Congo-
Brazzaville and the implementation of a ceasefire. Angolan troops
are believed to have spearheaded the capture on 15 October, of the
Congo-Brazzaville city of Pointe-Noire. An Angolan military convoy
is reported to be heading towards the Congo-Cabinda border. Sources
in Luanda say the government admits its military involvement in the
Congo-Brazza conflict. 20 October: Security sources say that
Angolan troops have looted all they can from Pointe Noire, Congo-
Brazza. President dos Santos telephones Sassou Nguesso to
congratulate him on regaining power. 21 October: Angolan troops
start flying heavy weapons out of Brazzaville. 22 October: At last
1,000 Angolan soldiers are said to be in Brazzaville.   (ANB-BIA,
Brussels, 23 October 1997)

* Burundi. Session de l'Assemblee nationale  -  Le 6 octobre,
Leonce Ngendakumana, president de l'Assemblee nationale, a prononce
un discours-programme marquant l'ouverture de la nouvelle session
ordinaire du Parlement. La reussite des conferences debats
actuelles du Parlement marquent le succes des efforts de M.
Ngendakumana, determine a faire fonctionner cette unique
institution burundaise legale encore existante. Le president de
l'Assemblee a insiste sur les negociations et reaffirme
l'engagement du Parlement a tout faire pour que le processus de
paix aboutisse. Au cours de cette session, tous les sujets en
rapport avec la crise burundaise seront debattus. D'autre part, les
enseignants des ecoles primaires et secondaires ont, depuis le 10
octobre, entame une greve illimitee.   (Burundi-Bureau,
Bujumbura/Bonn, 17 octobre 1997)

* Burundi. A Parliament struggling to survive  -  Four years after
multi-party democracy was introduced in Burundi, the last remnants
of elected authority -- the parliament -- is hanging on by a
thread. The government of Major Buyoya, which seized power in a
1996 military coup, first dissolved parliament, then restored it
under pressure from countries in the region. But since its
resurrection a year ago, it has done little to fulfil its task of
passing laws and controlling the government's actions. This is
largely because it is desperately short of money. Only half the 81
Members attended the opening session earlier this month, most of
those who did not attend, are thought to be dead or in exile.
Twenty-three Members from the majority Frodebu party are missing,
presumed dead. Perhaps the most important factor in parliament's
impotence, is the suspension of the constitution, replaced last
year by a system of decrees.   (The Guardian, U.K., 17 October
1997)

* Cameroon. Post-election traumors  -  14 October: Opposition
leaders say they'll continue to protest against President Biya's
government. The Social Democratic Front (SDF)'s leader, John Fru
Nidi says: "The election boycott was just the first phase...the
real battle to liberate Cameroon actually began on 12 October". His
comments are echoed by Alexander Taku, a member of Parliament and
a member of the SDFūs executive board, who says: "On 25 October,
the Opposition's strategic committee will formalize a plan of
action". 19 October: State radio says that President Biya has taken
60% of the votes cast in the presidential elections. The radio does
not say how the other candidates have fared.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels,
227 October 1997

* The Commonwealth. Edinburgh Conference  -  20 October: Eight
countries, including Cameroon, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zambia,
all members of the Commonwealth and due to attend the meeting in
Edinburgh 24-27 October this year, do not respect the freedom of
the press. Since the last meeting held in Auckland in November
1995, ten journalists have been killed in Commonwealth countries
and 51 have been jailed. More than a hundred have been assaulted.
A special message to Commonwealth Heads of Government from various
international press organisation, draws attention to the numerous
violations in Nigeria against freedom of expression and calls for
Nigeria's expulsion from the Commonwealth. 21 October: Commonwealth
officials confirm that they have received a letter from Nigeria's
Foreign Minister, Tom Ikimi, saying that Nigeria's delegation will
fly direct from Abuja to Edinburgh, to arrive not earlier than one
hour before commencement of discussions on the agenda concerning
Nigeria. The delegation will then leave. 22 October: An Amnesty
International delegation led by Secretary-General Pierre Sane is in
Edinburgh, to raise the organisation's human rights concerns at the
Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the
Commonwealth's Secretary-General, tells Nigeria's Foreign Minister,
that his delegation will not be welcome at the Summit.   (ANB-BIA,
Brussels, 23 October 1997)

* Comores. Referendum de discorde  -  Le president de la
coordination separatiste d'Anjouan, Foundi Abdallah Ibrahim, a
lance le 12 octobre la campagne pour le referendum
d'autodetermination du 26: une consultation que desapprouve la
classe politique comorienne, toutes tendances confondues. Le
gouvernement de Moroni a conditionne sa participation a la
conference inter-comorienne d'Addis-Abeba a l'annulation de ce
referendum. L'OUA a annonce de son cote, le 14 octobre, qu'elle ne
reconnaitrait pas le resultat d'une telle consultation.   (Lettre
de l'Ocean Indien, France, 18 octobre 1997)

* Congo-Brazzaville. La guerre est finie  -  16 octobre. Dans un
entretien accorde a Radio France International, Denis Sassou
Nguesso, vainqueur de la guerre civile, a annonce son intention de
former le plus rapidement possible un gouvernement d'union
nationale. Un porte-parole de son parti, Forces democratiques
unies, a declare qu'une transition de plusieurs mois sera
necessaire avant une election presidentielle honnete et
transparente. La victoire de Nguesso a ete reconnue par les Nations
unies, Paris et Washington. Quant au president en fuite, Pascal
Lissouba, il a declare qu'il etait toujours au Congo et se
considerait toujours comme le chef de l'Etat legitime. 17 octobre.
Les partisans du president renverse tiennent encore la ville de
Dolisie, chef-lieu du Niari, la region d'origine de M. Lissouba, ou
il s'y trouverait lui-meme. Dans les quartiers sud de Brazzaville,
bastions pro-Lissouba, ainsi qu'a Pointe-Noire, des scenes de
pillage ont succede aux combats. 18-19 octobre. Pascal Lissouba a
quitte le pays et s'est refugie au Burkina Faso. Les chefs des
milices "cobras" tentent de limiter les pillages de leurs hommes,
qui ont continue durant le week-end. Le Premier ministre, B.
Kolelas, refugie a Kinshasa, se dit determine a renverser Sassou
Nguesso. Le gouvernement de Kinshasa n'a pas encore reagi a la
victoire de Nguesso. 20 octobre. Prise des villes de Dolisie et
Loudima, dans le sud, par les forces du nouveau pouvoir. 21
octobre. Des equipes humanitaires, comprenant le Programme
alimentaire mondial (PAM), l'Unicef et des ONG, ont quitte Kinshasa
pour Brazzaville afin d'evaluer les besoins de la population et de
voir comment venir en aide aux quelque 650.000 deplaces eparpilles
a travers le pays. D'autre part, seize ressortissants etrangers (11
Russes, 3 Francais et 2 Belges) sont incarceres au quartier general
de la police de Pointe-Noire, accuses d'etre des mercenaires. 22
octobre. Plus de mille soldats angolais se sont deployes dans
Brazzaville. Ils gardent l'aeroport et les locaux de la presidence,
ou Sassou Nguesso est attendu le 25. Des echauffourrees continuent
cependant: 17 membres des milices cobras ont ete tues dans une
embuscade aux alentours de Brazzaville.   (ANB-BIA, de sources
diverses, 23 octobre 1997)

* Congo-Brazza. Nguesso consolidates his control  -  16 October:
General Denis Sassou Nguesso consolidates his control over the
country. Deposed President Lissouba says he is still his country's
legitimate leader, even though he is in hiding. In Brazzaville,
jubilant Cobra militiamen celebrate, as their commander, General
Jean-Marie Tassoua, confirms that his forces are hunting Mr
Lissouba. Witnesses in Pointe-Noire, describe Angolan tanks moving
through the city throughout the day. Some describe the Angolans as
the main force in the city. Brazzaville is reported calm. Elf
Aquitaine says it is suspending operations at its terminal in
Djeno, southern Congo. 17 October: Talks have started in
Brazzaville between the French ambassador, Ramond Cesaire, and
Congolese officials, after France officially accepts that it has to
deal with Nguesso. This follows a statement by France's African
Cooperation Minister, Charles Josselin, that Mr Sassou Nguesso was
the person France had to negotiate with, to ensure a new democratic
process in Congo-Brazzaville. The OAU joins the UN in calling for
an end to the fighting and the withdrawal of foreign forces -- a
reference to Angolan troops operating out of its Cabinda enclave.
18 October: Sassou Nguesso announces that talks will begin soon on
a transition period in the country, leading to a "free and
transparent presidential election". 18-19 October: Pillaging
continues in Brazzaville during the weekend. 20 October: President
Lissouba is in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso. It is reported that
Angolan troops have pillaged Pointe Noire. Ousted Prime Minister
Bernard Kolelas vows to use his 4,000-strong militia force to fight
Sessou Nguesso. The towns of Dolisie and Loudima in the south are
captured by Sessou Nguesso's Democratic and Patriotic Forces (FDP).
21 October: Angolan troops start flying heavy weapons out of
Brazzaville. The Red Cross search for and bury bodies in
Brazzaville and Pointe Noire. 22 October: At least 1,000 Angolan
soldiers are said to be in Brazzaville. There is reported to be
fresh outbreaks of looting in Brazzaville and scattered resistance
from rival militia fighters on the outskirts of the city.   (ANB-
BIA, Brussels, 23 October 1997)

* Congo (RDC). Vers un service militaro-rural?  -  Le gouvernement
a annonce, le 15 octobre, le lancement de chantiers ruraux pour les
jeunes sans emploi. On creerait des chantiers ruraux encadres par
l'armee, ou des jeunes recevront une formation civique et un
entrainement paramilitaire d'autodefense. Au depart, le recrutement
se fera sur une base volontaire, mais le general Kalume, charge du
projet, n'a pas exclu que ce service devienne obligatoire. Les
volontaires seront charges de rehabiliter des plantations et des
fermes abandonnees. La presse d'opposition s'est inquietee de la
formation paramilitaire promise a ces jeunes.   (La Libre Belgique,
17 octobre 1997)

* Congo RDC. Opposition figure arrested  -  Valentin Mubaki, a
former opposition leader in the now defunct parliament of Congo
RDC, has been arrested along with his wife, political allies said
on 20 October. Mubaki, a close ally of Etienne Tshisekedi, was
arrested at Kinshasa Airport from where he was scheduled to travel
to the United States on 19 October. President Kabila has vowed to
crack down on political parties or activists defying ban on all
opposition activity during a two-year transition period.  
(InfoBeat, USA, 20 October 1997)

* Congo (RDC). Attentat contre le chef des Renseignements  -  A
Kinshasa, dans la nuit du 18 au 19 octobre, le chef de l'Agence
nationale de renseignements (les services secrets), M. Severin
Kabwe, un Luba du Katanga, a ete victime d'un attentat. On a tire
sur lui dans un quartier ou des Tutsis fetaient le premier
anniversaire de la chute de Goma. Selon certaines sources, il
serait grievement blesse et aurait ete transfere en Afrique du Sud.
D'autre part, selon des rumeurs dans la presse de Kinshasa, le
ministre des Affaires etrangeres, Bizima Karaha, un Tutsi,
egalement soigne en Afrique du Sud, aurait ete victime d'un
empoisonnement, mais aucun medecin n'a confirme ces rumeurs. A
Kinshasa les commentaires vont bon train sur d'eventuelles
rivalites au sein du pouvoir.   (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 21
octobre 1997)

* Congo (RDC). Calendrier electoral reporte  -  Dans une conference
de presse donnee a Bruxelles le 22 octobre, M. Marcel Kalonji,
conseiller economique du president Kabila, a affirme que "le
calendrier politique annonce" ne pourra se realiser qu'apres
certains prealables: securiser le territoire de la Republique et
mettre sur pied les infrastructures sociales et materielles. Dans
le domaine economique, M. Kalonji s'est montre assez optimiste:
l'inflation est stabilisee, les hommes d'affaires occidentaux
affluent et le nouveau franc congolais sera mis en circulation le
1 janvier.   (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 23 octobre 1997)

* Egypte. Condamnations a mort  -  Trois chefs du Djihad, une des
deux principales organisations islamistes armees egyptiennes, ont
ete condamnes a mort -dont deux par contumace- le 15 octobre, par
une haute cour militaire. Le tribunal, dont les decisions sont sans
appel, a condamne 53 autres islamistes a des peines de prison
allant de deux ans a la perpetuite. D'autre part, la Djamaa
islamiya, principal groupe islamiste arme egyptien, dans un
communique du 17 octobre, a deconseille aux etrangers de se rendre
en Egypte en raison de la gravite de la situation.   (Le Monde,
France, 17-19 octobre 1997)

* Egypt. Militants warn tourists after bus attack  -  On 17
October, Egypt's largest Muslim militant organisation warned
tourists against visiting Egypt, a month after two brothers killed
nine Germans in a firebomb and gun attack on a tour bus. In a
statement, the Gama'a al-Islamiya (Islamic Group) hailed the attack
and said it proved the people had turned against the state. The
authenticity of the statement could not be confirmed but it was
full of Koranic quotations and written in the classical Arabic
style used in other Gama'a communiques.   (InfoBeat, USA, 17
October 1997)

* Egypte. Oleoduc egypto-libyen  -  Un oleoduc egypto-libyen d'une
capacite de 950.000 barils/jour sera construit prochainement pour
acheminer du petrole libyen vers des raffineries en Egypte, a
annonce, le 9 octobre, le ministre egyptien du Petrole. L'etude
technique du projet et les travaux de nettoyage sur le parcours
qu'empruntera l'oleoduc, long de 622 km, sont deja acheves.  
(Marches Tropicaux, France, 17 octobre 1997)

* Egypt. Farmers face eviction  -  Some of the millions of tenant
farmers in Egypt's Nile Delta are facing the threat of eviction, as
a new law on agricultural land goes into effect. The new law is
part of the government's effort to liberalise the economy. It
allows land-owners to raise rental rates to market levels, and
authorises the eviction of tenants who refuse to pay. It is
difficult to say how many of Egypt's tenant farmers are facing
similar crises. Government officials insist the situation is under
control.   (VOA, 20 October 1997)

* Ghana. Alleged sect members face coup plot charges  -  Five
Ghanaians, reputedly belonging to an obscure London-based sect, the
Holy Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, are on trial charged with
plotting the first alleged coup attempt since the return of
constitutional rule to Ghana in 1992. The prosecution says that the
five, allegedly led by two retired and fugitive army officers, were
preparing to overthrow the government by force, in September 1994.
If convicted, the five, who pleaded not guilty when the trial
opened on 15 October, face the death penalty.   (InfoBeat, USA, 17
October 1997)

* Kenya. Inondations  -  Sur la cote kenyane, le long de l'ocean
Indien, des tempetes et des inondations ont provoque la mort de 23
personnes. Le gouverneur de la province craint que le nombre de
victimes ne s'accroisse. L'eau a balaye non seulement de nombreuses
huttes, mais egalement des batiments en dur. Le service
meteorologique du Kenya a mis en garde contre de possibles
inondations dans d'autres regions du pays.   (De Standaard,
Belgique, 23 octobre 1997)

* Lesotho. Electoral processes  -  The Lesotho government has
earmarked 9.5 million dollars to spend on the electoral processes
leading to the local government elections before the end of the
year, and next years parliamentary elections. According to Thabo
Tsepane of the Elections office, 3.2 million dollars will be spent
on producing voter identity cards for use in both elections by
voters. The remainder will be used for voter education and to
procure equipment and materials. However, political pundits in
Maseru, believe the final bill could be well in the neighbourhood
of 12.7 million dollars. The registered voter population in the
country is set to swell from the present 800,000 to well over one
million, following a parliamentary amendment to the constitution,
which brought the voting age down from 21 years to 18.   (Africa
Press Bureau, Johannesburg, 19 October 1997)

* Libye. L'Afrique du Sud demande la fin des sanctions  - 
L'Afrique du Sud a plaide, le 20 octobre, pour mettre un terme aux
sanctions imposees a la Libye par les Nations unies. Selon le
ministre sud-africain des Affaires etrangeres, Alfred Nzo, la Libye
a montre sa bonne volonte en proposant que les deux Libyens accuses
dans l'attentat de Lockerbie soient juges dans un pays neutre. Le
president Mandela, qui est arrive le 22 octobre a Tripoli, a reagi
vivement aux critiques des Etats-Unis contre cette visite. Il tient
a remercier la Libye pour son soutien a la lutte contre
l'apartheid.   (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 23 octobre 1997)

* Libya/South Africa. A bumpy Lockerbie trip  -  22 October: South
Africa's President Mandela sets out on what is likely to prove a
bumpy road --literally and metaphorically -- from Cairo to Tripoli
on a mission to settle the long-running dispute between Libya, the
United States and Britain over the 1988 Lockerbie air disaster. Mr
Mandela will be throwing his weight behind efforts by the
Organisation of African Unity and the Non-Aligned Movement, to
persuade the Western powers to accept a compromise deal whereby the
Libyan suspects in the Pan Am bombing will stand trial in a
"neutral" country. Mr Mandela will travel by road to Tripoli to
avoid breaching UN air sanctions against Libya. Mr Mandela tells
reporters that he remains unimpressed by US opposition to his
missions, adding: "Those who say I should not be here are without
morals. I am not going to join them in their lack of morality".  
(ANB-BIA, Brussels, 23 October 1997)

* Mozambique. Need for "new blood" in the army  -  Prime Minister
Pascoal Mocumbi has spoken of the need to inject new blood into the
Mozambique Defense Armed Forces (FADM). He said that youths will
again be drafted into the army from next year, in order to
guarantee the country's continued stability and the national
economic growth. The prime minister declined, however, to come up
with figures. He said the issue of the drafting of youths into the
army, will still have to be examined by Parliament.   (AFJN,
Washington, 17 October 1997)

* Mozambique. Agriculteurs sud-africains  -  Le gouvernement
mozambicain a distribue 35 fermes a des agriculteurs sud-africains
et mozambicains. 14 fermes ont ete attribuees dans la province de
Niassa a des agriculteurs sud-africains qui s'y trouvent deja
installes. 11 autres sont allees a des Sud-Africains qui se
trouvent en voie d'installation. Les 10 fermes qui restent seront
attribuees a des agriculteurs mozambicains qui seront designes par
des organisations agricoles de leur pays. Chacun des fermiers
recevra une allocation d'installation de 50.000 rands. Les
autorites sud-africaines ont donne leur accord a l'utilisation de
la ferme experimentale de Matama pour la preparation des fermiers
mozambicains.   (Marches Tropicaux, France, 17 octobre 1997)

* Nigeria. Commonwealth urged to throw out Nigeria.  -  17 October:
From The Guardian (U.K.) 17 October: Nigerian opposition groups are
piling on the pressure for the country's expulsion from the
Commonwealth at the forthcoming Edinburgh Summit, insisting that
the Lagos regime has not met conditions for staying in the
Commonwealth. Hafsat Abiola, daughter of Chief Moshood Abiola,
presumed winner of the annulled 1993 elections, urges the
Commonwealth to avoid double standards. "My father loves the people
of Nigeria", she says. "He will never abandon them in their hour of
need". From Africa Press Bureau (Johannesburg): Nigeria's roving
ambassador, Joseph Garba, delivers a special message to Zambia's
President Chiluba from Nigeria's President Abacha. Garba
immediately leaves for Zimbabwe on a similar mission. 21 October:
Nigeria's Foreign Minister has sent a letter to the Commonwealth
secretary-general, saying that the Nigerian delegation will travel
by air from Abuja to Edinburgh non-stop, and will leave immediately
after discussions concerning Nigeria on the agenda. 22 October: The
Commonwealth's Secretary-General says that the Nigerian delegation
will "not be welcome" at the Summit.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 23
October 1997)

* Ouganda. Mouvements rebelles  -  Le president Museveni a encore
accuse le Soudan de soutenir les rebelles ougandais du LRA (Lord's
Resistance Army). Selon le journal independant Monitor, pres de
1.000 civils ont ete tues en Ouganda depuis le debut de l'annee,
dont 70% par le LRA. D'autre part, un autre mouvement rebelle,
l'ADF (Allied Democratic Forces), actif dans l'ouest du pays, a
declare qu'il etait pret a ouvrir des negociations avec le
gouvernement sous certaines conditions, dont l'instauration d'un
systeme de multipartisme.   (IRIN, Nairobi, 17 octobre 1997)

* Rwanda. International Tribunal  -  The International Tribunal for
Rwanda continues to be dogged by a shortage of competent
prosecutors to lead the on-going trials of the 1994 genocide. The
Chief Prosecutor of the International Tribunals for Rwanda and
Yugoslavia says: "Recruitment of competent staff in both the
Tribunals is my biggest problem, but I'm trying very hard to narrow
down and get the right people so we can be able to operate
efficiently".   (The East African, Kenya, 13-19 October 1997)

* Rwanda. Inquietudes alimentaires  -  La situation alimentaire
provoque des inquietudes croissantes au Rwanda, particulierement
dans les prefectures de Gikongoro, Gitarama et Kibuye, car les
pluies saisonnieres marquent un retard de quatre semaines. Si cela
continuait, on prevoit des pertes importantes dans les recoltes. Le
Premier ministre Rwigema a demande l'aide des donateurs et des
organisations humanitaires. La FAO a estime qu'environ 30.000
tonnes de nourriture devraient etre fournies chaque mois jusqu'a la
fin de l'annee. Le 22 octobre, on apprenait toutefois que les
pluies etaient arrivees sur toute l'etendue du territoire.   (ANB-
BIA, de sources diverses, 17-22 octobre 1997)

* Rwanda. Attaque d'un camion du PAM  -  Le chauffeur d'un camion
du Programme alimentaire mondial, un civil, un policier, un
militaire et cinq assaillants ont ete tues, le 21 octobre, dans une
embuscade dans la prefecture de Kibuye. Le camion faisait partie
d'un convoi transportant de l'aide alimentaire. Il transportait 15
tonnes de nourriture, qui ont ete brulees par les assaillants. On
apprend d'autre part que de nouveaux combats opposent ces jours-ci
l'armee rwandaise aux rebelles hutu autour de Ruhengeri (au nord).
L'armee a recemment menace les populations civiles, promettant
"d'en finir avec les rebelles et leurs collaborateurs".   (ANB-BIA,
de sources diverses, 23 octobre 1997)

* Sierra Leone. Continuing war situation  -  16 October: An air
strike and artillery barrage by the Nigerian-led force spearheading
attempts to restore Sierra Leone's elected president, kills at
least nine people on opposite sides of Freetown. 18 October: About
70 people are killed in a road accident, west of Freetown, whilst
fleeing the Nigerian bombardment of the city. 20 October: Britain
promises to work for the restoration of the elected government in
Sierra Leone.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 21 October 1997)

* Sierra Leone. Bombardements et cessez-le-feu  -  Treize civils
ont ete tues par des bombardements menes le 16 octobre sur Freetown
par des avions de combat nigerians. Une bombe a explose sur le
village de Kissy, a environ 8 km de Freetown, tuant sur le coup 8
personnes. Cinq autres sont mortes le lendemain de leurs blessures.
Le Nigeria affirme agir au nom de la Communaute economique des
Etats d'Afrique de l'Ouest, qui a pourtant rejete la violence pour
chasser la junte. - Le 21 octobre, un cessez-le-feu est entre en
vigueur a Freetown, a la veille de l'ouverture a Conakry (Guinee)
de nouvelles negociations regionales sur l'avenir de la Sierra
Leone.   (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 23 octobre 1997)

* South Africa. TRC  -  20 October: The TRCūs Chief Executive
Officer, Dr Biki Minyuku, accepts the resignation of the TRCūs
National Director of Investigations, Mr Glenn Goosen. In his
statement, Dr Minyuku says that the resignation of Mr Glenn Goosen
was triggered by disagreements over the reorganisation of the TRCūs
Investigative Unit which emerged last week. He also says that the
TRC deeply regrets Mr Goosen's resignation two months before the
expiration of his contract. His departure will leave a substantial
gap to be bridged by other staff. 21 October: Archbishop Desmond
Tutu begs white South Africans who have yet to apologise to the
TRC, to join the post-apartheid reconciliation process before it is
too late.   (TRC, South Africa, 21 October 1997)

* Sudan. Forcible conscription of students  -  The National
Democratic Alliance (NDA) has issued a memorandum concerning the
forcible conscription of Sudanese students, the degrading treatment
of female students and the continuation of the long-running civil
war in the Sudan. The NDA says that the National Islamic Front
(NIF) party, has imposed a conscription programme for all secondary
school leavers, starting with the batch of 1996-1997. The regime
has decreed that no student will be allowed to either receive his
Sudan School Certificate or enrol in any university or institute of
higher education, unless he has first performed the so-called
compulsory military service which lasts 18 months.   (NDA, Cairo,
12 October 1997)

* Sudan. Negotiations for new government structures  -  The
President's Assistant for The Affairs of the South, Dr. Barak
Mushar, says that the government will announce on 23 October, the
formation of political and constitutional institutions in the
Sudanese south, according to the Agreement of Khartoum, which was
reached by the Sudanese government with some southern factions.
Mushar delivered to President Omar Al Bashir, a list of the
candidates who will participate in the election of the ruling
positions in the southern provinces. Mushar also delivered the
rules and regulations of the parliamentary councils in these
provinces to the President.   (PeaceLink for Africa, 18 October
1997)

* Tchad. Accord avec des mouvements touareg  -  Le gouvernement
tchadien a signe, le 8 octobre, un accord de paix avec quatre
mouvements politico-militaires touareg, selon un communique
conjoint. L'accord inclut une amnistie generale pour les rebelles,
une clause permettant aux groupes de former des partis politiques,
une aide pour la reintegration de refugies et la reinsertion de
personnes ayant quitte leurs postes pour des raisons politiques.  
(Africanews, Nairobi, 16 octobre 1997)

* Tunisie/France. Visite officielle  -  Le chef d'Etat tunisien,
Zine Ben Ali, est arrive a Paris le 20 octobre pour une visite
officielle de deux jours. Cette visite a donne lieu a une polemique
entre defenseurs des droits de l'homme et partisans de la ligne de
l'Elysee. Deux accords de "partenariat" ont ete signes. Le premier
est destine a faciliter la mise a niveau de l'economie tunisienne
et porte notamment sur l'aide de la France aux entreprises
tunisiennes, l'amenagement de zones industrielles et la formation
professionnelle. Le second veut soutenir les investissements
francais en Tunisie.   (d'apres Le Monde, France, 21-22 octobre
1997)

* Tunisia. France pressed to produce an ethical foreign policy  - 
France's left-wing government is under pressure to introduce a
human rights element into its foreign policy. The issue has come to
the fore as result a of a two-day visit to France by Tunisian
President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali beginning on 20 October. France
is Tunisia's biggest trade and investment partner. The visit is due
to pave the way for reinforced commercial links between the two
countries in the context of Tunisia's 1995 association agreement
with the European Union. Human rights organisations, press freedom
groups and Tunisian exiles have called on the Jospin government, to
raise the issue of continued human rights abuses in strong terms
with Mr Ben Ali.   (Financial Times, 21 October 1997)

* Western Sahara. UN mission renewed until next April  -  On 20
October, the UN Security Council approved a six-month renewal of a
UN observer force in Western Sahara, and asked the Secretary-
General to submit a plan by 15 November, for holding a long-delayed
referendum on the territory's future. The Security Council
unanimously approved the six-month renewal of the observer force,
until 20 April 1998.   (InfoBeat, USA, 20 October 1997)

* Zambia. "Civil war could erupt"  -  On October 17, the Zambian
weekly tabloid, The Chronicle", quoted former president Kenneth
Kaunda's son, Wezi, as warning that unless the MMD government
resolves contentious issues on the constitution and the electoral
process, civil war would erupt with catastrophic consequences.
Wezi, Dr.Kaunda's third-born son, said that Zambia may end up like
Rwanda if contentious issues such as the electoral process and the
fact that only second generation Zambians qualify for contesting
the presidency were not resolved amicably.   (Africa Press Bureau,
Johannesburg, 19 October 1997)

* Zambia. Commercial news  -  20 October: Zambia and Namibia have
signed an US$18 million agreement, to upgrade the power supply line
from Zambia's Victoria Falls power station in Livingstone, to
Namibia's Caprivi Strip. The project will be jointly executed by
the utility power companies of the two countries. The same day, it
is announced that the state-owned Zambia National Commercial Bank
is to establish branches in Lubumbashi and Kinshasa. Market
research undertaken recently by the Zambian bank and the World
Bank, indicate that Congo DRC is a very viable market that needs
exploitation. (Editor's note: On 14 October, the World Bank
approved a soft loan to Zambia, of 70 million US dollars for the
rehabilitation and maintenance of the country's road
infrastructure.)   (Africa Press Bureau, Johannesburg, 20 October
1997)

* Zimbabwe. Nationalisations  -  Cinq millions d'hectares des
terres des 4.000 grands proprietaires fonciers blancs, restes au
Zimbabwe apres l'independance, seront nationalises et redistribues
a des Noirs. Le gouvernement zimbabween ne versera aucune
compensation a ces fermiers, a reaffirme le 13 octobre le president
Mugabe. Il a rappele que les colons britanniques s'etaient empares
de la terre sans payer et que le Zimbabwe n'avait donc pas a
racheter ces terres.   (Marches Tropicaux, France, 17 octobre 1997)

***********************************************************
* DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE - DOCUMENTS DISPONIBLES SUR DEMANDE *
***********************************************************

===> KENYA
Title: Public Statement of the Catholic Bishops of Kenya on the
Current Situation in Our Motherland
Source: Kenya Episcopal Conference, 1 October 1997
Description: The bishops note with concern matters dealing with the
following burning issues: insecurity, burning of voters' cards,
teachers strike, Constitutional reforms   
***** (Ask for/Demander: DOC\KEN1021.txt - ASCII  text)

===> SUDAN
Title: An Appeal to the International Community for solidarity with
the Sudanese people against the forcible conscription of students
for civil war, and the persecution of female students in the Sudan
Source: The National Democratic Alliance, 12 October 1997
Description: The introduction states: "It gives me great pleasure
to address you in connection with the campaign that the Sudanese
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has launched against the
forcible conscription of Sudanese students, the degrading treatment
of female students, and the continuation of the long-running civil
war in the Sudan. Please find attached herewith, the memorandum
containing the salient facts of the problem".
***** (Ask for/Demander: DOC\SUD1018.TXT-ASCII text)

===>  RWANDA
Titre: Lettre pastorale a ses fideles
Auteur: Mgr Alexis Habiyambere, eveque du diocese de NYUNDO
S/TITRES: Luttons pour la pix dans notre dioceese. Condamnons ce
qui sape la paix. Conclusions.
Date: 3 septembre 1997   
****  (Ask for/Demander: DOC\RWA1022.WP - WordPerfect 5.1)