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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 19-02-1998      PART #1/  

* Africa. Action against the Media  -  Congo RDC: According to
information received by Reporters sans Frontieres, Bonsange Yema,
editor of the newspaper L'Alarme, was arrested on 7 February. He is
presently being detained at National Police Headquarters in
Kinshasa. His arrest is in connection with the publication on 7
February, of a press release demanding the release of Joseph
Olenghankoy, president of the Forces Novatrices pour l'Union et la
Solidarite. The Gambia: Baboucar Gaye, proprietor of Citizen FM
Radio, was detained on 10 February, and the enforced closure of the
radio station continued on 11 February. Liberia: Independent radio
station, Star Radio, resumed broadcasting on 6 February, after
government authorities lifted a ban imposed on 7 January. Namibia:
On 13 February, Hannes Smith, editor of the Windhoek weekly, The
Observer, was committed to prison for failing to produce
confidential documents to a coroner conducting an inquest in the
1989 assassination of political activist, Anton Luboswski. Nigeria:
On 4 February, security agents raided the Ibandan Oyo state offices
of the Daily Sketch, and disrupted the production of the day's
edition. Rwanda: In a 13 February letter, Reporters sans Frontieres
protested the ill-treatment of two imprisoned journalists,
Dominique Makeli and Amiel Nkuliza. Sierra Leone: On 4 February,
the independent The Vision and the Independent Observer were
officially suspended for failing to pay their registration taxes.
Tanzania: On 3 February, two newspapers were ordered to apologize
to members of the public they allegedly defamed in their reportage.
Apart from their apologies, the judge ordered the two papers to sit
with their victims and "in a friendly manner", sort out other
possible remedies and report back to him on the progress.   (IFEX,
Canada, 11-13 February 1998)

* Africa/USA. Clinton in Africa  -  11 Feb.: The White House says
President Clinton will visit Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana
and Senegal in a twelve-day journey beginning 22 March. A statement
said the Presidential trip highlights a new US partnership with an
African continent increasingly open to democracy and free markets -
- and efforts by the administration to promote human rights and
prevent conflicts. It will be the first trip to sub-Saharan Africa
by a sitting US chief executive since former President Jimmy Carter
went there two decades ago. Mr.Clinton's plan to visit South Africa
as part of the trip had been announced earlier. Uganda and Botswana
have enacted market reforms and are among the fastest growing
economies in the region. The President is pressing Congress to
slash trade barriers with reform-minded African states, as part of
the initiative he announced last year, to turn former aid clients
in Africa into trading partners.   (VOA, 11 February 1998)

* Africa. Cholera update.  -  Congo-Brazzaville: Up to 5 February
1998, a total of 485 cases with 83 deaths, had been reported since
the outbreak began on 27 November 1997. Four areas of Pointe Noire
are currently affected, worsened by the lack of sanitary conditions
and available drinking water. WHO is facilitating the exchange of
information with the neighbouring countries, where the cholera
epidemic is severe. Comoros Islands: Up to 7 February, a total of
193 cases with 8 deaths had been reported on Grande Comore Island.
Measures to prevent the further spreading and the effective
treatment of cases, have been implemented by the cholera task force
which was recently set-up by the Ministry of Health and WHO.
Mozambique: The outbreak which began in the port city of Beira two
weeks ago, has increased dramatically, and around 2,000 cases with
109 deaths had occurred up to 9 February, according to reports from
the national health authorities. Strict control measures are being
implemented by the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with other
health organizations but are hampered by the very poor sanitary
conditions prevailing in the city.   (Peacelink, Italy, 14 February
1998)

* Afrique de l'Est. Prevision de nouvelles pluies  -  Des
precipitations superieures a la moyenne sont prevues sur la plus
grande partie de la region entre mars et mai cette annee, et la
situation alimentaire restera precaire; telle a ete la conclusion,
le 13 fevrier, d'une conference regroupant durant une semaine des
experts en meteorologie. Selon les experts, le phenomene El Ni¤o,
qui a provoque de fortes pluies a travers toute la region, a
desormais passe son point culminant, mais de tres chaudes
temperatures a la surface de la mer sont toujours enregistrees a
l'ouest de l'ocean Indien et au sud de l'Atlantique. Bien que le
sud du Soudan, l'ouest de l'Ethiopie, le centre-nord du Kenya et le
nord de l'Ouganda devraient connaitre des precipitations
inferieures a la normale, les risques d'importantes secheresses
sont faibles. La situation de securite alimentaire reste precaire
dans la region, ajoute le communique.   (IRIN, Nairobi, 14 fevrier
1998)

* Afrique de l'Ouest. Vers une monnaie unique  -  Un sommet de la
Communaute economique des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (CEDEAO)
devait reunir, le 17 fevrier a Abuja (Nigeria), les chefs d'Etat du
comite ad hoc en charge du projet d'adoption d'une monnaie unique.
Ce groupe de reflexion comprend les chefs d'Etat de la Cote
d'Ivoire, du Ghana, du Mali, du Nigeria et du Togo. La rencontre
devait etre precedee d'une conference des ministres des Finances et
des directeurs des Banques centrales des seize pays membres de la
CEDEAO.   (L'Autre Afrique, France, 18 fevrier 1998)

* Algeria. Peace march halted -- indeed, little peace  -  12
February: Three bombs explode in the centre of Algiers, killing at
least two people and wounding 28. Security forces stop activists of
the Socialist Forces Front (FFS) from holding a "peace rally". 14-
15 February: 35 people are killed in attacks by Muslim rebels
during this period, as the military launch an offensive against the
rebels on the outskirts of Algeria. The murders took place at Sidi
Amer, Tamesna area, and Ain el Melh area. 17 February: National
newspapers say that government troops have killed 88 Muslim rebels
in an offensive against their bases in the past three days, in six
regions across the country. 17-18 February: During the night, 23
people are massacred at Sidi Djillali, near Tlemcen.   (ANB-BIA,
Brussels, 19 February 1998)

* Algerie. Massacres et repression  -  12 fevrier. Le jour meme du
depart de la delegation d'eurodeputes, trois explosions meurtrieres
a Alger ont fait au moins deux morts et trente blesses. La presse
privee annoncait egalement que 21 islamistes armes avaient ete tues
le 10 fevrier par les forces de securite et que 11 personnes
avaient ete massacrees dans une embuscade dans la region de Telagh.
Par ailleurs, a Alger, des 7 heures du matin un important service
d'ordre empechait la manifestation "pour la paix, contre la
violence et le terrorisme" appelee par le FFS, l'un des principaux
partis d'opposition. Le matraquage des manifestants a eu raison de
cette tentative. 14-15 fevrier. 32 personnes ont ete tuees le 14 et
dans la nuit du 14 au 15 fevrier, selon les forces de securite. 17
personnes ont ete egorgees et 7 autres blessees pres de Saida; 4
autres tuees pres de Berrouaghia; et 11 a Sidi Ameur pres de
M'Sila. Parmi les victimes de Saida figurent notamment des membres
d'un groupe d'autodefense arme et encadre par les services de
securite. 16 fevrier. Selon la presse, les forces de securite ont
tue 52 islamistes et encerclent le chef des GIA, Antar Zouabri. Une
unite de 150 hommes du GIA serait prise au piege dans la region de
Saida, dans le sud-ouest du pays. 18 fevrier. 23 personnes ont ete
assassinees dans la nuit du 17 au 18 fevrier a Sidi Djillali, pres
de Tlemcen, au moment ou les forces de securite sont engagees dans
une serie d'operations contre les maquis islamistes dans la region.
Le 17, la presse privee a annonce que 80 islamistes ont ete abattus
en trois jours.   (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 19 fevrier 1998)

* Burkina Faso. Coupe d'Afrique des nations  -  A la 21e Coupe
d'Afrique des nations (CAN), c'est le Burkina Faso qui a cree la
surprise en se placant pour les quarts de finale, en battant
l'Algerie (2-1) et, le 15 fevrier, la Guinee (1-0). L'Egypte a eu
deux succes devant le Mozambique (2-0) et la Zambie (4-0). Les
Marocains, apres un premier match sans relief face a la Zambie (1-
1), se sont repris devant le Mozambique (3-0). Le Cameroun s'est
impose devant le Burkina (1-0) et l'Algerie (2-1). L'Afrique du Sud
a decu, tenue en echec par l'Angola (0-0) et la Cote d'Ivoire (1-
1). Apres trois defaites, l'Algerie a deja quitte Ouagadougou.  
(Le Monde, France, 17 fevrier 1998)

* Burkina Faso. African peacekeeping force  -  President Blaise
Compaore, who takes over as chairman of the Organization of African
Unity in June, is eager to see a pan-African peacekeeping force
become a reality. The President promotes African solutions to
African problems, and puts peace and stability at the top of his
wish list for the world's poorest continent. He says this is
essential if Africa is to play a full part in the world economy of
the 21st century.   (InfoBeat, USA, 18 February 1998)

* Burundi. Nouvelle attaque  -  Plusieurs agences de presse ont
rapporte qu'au moins 24 personnes avaient ete tuees et 46 autres
blessees, lors d'une attaque le 10 fevrier par les rebelles a
Minago, dans la commune de Rumonge, a 50 km au sud de Bujumbura.
Selon le porte-parole de l'armee, le colonel Nibizi, les rebelles
ont d'abord attaque une position militaire, pour entrer ensuite
chez des particuliers. Les rebelles sont toujours dans la region.
Par ailleurs, dans la province de Cibitoke dans le nord-ouest, les
forces de securite essaient de deloger des rebelles caches le long
de la riviere Kaburantwa dans des trous creuses par des chercheurs
d'or.   (IRIN, Nairobi, 13 fevrier 1998)

* Burundi. Sommet sur les sanctions  -  Des sources diplomatiques
ont confirme, le 16 fevrier, les informations de la presse selon
lesquelles un sommet des chefs d'Etat regionaux aurait lieu dans la
capitale ougandaise Kampala, le 21 fevrier prochain, afin de
reexaminer la crise au Burundi et les sanctions imposees a ce pays
par ses voisins. Le president ougandais Museveni y presentera un
rapport. Par ailleurs, Kenya Airways prevoit de reprendre le 17
fevrier, de facon hebdomadaire, ses vols humanitaires et
diplomatiques sur Bujumbura, en depit de l'embargo.   (IRIN,
Nairobi, 16 fevrier 1998)

* Burundi. Death penalty/legal concerns  -  On 16 February, Amnesty
International published an appeal on behalf of seven men sentenced
to death on 12 February, after being found guilty of allegedly
participating in a series of mine explosions in Bujumbura, in early
1997. All seven have denied the charges. Amnesty International
believes that their trial was unfair and is concerned at the
limited appeals procedures open to defendants, and fears the
prisoners may be executed.   (Amnesty International, 16 February
1998)

* Cameroun. Explosion d'un train  -  Plus de 120 personnes sont
mortes brulees vives et 200 ont ete blessees le 14 fevrier suite a
l'explosion de deux wagons citernes dans la banlieue sud de
Yaounde, capitale du Cameroun. Le bilan risque de s'alourdir, car
plus d'une centaine de blesses etaient dans un etat critique. A
l'origine du drame, il y a le deraillement d'un convoi petrolier.
De nombreux habitants du quartier sont venus remplir leurs
jerricans avec l'essence qui s'echappait des deux wagons, quand
pour une raison inconnue (probablement un megot de cigarette) le
combustible s'est enflamme. Ce n'est qu'apres l'explosion que les
forces de securite sont intervenues pour boucler la zone.  
(Liberation, France, 16 fevrier 1998)

* Cameroon. Help for blast victims  -  On 15 February, France was
due to send 6 tonnes of burn medications to Cameroon as emergency
aid, after two tanker trains collided and exploded on 14 February,
killing 120 people. Four doctors and two nurses were due to fly
with the aid to Yaounde, where more than 150 people were critically
burned when flames spread through a crowd. The injured were
scooping up petrol spilling from the tanker trains. Witnesses said
the explosion was caused by a cigarette dropped by someone in the
crowd. (Editor's update: On 17 February, the government set up a
Commission to investigate the disaster).   (The Guardian, U.K., 16
February 1998)
* Centrafrique. Force des Nations unies  -  La France apportera sa
contribution a la prochaine force des Nations unies, qui doit se
deployer dans le pays au terme du mandat de la Mission
interafricaine de surveillance des accords de Bangui. La France
fournira "un petit contingent qui assurera une partie de la
logistique de cette force" a precise, le 16 fevrier, J.M. Simon,
l'ambassadeur de France a Bangui.   (Le Monde, France, 18 fevrier
1998)

* Comoros. Fighting erupts on Anjouan  -  On 11 February, fighting
erupted on the breakaway Comoros island of Anjouan, after rebels
attempted to arrest former Comoros prime Minister Mohammed Abdou
Madi, whom they suspected of plotting to end their succession.
Witnesses arriving on Grand Comore from Anjouan on 12 February,
said there had been many casualties, but Madi had so far evaded
capture.   (InfoBeat, USA, 12 February 1998)

* Comores. Affrontements a Anjouan  -  Des affrontements entre
partisans et adversaires de l'independance ont fait plusieurs
blesses, dans la nuit du 10 au 11 fevrier, sur l'ile secessionniste
d'Anjouan, selon des sources a Moroni. Ces affrontements ont oppose
les forces du leader secessionniste Abdallah Ibrahim et celles de
Mohammed Abdou Madi, rallie au pouvoir central de Moroni et rentre
a Anjouan apres trois mois d'absence. Ce dernier serait en fuite
dans le nord-ouest de l'ile.   (Le Monde, France, 16 fevrier 1998)

* Congo-Brazza. Nguesso in South Africa  -  Congo-Brazzaville's
President, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, is in South Africa in an apparent
effort to win support for his regime after last October's overthrow
of the elected government of Pascal Lissouba. While the visit was
not an official one, Mr.Sassou-Nguesso managed to meet with South
African President Nelson Mandela and Deputy-President Thabo Mbeki.
The courtesy visit came about after officials in Brazzaville
requested that Mr.Nguesso be permitted to transit through South
Africa on his way to a scheduled meeting in Harare, which was later
cancelled. The meeting with Mr. Mandela was painfully short, with
staff hurrying the press onto the grounds of Mr.Mandela's
residence, so a photo opportunity could be over and done with
quickly. The meeting with Mr.Mbeki however, went on longer than
scheduled. When the civil war ended in Brazzaville last year,
Mr.Mbeki expressed South Africa's strong disapproval of the
overthrow of democratically elected governments. But Mr.Sassou
Nguesso appears to have explained the situation to the South
Africans, in a way that now mitigated that disapproval. Mr.Nguesso
assured the South African leaders he met with, that full multi-
party democracy is in operation in Brazzaville and that elections
will be held in three year's time. He did say that he has one worry
-- namely, the number of Congolese exiles now in South Africa who
may still be purchasing weapons and recruiting South African
mercenaries.   (VOA, 11 February 1998)

* Congo (RDC). La mission d'enquete de l'Onu  -  La mission
d'enquete des Nations unies chargee de faire la lumiere sur les
massacres de refugies hutu rwandais dans l'ex-Zaire a repris ses
investigations le 12 fevrier a Mbandaka, au nord-ouest du pays,
selon son porte-parole Jose Diaz. La commission aurait du commencer
a enqueter en juillet 1997. Elle n'a jamais pu vraiment se mettre
au travail en raison des entraves mises par le gouvernement de
Kinshasa. Le 7 fevrier, l'adjoint au chef de la mission, le juge
zimbabween Andrew Chigovera, a presente sa demission. "Il est
impossible de croire qu'un environnement favorable a une enquete
independante et impartiale sur les droits de l'homme existe ou
puisse jamais exister dans ce pays", a-t-il affirme.   (Le Monde,
France, 14 fevrier 1998)

* Congo (RDC). Jackson and Tshisekedi  -  11 February: President
Clinton's envoy for humanitarian affairs, Jesse Jackson, says that
President Kabila has declined to meet him during his two-day visit
to Congo RDC. Jackson says that Foreign Minister Bizima Karaha was
unhappy about his earlier talks with a broad section of Congolese
society, including Kabila's opponents. Congolese television later
reports that the meeting did not take place because, in the opinion
of the government, Jackson did not conform to diplomatic norms. 12
February: Etienne Tshisekedi is detained in his house in Kinshasa
by heavily armed soldiers. The following day he is "banished" to
his home area in Kasai. An official says that "Mr Tshisekedi wa
Mulumba is charged with numerous infractions and, while inquiries
go ahead, the accused has been distanced with an administrative
measure, which will allow him to contribute to the reconstruction
effort in his village of origin". The official said that
Tshisekedi, leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress
(UDPS), has persistently broken a ban on party politics in the
country. 16 February: Rumours are spreading that Tshisekedi is not
in his home village, but still in prison in Kinshasa.   (ANB-BIA,,
Brussels, 17 February 1998)

* Congo (RDC). Tshisekedi arrete  -  Etienne Tshisekedi, le chef de
file de l'opposition radicale en RDC, a ete arrete le 12 fevrier
vers 22 heures a son domicile a Kinshasa par des militaires. Selon
une declaration du ministre de l'Interieur Kakudji a la television,
le 13 fevrier, il a ete transfere dans son village natal au Kasai.
Le parti de Tshisekedi, l'UDPS, dit craindre pour la vie de son
president. M. Tshisekedi est accuse de nombreuses infractions a
l'interdiction des activites politiques. Il avait rencontre, le 10
fevrier, l'envoye americain Jesse Jackson. Il devait tenir un
meeting, le 14 fevrier, a la permanence de son parti. - Dans une
lettre ouverte, datee du 16 fevrier, l'epouse de M. Tshisekedi
ecrit, apres verification, que son mari n'est pas dans son village
d'origine, comme l'affirment les autorites. Selon les dernieres
nouvelles, il semble cependant qu'il soit arrive le 16 dans sa
region, a Kabeya Kamuanga. Le president Kabila a annonce que
Tshisekedi pourra revenir a Kinshasa "a la fin de la periode
actuelle, lorsque les partis seront retablis en vue des elections
au suffrage universel".   (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 19 fevrier
1998)

* Congo (RDC). Fusillades a l'est  -  De violentes fusillades ont
oppose, le 17 fevrier, des militaires du Congo (RDC) a des hommes
armes en provenance du Burundi, dans la region d'Uvira au Sud-Kivu.
Le Nord et le Sud-Kivu, frontaliers de quatre pays (Ouganda,
Rwanda, Burundi et Tanzanie) sont une zone d'insecurite chronique
depuis plusieurs annees.   (Le Monde, France, 19 fevrier 1998)

* Egypte. Executions d'islamistes  -  Quatre islamistes de la
principale organisation integriste armee egyptienne, la Jamaa
Islamiya, ont ete executes le 17 fevrier par pendaison, a annonce
la police egyptienne. Condamnes a mort le 15 septembre 1997, ils
etaient accuses d'avoir commis des attentats en 1994 et 1995, dont
l'assassinat du general Raouf Khairat, chef de la lutte anti-
integriste. Ces executions portent a 65 le nombre d'islamistes
executes depuis 1992.   (Liberation, France, 18 fevrier 1998)

* Kenya. Malaria kills more than 1,500  -  On 12 February, OXFAM
reported that more than 1,500 people have been killed by a malaria
outbreak in Wajhir District, North Eastern province, in recent
weeks. More than 80% of those had been killed by clinical malaria.
Four months of abnormal rains linked to the El Nino weather
phenomenon have devastated Kenya's infrastructure and agricultural
production, and have brought a host of diseases.   (InfoBeat, USA,
12 February 1998)

* Kenya. Epidemie de paludisme  -  Durant les derniers quinze
jours, plusieurs centaines de personnes sont mortes de malaria dans
le nord-est du Kenya, ont annonce des organisations humanitaires a
Nairobi, le 12 fevrier. Les inondations dans la region seraient la
cause de cette epidemie. Le nombre exact des deces n'est pas connu,
mais selon un journal local les services sanitaires de la ville de
Wajir estiment le nombre a 1.500. Dans l'ouest du pays, sur les
hauts plateaux de la province de Nyanza, au moins 354 personnes
sont mortes du paludisme entre le 26 janvier et le 9 fevrier, selon
l'agence Reuters citant les administrateurs medicaux du district. 
 (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 13 fevrier 1998)

* Kenya. Hunt for killers of British tourist  -  On 16 February,
Kenyan officials launched a hunt for the killer of a British
tourist, who was stabbed and robbed while vacationing at a luxury
safari camp. Roy Chivers was knifed in the chest on 15 February, as
he was walking with his wife Sandra in a private game sanctuary,
attached to the Aberdare Country Club, 140 miles north of the
capital Nairobi. Tourism is a major money earner for Kenya, and
tourism Minister Henry Koskey took the unusual step of holding a
news conference to give his "personal assurance" that the culprits
would be caught. On 17 February, it was reported that the police
have arrested four people in connection with the murder.  
(InfoBeat, USA, 16-17 February 1998)

* Lesotho. Riots in Maseru  -  On 13 February, at least one person
was killed and 40 wounded after police opened fire on rioting
workers in an industrial area south of the capital, Maseru. The
textile workers were striking over wages and working conditions,
and the situation deteriorated when they locked managers inside the
building, the same morning.   (InfoBeat, USA, 13 February 1998)
* Liberia. Taylor slams Nigerian jet provocation  -  On 14
February, President Taylor accused the Nigerian-led ECOMOG
peacekeeping forces in his country, of provocation, after ECOMOG
jets repeatedly flew close over his office and official convoy.
Taylor said the fighter planes flew above his office and car on
nine occasions on 13 February, coming to within 500 feet, after he
had chaired an emergency cabinet meeting on ECOMOGūs capture of
Sierra Leone junta officials in Liberia. "I feel this was an act of
provocation", Taylor said.   (InfoBeat, USA, 16 February 1998)

* Libya. Trade threat to Australia  -  Libya has put a surprisingly
strong Australian live cattle export trade on the chopping block,
in retaliation for Australia's decision to send troops to any US-
led attack against Iraq. Until last year, Australian trade with
Libya was so small, that an overnight threat by Libya to cancel all
trade deals with Australia, would have had little impact. But
Australian exports of live cattle to Libya surged in 1997, to
97,525 head, worth $34 million, from just 7,700 head a year
earlier.   (InfoBeat, USA, 12 February 1998)

* Madagascar. Empechement rejete  -  L'Assemblee nationale a
rejete, le 4 fevrier, la motion d'empechement deposee par un groupe
de 48 deputes de l'opposition contre le president Didier Ratsiraka.
Pour etre adoptee, une telle motion requiert, selon la
Constitution, les deux tiers des voix, soit 91 sur les 137 membres
que compte la Chambre basse malgache. La motion n'a obtenu que 60
voix. M. Ratsiraka reste donc a son poste.   (d'apres Marches
Tropicaux, France, 13 fevrier 1998)

* Mozambique. Local elections  -  "Social organisations" and
"personalities of recognised competence, experience and prestige",
who are "national and non-party", can be independent observers of
the 29 May local elections. All observers nominated by social
organisations must have Mozambican nationality. The National
Election Committee approved the observation regulations on 20
January and announced them on 5 February. The regulation states
that "electoral observation is an important activity to reinforce
the objectivity and credibility of the electoral process".  
(PeaceLink, Italy, 10 February 1998)

* Nigeria. Review of recent events  -  4 February: Leaders of the
five political parties met in Abuja and took a unanimous decision
to nominate General Sani Abacha as their sole Presidential
candidate in the forthcoming elections. The five political parties
are: the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), the Democratic Party
of Nigeria (DPN), the Congress for National Consensus (CNC), the
Grassroots Democratic Party (GDM), and the National Centre Party of
Nigeria (NCPN). These were registered by the government about three
years ago as part of the military government's plan to return
Nigeria to democracy in October 1998. This decision has put paid to
speculation, that General Abacha is not ready to hand over power to
anybody come October 1998.   (Taye Babaleye, Nigeria, 11 February
1998)

* Nigeria. Tribunal opens for coup plot accused  -  Twenty-six
Nigerians accused of plotting a coup went before a military
tribunal on 14 February. These included General Abacha's former
deputy, who said in the dock that he had been framed. The 16 armed
officers and 10 civilians were accused of plotting to topple the
government. No specific charges were read out at this open session,
which was adjourned until 16 February. Proceedings will then take
place behind closed doors. The alleged coup plot, which the
military government says was planned for 21 December, has generated
controversy in Nigeria. On 18 February, the army said that more
people were being questioned over the alleged coup plot.  
(InfoBeat, USA, 18 February 1998)

* Nigeria. Journaliste emprisonnee laureate  -  Christina Anyanwu,
une journaliste nigeriane emprisonnee depuis bientot trois ans, a
ete designee le 16 fevrier laureate du Prix mondial de la liberte
de la presse Unesco/Guillermo Cano. Mme Anyanwu est la directrice
et redactrice en chef du Sunday Magazine, publie a Lagos. Elle a
ete arretee et incarceree le 1er mars 1995, apres la publication
d'un article sur une tentative de coup d'Etat contre la junte
nigeriane.   (Le Monde, France, 19 fevrier 1998)

* Rwanda. Paul Kagame elected party chairman  -  On 15 February,
Vice-President Paul Kagame was elected chairman of the Rwandan
Patriotic Front, after the party's first congress since its forces
took power in 1994. Maj.Gen. Paul Kagame, Rwanda's highest-ranked
soldier and also Defense Minister, is believed by most analysts to
be the real power in the Rwandan government. Kagame, a Tutsi, who
served also in the rebel army of Ugandan President Museveni, led
the Rwandan Patriotic Front to victory in 1994, when they overthrew
the majority Hutu government, involved in the genocide of minority
Tutsis.   (InfoBeat, USA, 16 February 1998)

* Rwanda. Concentration du pouvoir  -  Le Front patriotique
rwandais, au pouvoir, a reuni son bureau politique durant le week-
end du 14-15 fevrier, pour elire une nouvelle direction. Le general
Kagame en devient president, P. Bizimungu (chef de l'Etat) vice-
president, et C. Muligande (recteur de l'universite) secretaire
general. Kagame, deja vice-president de la Republique et ministre
de la Defense, est maintenant en outre a la tete du parti, de facto
unique, puisque les autres formations politiques sont interdites de
fonctionnement.   (La Libre Belgique, 17 fevrier 1998)

* Rwanda. Hausse des prix agricoles  -  Tous les prix des produits
agricoles de base au Rwanda sont en forte hausse sur la premiere
quinzaine du mois de fevrier, selon une etude du ministere rwandais
de l'Agriculture, recue par l'AFP le 18 fevrier a Kigali. Les
produits qui constituent la base de l'alimentation de la population
rwandaise, comme la pomme de terre, l'oignon, la patate douce et le
mais, ont plus que double. Les produits maraichers sont egalement
concernes par cette hausse des prix. Cette augmentation serait due
a un fort ralentissement de l'agriculture rwandaise en general,
mais plus particulierement a l'instabilite qui regne dans le nord
et le nord-ouest du pays, generalement considere comme le grenier
du pays.   (D'apres AFP, France, 18 fevrier 1998)

* Senegal. Creation d'un Senat  -  Dix jours apres l'adoption d'une
loi portant de 120 a 140 le nombre des sieges a l'Assemblee
nationale, les deputes ont vote, le 13 fevrier, la creation d'une
seconde chambre. Le Senat senegalais comprendra 60 membres, dont 45
elus au suffrage universel indirect et representant les
collectivites locales, 12 nommes par le president, et 3 elus par
les Senegalais de l'exterieur. La nouvelle legislation a ete votee
par les 81 deputes du Parti socialiste au pouvoir, a une majorte
qualifiee; tous les autres partis ont boycotte la seance. M. Faye,
chef du groupe parlementaire PDS, a declare que ce Senat etait cree
pour garantir des postes aux membres du parti au pouvoir, en cas de
defaite aux legislatives.   (L'Autre Afrique, France, 18 fevrier
1998)

* Senegal. "Climate of Terror in Casamance"  -  In a News Release
issued on 17 February, Amnesty International explains the
background to its report: "Senegal: Climate of Terror in
Casamance". The organisation describes how, for the past 15 years,
civilians in Casamance have been powerless victims in the conflict
and negotiations with the Senegalese Government and the Democratic
Forces of Casamance Movement (MFDC), an armed opposition group
which is demanding the independence of this region in southern
Senegal. "Massive violations of human rights cannot be explained
away as "regrettable errors", since the Senegalese army is
universally seen as being well-structured and disciplined", Amnesty
International says.   (Amnesty International, 17 February 1998)

* Senegal. A.I.: "Terreur en Casamance"  -  Dans un rapport sur la
Casamance, diffuse en francais a Paris le 17 fevrier, Amnesty
International constate un tres grand nombre de violations des
droits de l'homme. Dans le conflit qui oppose, depuis quinze ans,
l'Etat senegalais au Mouvement des forces democratiques de
Casamance (MFDC), les deux parties ont fait le choix delibere de
terroriser les populations civiles, affirme le document. "Les
violations des droits de l'homme en Casamance sont essentiellement
le fait de l'armee et de la gendarmerie, qui agissent depuis des
annees en toute impunite", ecrit A.I., qui a egalement recueilli de
nombreux temoignages sur "les homicides deliberes et arbitraires
commis par le MFDC". Des deux cotes, le rapport est accablant. Par
ailleurs, le 17 fevrier, neuf pecheurs ont ete tues aux iles
Saloulou, a 40 km de Ziguinchor, selon les autorites senegalaises,
qui attribuent ce massacre au MFDC.   (ANB-BIA, de sources
diverses, 19 fevrier 1998)

* Sierra Leone. Battling for control  -  12 February: Nigerian-led
peacekeepers tighten the noose around Sierra Leone's army junta. A
radio reporter on the spot says that fighting has hit the city
centre. In the evening, the ECOMOG forces claim to have captured
State House and the junta leaders are thought to be at a beach
hotel outside the city. 13 February: Fighting continues in
Freetown, with the junta claiming to still be in charge of the
country. The ECOMOG forces mop up the last pockets of junta
resistance in Freetown. Two military helicopters are forced to land
in Monrovia, Liberia. 25 Sierra Leoneans are arrested by ECOMOG.
After reviewing the latest development in Sierra Leone, the UN
Security Council stresses the need for national reconciliation and
comprehensive demobilisation of all combatants, as provided for in
the country's peace plan. 14 February: President Taylor of Liberia,
demands that ECOMOG hand over to Liberia, the two military
helicopters, plus their passengers. The OAU makes an urgent appeal
for international humanitarian assistance for the people of Sierra
Leone. 16 February: Battles continue outside the capital. The
authorities in Koidu, the country's biggest diamond town, call on
the ECOMOG forces to prevent a bloodbath, as troops loyal to the
junta fight with residents. 17 February: The Xaverian Missionaries,
working in Sierra Leone, launch an appeal on behalf of the people
of Sierra Leone. The Xaverians state there is a lack of medicines,
food and means of transport. The population needs to be helped as
soon as possible. It is reported that gunmen are holding five
European missionaries in northeastern Sierra Leone, where junta
forces fleeing peacekeeping troops are reported to be on the
rampage. The Junta regains control of Bo. President Kabbah's
government-in-exile (in Guinea) establishes a "Supervisory
Committee" to act in the government's name, until it returns to
Sierra Leone. 18 February: Francis Okello, UN special envoy to
Sierra Leone, arrives in Freetown to assess relied needs. He says:
"President Kabbah could be back within two weeks".   (ANB-BIA,
Brussels, 19 February 1998)

* Sierra Leone. La junte en fuite  -  12 fevrier. Le general
nigerian Timothy Shelpidi declare que les dirigeants de la junte
sierra-leonaise sont en fuite, et Freetown, la capitale, est passee
sous le controle de l'Ecomog, la force militaire ouest-africaine.
Dans la nuit du 11 au 12, le contingent nigerian de l'Ecomog a
lance son offensive finale. Dans la journee, un deluge de bombes a
continue a s'abattre sur la ville, terrorisant les populations
coupees de tout ravitaillement depuis plusieurs mois. Le soir, le
quartier general de la junte a ete pris. Desavoue par l'ONU qui
avait lance le 11 fevrier un appel pour l'arret immediat des
combats, le Nigeria a fait cavalier seul dans cette action, tentant
de deloger la junte dont il avait jure la perte. 13 fevrier. Les
troupes nigerianes ont reduit les dernieres poches de resistance a
Freetown et le centre de la ville etait relativement calme. Le
porte-parole de la junte, cite par la BBC, a clairement fait
entendre que ses forces entendaient poursuivre le combat dans le
reste du territoire. 14-15 fevrier. Freetown est totalement sous
controle nigerian. Plus de 100 personnes auraient ete tuees et 1000
blessees lors des combats. Le president Kabbah, renverse en mai,
s'est adresse a la population a la radio, annoncant le retour de
son gouvernement. Ses adherents, les Kamajors, se sont empares des
villes de Bo et Kenema dans la region diamantifere de Sierra Leone.
Le 14 fevrier, quatre religieux europeens, dont trois medecins, et
deux religieux africains des Freres de St.Jean-de-Dieu ont ete
enleves dans l'hopital de Lunsar, a 80 km de Freetown, probablement
par des partisans de la junte renversee. Le meme jour, deux
collaborateurs de Medecins sans frontieres-France ont disparu,
probablement enleves par les rebelles du Front revolutionnaire uni.
17 fevrier. Apres de nombreuses scenes de pillage, les forces
armees nigerianes semblent avoir reussi a retablir un certain ordre
dans la ville de Freetown, ou aucun pouvoir n'est encore
officiellement en place. Selon des sources humanitaires, la ville
de Bo aurait ete reprise par les forces de la junte. Celles-ci
auraient, selon certaines informations, ete appuyees par des
elements du Front national patriotique du Liberia, la milice de
Charles Taylor, aujourd'hui president du Liberia. Dans le nord du
pays, on signale une forte activite des partisans de la junte a
Makeni, ou ils s'etaient livres a des pillages. En revanche, les
Kamajors garderaient la ville de Kenema et se seraient empares de
Koidu, la capitale de la zone diamantifere dans l'est du pays.  
(ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 19 fevrier 1998)

* Somalie. Conference de Baidoa annulee  -  Les espoirs de paix et
de reconciliation nationale en Somalie sont a nouveau en panne
apres l'annonce, le 9 fevrier a Addis-Abeba, par 26 clans de leur
non-participation a la conference de Baidoa prevue le 15 fevrier.
Awad Ashara, le porte-parole de ces 26 factions du Conseil de salut
national, a annonce que la tenue de cette conference, qui devait
mettre en place un gouvernement de transition, est devenue
impossible. L'echec est du au chef de guerre Hussein Aidid qui n'a
pas respecte les accords intervenus au Caire en decembre, a indique
Ashara. Aidid s'etait engage a retirer ses hommes de Baidoa au plus
tard le 5 fevrier a minuit. La conference de Baidoa etait au moins
la treizieme tentative de former un gouvernement d'union nationale
depuis la chute de Siad Barre en 1991.   (Marches Tropicaux,
France, 13 fevrier 1998)

* South Africa. Truth & Reconciliation Commission  -  10 February:
A senior TRC member says that South Africa will set up a permanent
body to carry on the work of the current statutory TRC. The
Commission began work in 1995 to try to uncover the truth about
apartheid-era abuses, reconcile the country's divided races, grant
amnesty to those who confessed political crimes in full, and pay
compensation to victims. An Act of Parliament gives it limited
legal powers. The TRC is due to present its report to President
Mandela by the end of July. The lifespan of its Amnesty Committee
has been extended until June but has said it is inundated with work
and may not be finished by them. 18 February: Archbishop Tutu says
that unless white people apologize for the wrongs of apartheid, the
burden of guilt will be passed on to the next generation. 18-20
February: A workshop to formulate possible projects aimed at
promoting the healing of survivors of apartheid, will be hosted by
the Reparations and Rehabilitation Committee of the TRC. The
consultative workshop will be led by Dr Yael Danieli, director of
the Group Project for Holocaust Survivors and their children, in
New York. her visit has been paid for by the US State Department. 
 (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 18 February 1998)

* South Africa. Alan Boesak on trial  -  On 16 February, Allan
Boesak, once a feted South African anti-apartheid cleric, had his
trial on charges of siphoning off foreign donor funds, postponed,
because he was too poor to defend himself. He blamed the delay on
legal aid officials, and said it would draw out the agony that
started with allegations by a Danish aid agency, before the new
South Africa was born in 1994. Boesak rejects the 32 charges of
theft and fraud of over a million rand (US$ 202,000) of foreign aid
that his Foundation for Peace and Justice charity was to give to
the poor.   (InfoBeat, USA, 16 February 1998)

* Somalia. Inter-clan battle  -  On 15 February, four people were
killed and five wounded, when rival militiamen from one of
Somalia's main clans, fought a pitched battle south of the capital.
Witnesses said the fighting started after a member of the Suleiman
sub-clan was killed in an attack blamed by militiamen on members of
the Eyr sub-clan. Both the Suleiman and Eyr -- ostensibly
controlled by Somali warlord Hussein Aideed -- are offshoots of the
main Habar Gidir clan, which is split between Aideed and his rival
Osman Ali Otto.   (InfoBeat, USA, 16 February 1998)

* Soudan. Tragedie humaine au Bahr el-Ghazal  -  Selon une source
humanitaire du 12 fevrier, la situation au Bahr el-Ghazal se
deteriore de plus en plus. Elle represente "un danger de mort pour
les plus faibles, les plus vieux et les plus jeunes". Selon les
estimations a ce jour, 106.000 personnes ont fui les recents
affrontements. Deja avant la recrudescence des combats, les
organisations humanitaires disaient que 240.000 personnes, sur une
population totale estimee a 1,5 million, etaient "vulnerables".
Dans un communique publie le 10 fevrier a Nairobi, l'organisation
humanitaire internationale World Vision a mis en garde, contre la
"tragedie humaine" qui couve au sud Soudan en raison de la decision
des autorites de Khartoum d'interdire les vols humanitaires sur
cette region.   (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 13 fevrier 1998)

* Soudan. Mort de leaders soudanais  -  Le premier vice-president
soudanais et plusieurs autres personnalites politiques et
militaires ont ete tues, le 12 fevrier, lorsque leur avion s'est
abattu dans le sud du pays, a annonce le gouvernement de Khartoum.
Il s'agirait d'un accident au moment de l'atterrissage de
l'appareil a l'aeroport d'al-Nasir. Un porte-parole de l'Armee
populaire de liberation du Soudan (SPLA) a d'abord affirme que la
rebellion avait abattu l'avion en plein vol, mais le 13 fevrier,
l'organisation a dementi cette nouvelle. Parmi les morts figurent
le general Saleh, vice-president et un des hommes du regime, charge
du dossier du Sud, qui avait mene les negociations ayant abouti en
avril 1997 au ralliement de six groupes de la rebellion sudiste.
Est egalement decede dans l'accident Arok Ton Arok, chef de la
guerilla de Bor, qui avait fait alliance avec le pouvoir.   (ANB-
BIA, de sources diverses, 15 fevrier 1998)

* Sudan. Vice-President killed  -  12 February: Vice-President
General Al-Zubeir Mohammed Saleh, and several other senior figures
die in an air crash while touring the front lines. The crash
happened at Nasir, in Upper Nile state. An SPLA spokesman claims
that the SPLA shot the plane down but there is no confirmation of
this claim. The official Sudanese news agency says one of the dead
is Arok Thon Arok, a former Independent Group rebel leader and key
signatory of the peace agreement. A government press release says
that 23 people died in the crash. 13 February: John Luk, spokesman
in Nairobi for the SPLA, says that the SPLA disclaims any
responsibility for the crash of the plane. He says: "We do not have
any forces in the area Nasir area where the crash occurred". 17
February: Foreign Minister Osman Mohamed Taha, is appointed Sudan's
first vice-president.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 18 February 1998)

* Tanzanie. Le cout d'El Ni¤o  -  La Tanzanie aura besoin de 117,3
millions de dollars pour reparer les degats causes a son
infrastructure par les trois mois de pluies torrentielles, mises
sur le compte du phenomene El Ni¤o, a declare le 11 fevrier le
president Mpaka au Parlement. La facture comprend 17,2 millions
pour la reparation des routes principales; 64,5 millions pour les
maisons; et 18,3 millions pour les reparations sur les lignes des
chemins de fer, qui prendront au moins six mois. A cause des routes
endommagees, les camions en route de Dar es-Salaam vers le nord-
ouest de la Tanzanie, le Rwanda et le Burundi, doivent faire le
detour par le Kenya, mais sont bloques a la frontiere, le Kenya
exigeant des titres de douane.   (IRIN, Nairobi, 12 fevrier 1998)

* Tanzania. 2 dead, 135 arrested in Moslem riot  -  Two people have
been killed in two days of rioting by Moslem militants in the
Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam, local media said on 14
February. 56 vehicles were damaged and police arrested 135 people
in connection with the unrest which erupted on 12 February. The
African newspaper quoted the Dar es Salaam regional police
commissioner as saying two rioters were shot dead by police on 13
February. Another newspaper confirmed the deaths which occurred
after "a clash between police and law-breakers" near Mwembechai
mosque in the city. The Dar es Salaam regional commissioner, said
that most of those arrested were members of an Islamic group known
as the Khidmat Daawat Islamia.   (InfoBeat, USA, 16 February 1998)

* Tanzanie. Emeute islamiste reprimee  -  La police tanzanienne a
violemment reprime une emeute d'activistes islamistes a Dar es-
Salaam, le 16 fevrier. Deux membres de l'organisation islamique
Khidmat Daawat Islamia ont ete tues, et 135 personnes arretees et
deferees le lendemain devant la justice. Le gouvernement accuse
l'organisation de precher des discours de haine dans les mosquees
et de creer des tensions religieuses.   (L'Autre Afrique, France,
18 fevrier 1998)

* Ouganda. Enfants enleves  -  L'Unicef Ouganda a annonce le 12
fevrier que, dans le seul district de Kitgum, 1.290 enfants enleves
ces deux dernieres annees par les rebelles de la Lord's Resistance
Army sont toujours portes disparus. 1.310 autres auraient reussi a
rentrer chez eux. L'Unicef poursuit son enquete dans six autres
districts de la region. Precedemment, le nombre total d'enfants
enleves avait ete estime entre 5 et 8.000, mais les chiffres de
Kitgum pourraient indiquer un nombre bien superieur. Pres de 80% de
ces enfants sont ages de 12 a 18 ans, mais 11% d'entre eux n'ont
que de 4 a 7 ans. La LRA utilise ces enfants comme esclaves, comme
combattants ou comme "femmes" pour leurs soldats. Les "Allied
Democratic Forces", actifs dans le sud-ouest de l'Ouganda, enlevent
eux aussi des enfants, a ajoute l'Unicef.   (IRIN, Nairobi, 12
fevrier 1998)

* Zambia. Chongwe in Australia  -  A prominent Zambian opposition
leader, now in self-exile in Australia says he remains in fear for
his life even though he is thousands of kilometres from Zambia.
Rodger Chongwe now lives in Perth, Western Australia. The
opposition leader was en route back to Zambia from Britain last
October, when authorities in Lusaka claimed they had thwarted a
coup attempt. During a stopover in Zimbabwe, Mr.Chongwe says he was
advised that a Zambian government aircraft had landed and that the
pilot had told airport officials he had been sent by President
Chiluba to collect him. Mr.Chongwe says he was asked whether he
wished to board the Zambian aircraft or continue on to Lusaka
aboard the plane on which he was originally travelling. He decided
to take neither. He has been living with relatives in Western
Australia since then. He said he has not applied for political
asylum in hopes that he will one day be able to return to Lusaka,
even though friends and colleagues warn him against returning.
Mr.Chongwe like other Zambian opposition leaders, claims the state
of emergency imposed by President Chiluba following the alleged
coup attempt is what he terms "a facade" for a crackdown against
government critics.   (VOA, 11 February 1998)

* Zambie. Offensive televangeliste  -  Apres le Nigeria, les
chaines de television evangelistes americaines poursuivent leur
offensive en Afrique australe. La "Trinity Broadcasting Network"
est sur le point de faire construire une station de television a
Lusaka, la capitale zambienne. Lorsque les travaux seront termines,
les programmes seront diffuses de midi a 22 heures, et plus tard
jusqu'a minuit. La diffusion se limitera d'abord a la capitale,
avant de s'etendre a quelques grandes villes du pays.   (L'Autre
Afrique, France, 18 fevrier 1998)

* Zambia. Kaunda to be charged  -  17 February: The government says
it will charge former president Kenneth Kaunda with concealing his
part in a failed coup in October. The state prosecutor says the
charge -- misprision of treason -- will be formally put to the 73-
year-old Mr Kaunda on 18 February. 18 February: Mr Kaunda appears
in court to be charged. He is charged, together with his security
chief, Moyse Kaulungombe. Neither is asked to plead and the hearing
is adjourned until 27 February. The pair are among 92 people
detained after the attempt by junior army officers to overthrow
President Chiluba's government. If convicted, they could face life
in prison.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 19 February 1998)

* Zambie. Kaunda inculpe  -  L'ancien president Kenneth Kaunda
devait etre inculpe, le 18 fevrier, de "non-revelation" de haute
trahison pour son attitude lors de la tentative de coup d'Etat
militaire d'octobre 1997. M. Kaunda, age de 73 ans, se trouvait a
l'etranger au moment des evenements. Il est detenu depuis plusieurs
semaines en vertu de la loi sur l'etat d'urgence. Il risque la
prison a vie en cas de condamnation.   (Le Monde, France, 19
fevrier 1998)

* Zimbabwe. Attacked by gasoline bomb  -  On 16 February,
Zimbabwe's only independent Member of Parliament said she was
attacked by a gasoline bomb at the weekend, but was not injured.
Margaret Dongo said she suspected the bomb, thrown on 14 February
in Chitungwiza, a town bordering Harare, was aimed at her, by
supporters of President Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party, which
controls 147 of the 150 seats in Zimbabwe's parliament. Dongo said
she was attacked after going to Chitungwiza to help an independent
candidate, campaign for a parliamentary seat in the town that had
become vacant, after a ZANU-PF Member of Parliament became the
town's executive mayor.   (InfoBeat, USA, 16 February 1998)