wfn.org | All Africa News Agency April 21, 2003 (a)

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ALL AFRICA NEWS AGENCY

P. O Box, 66878, 00800 Westlands, NAIROBI, Kenya.  Tel: 254-2-4442215,
4440224
Fax: 254-2-4445847, 4443241; Email: aanaapta@insightkenya.com , 
aanaapta@hotmail.com

AANA BULLETIN No. 15/03 April 21, 2003 (a)

NEWS  SECTION

Gulf Crisis May Impact Negatively On DRC Transition

NAIROBI (AANA) April 21 - The eagerly awaited transition in the Democratic 
Republic of Congo (DRC), may not, after all, come soon, due to shift in 
attention of the international community to the Iraq crisis.

Leader of a DRC rebel movement, Rally for Congolese Democracy (RCD)-Goma, 
Prof. Ernest Wamba dia Wamba, said the international community had put 
aside funds to facilitate a political transition in DRC, but focus was now 
on rebuilding Iraq.

"The international community may not offer sufficient funds to the 
transition process, and this may have great impact in the realisation of 
the transition," he observed.

Prof. Wamba, who was speaking in Nairobi at a public lecture on April 15, 
about transition politics and the resolution of DRC conflict, was referring 
to a transition formula agreed upon in a final peace agreement that 
concluded the Inter-Congolese Dialogue (ICD), on April 2, in Sun City, 
South Africa.

The ICD parties included the government, rebel movements MLC (Movement for 
the Liberation of Congo), RCD-Goma, RCD-Mouvement Liberation (Liberation 
Movement), RCD-National, Mai-Mai, and non-armed political opposition, as 
well as the civil society.

The accord made provision for a transitional government led by incumbent 
President Joseph Kabila, and assisted by four vice-presidents from the 
rebel movements, non-armed political opposition and the civil society.

Prof. Wamba noted that the two-year transition period was expected to 
culminate into free and fair elections, and observed that the issue of 
power sharing was considered the basis for achieving a lasting peace.

According to him, peace was a necessary condition to achieve national 
reconstruction, to end acts of war, re-unify the country, enhance national 
reconciliation and facilitate free and fair elections.

The accord was an outcome of a long and protracted process of peace 
negotiations that started in 1998.  The first major step in the process was 
a cease-fire agreement signed in Lusaka, Zambia on July 10, 1999.

The agreement was signed by six countries involved in the conflict, namely, 
Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, as well as the two main 
rebel groups, RCD and MLC.

Congo, the second largest country in Africa, has been experiencing civil 
wars since independence in 1960. Analysts have described the situation as a 
never-ending crisis. Close to three million people have died in the past 
five years due to the war.

The lecture was organised by three pro-peace organisations based in 
Nairobi. They are Africa Peace Forum (AFPO), Nairobi Peace Initiative 
-Africa (NPI-A) and Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the 
Great Lakes and Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA).

Reported by Joyce Mulama

Botswana Authorities Put Systems On Alert Over Virus

GABORONE (AANA) April 21 - Botswana's health ministry is on the alert 
following reports from neighbouring South Africa, of a suspected case of 
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

South African newspapers reported less than two weeks ago, that a 
businessman, who had returned from Hong Kong last month, had been 
hospitalised after he developed symptoms similar to that of the deadly SARS.

Joy Phumaphi, Botswana's health minister, confirmed last week that her 
ministry was on alert. She said following the news from South Africa, her 
ministry had started issuing out spot notices on radio and television, 
about the virus.

The minister confirmed that all health workers had been alerted on what to 
look out for in a patient suspected of having acquired SARS virus. "We have 
guidelines on how our health workers should treat those suspected, and what 
questions to ask," she said.

Phumaphi revealed that her ministry was also making frantic efforts to 
monitor history of the people who entered the country.

She said a questionnaire had been sent to all immigration checkpoints for 
all visitors to disclose where they have been recently.  The ministry is 
also calling on people to postpone trips to the Far East, until the 
outbreak is brought under control.

"If the outbreak comes to Botswana we will know what to do because we have 
been observing mistakes made by other countries," said Phumaphi, declaring 
confidence that the outbreak would be brought under control.

SARS is causing panic in the developed world, where, despite advanced 
medical facilities, its death toll continues to rise.

Medical experts are undertaking fervent research on the viral infection, 
which was first reported in China last month, and has so far claimed over 
100 people in 32 countries. Experts say airline travellers spread it.

A number of countries have responded by cancelling flights to China and 
Hong-Kong, suspected to be the origin of the killer syndrome.

Reported by Rodrick Mukumbira

Trade In Human Body Parts Raise International Alarm

BLANTYRE (AANA) April 21 - The rising cases of people found dead with parts 
of their bodies missing have for the first time prompted international 
reaction, following brutal murder of an elderly woman in the southern 
region district of Thyolo, about 50 kilometres from the commercial city of 
Blantyre.

Ethel Chakoma (78), was recently found almost dead in her back-yard garden, 
with both her eyes gorged out. She was taken to Queen Elizaneth Central 
Hospital in Blantyre, where she later died.

"My grandmother was attacked by unknown assailants as she was alone in the 
thick maize garden. She could not even shout because of her frail age," 
recounted Jesse Naveya, grand-daughter to the deceased.

The global rights non-governmental organisation (NGO) for the elderly, Help 
Age, is to send experts to Malawi to investigate the death of Chakoma, and 
also do a survey about welfare of the aged in Malawi, one of Africa's 
poorest countries.

Elderly Peoples Association (EPA), a local NGO, says that care and dignity 
of the aged is diminishing in Malawi, as more of them become marginalised, 
destitute and lonely due to urbanisation and cultural changes. Malawi has 
over 400,000 elderly people aged between 60 and above.

For the past two years, horrible incidents have been reported concerning 
their mistreatment.  A number of aged women have been discovered dead with 
their private parts, breasts and hairs removed. Others have had fingers, 
and teeth missing.

It is alleged that human body parts are highly priced, both in the local 
and international black market.  Syndicates dealing in human parts are 
assigned to murder innocent and unarmed people, especially women and
children.

Prior to this, cases of unknown people unearthing children's graveyards for 
body parts were recorded.  Not long ago, there were alleged cases of night 
attackers sucking people's blood, but police dismissed these as rumours.

Human parts are said to be used for making charms for businessmen to 
increase their profits, as recently indicated by confessions of culprits to 
police.

Police public relations officer, George Chikowi, said a number of people 
have been arrested in connection with murders aimed at obtaining body parts.

"Two people in the northern region district of Rumphi, confessed in police 
custody of murdering a young girl, cutting off her hands and feet for use 
in traditional medicine, to enhance their fish catches in Lake Kazuni," 
revealed Chikowi.

Reported by Hobbs Gama

Journalists Body Press For Search Of Missing Stringers

MONROVIA (AANA) April 21 - The war in Liberia has taken its toll of 
journalists.  Already, four have been reported missing as a result of the 
on-going conflict between government forces and rebel Liberians United for 
Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD).

They are Grody Dorbor, director of The Inquirer newspaper, and three 
correspondents for Radio Talking Drum Studio-Liberia, Oscar Dolo, Nyam 
Flomo and William Quiwea.

News about their disappearance was made public in early April.

A journalist organisation, Reporters Without Borders, has expressed concern 
over their disappearance, and have called on government authorities to 
intensify efforts on tracing their whereabouts.

"As a result of people having been destabilised by multiple attacks mounted 
by the rebels, the authorities should put effective measures to ensure 
security of representatives of the press, a vital information component for 
Liberian people," declared Robert Menard, General Secretary of the 
organisation.

As at going to press, the affected media organisations had not received 
information on the missing stringers.

  Reported by Claire Mbombo

Religious Groups Gather To Meditate Over Iraq War

GABORONE (AANA) April 21 - Various religious groups gathered here (April 
12) at the National Assembly building, to pray for peace in Iraq, and for 
those affected by the on-going conflict.

The gathering, which lasted over five hours, attracted thousands of people 
from several religious groupings that included Hindu, Muslims, Sikhs, 
Christians and Bahai.

Rev. Rupert Hambira, President of the Botswana Christian Council (BCC), 
said, although the war was far away in Iraq, the country was feeling its 
effects, since its economy relied heavily on diamond exports to the United 
States and on tourism.

Nava Sabet, a nine-year-old from the Bahai faith, touched the hearts of 
many when she reiterated that no one, except God, would forgive people. She 
prayed God to "put out the fire raging in the world".

Affreig Subramanian, a representative of Botswana's Hindu community, 
described the war in Iraq as a crisis that required people to hold on to
faith.

Sheik Hassam from Botswana's Muslim society reminded the gathering that the 
effects of war did not choose between Muslim or Christian. "It affects us 
all regardless of our religious convictions," he said.

In a joint statement produced after the meeting, the religious communities 
pressed for peace that was "completely divine".

"We need peace that will bring a soothing balm to victims of violence and 
hatred, comfort those who mourn for their loved ones who have died, whether 
as innocent victims or as members of the warring factions," said the
statement.

The religious leaders noted that the war in Iraq was a clear sign that the 
world's leadership had failed. "We must call attention to the world that 
God is sovereign," they said.

The US-led war on Iraq began on March 20 in an effort to force the 
country's leadership to destroy alleged weapons of mass destruction.

The Fellowship of Christian Councils of Southern Africa (FOCCISA), has also 
strongly condemned the war, saying it violated the United Nations (UN) 
charter on human rights and ignored calls by other UN members to use force 
only as a last resort.

In a strong-worded statement, FOCCISA says: "It is sad to note that US 
President George Bush and his main ally, British Prime Minister, Tony 
Blair, acted unilaterally in preparing for war against calls from 
peace-loving individuals and communities around the world."

The statement continues: "No president of one country should take it upon 
himself, bypassing appropriate UN organs set up for that purpose, to 
overthrow a president of another country, whether democratically elected or 
not, without the consent of the people of that country."

Reported by Rodrick Mukumbira

Youth Parliamentarians Want Participation In NEPAD

NAIROBI (AANA) April 21 -  A group of young Africans from over 50 countries 
have asked to be involved in activities of the New Partnerships for 
Africa's Development (NEPAD), in order to take care of issues affecting 
youth in the continent.

They also want NEPAD authorities to consider working hand-in-hand with 
Africa Union (AU), saying the initiative (NEPAD) may find it difficult to 
achieve its aspirations without such collaboration.

The youth, who met here (March 23-29) under Africa Youth Parliament (AYP), 
resolved to play significant role in ending social and armed conflict, as 
well as combating HIV/AIDS and poverty.

A communiqui released April 9 by AYP secretariat here, said the youth were 
also keen on tackling the issue of cultural identity, and would advocate 
for preservation of African cultures, as a launch pad for addressing 
various concerns affecting the continent.

AYP was conceived in 2000, after some African youth attended  an 
International Youth Parliament (IYP) sitting  in Sydney, Australia.

It is composed of representatives from 59 African countries, who have come 
together to work for the common good of African youth, through advocacy.

The Nairobi Assembly last month was the first sitting of the youth 
parliamentarians, and was organised to develop an action plan for 
co-ordinated youth efforts towards rebuilding the continent.

IYP representatives, including their chairman Chris Tooley, also attended.

Reported Herman Kasili

Children Launch Campaign For Public Debt Cancellation

NAIROBI (AANA) April 21 - Crusade for the cancellation of Kenya's debts was 
renewed April 7, when a Christian non-governmental organisation launched a 
campaign to push for debt relief, for the benefit of children.

The campaign dubbed, Cancel Debt for Children (CADEC), is aimed at 
expanding the national resource pool to enable Kenyan children access 
universal basic education and quality healthcare. About 700 children walked 
around the streets of Nairobi, calling for an end to the debt burden.

Speaking on behalf of children, young David Odhiambo, expressed hope that 
the new campaign will help open doors previously closed to schools and 
hospitals.

"We urge all the countries, banks, and other institutions, which Kenya owes 
money, to help us go to school, and get quality health care. We want Ksh 
630 billion (about US$ 8.4 billion) Kenya owes them to be forgiven," said 
Odhiambo, in a statement.

By December last year, Kenya was indebted to the tune of Ksh 629.5 billion. 
Between 1997 and 2002, the country spent Ksh 490 billion to service public 
debt, including the interests accrued.

Thus, from Ksh 936 billion (US$12.5 billion) revenue earned over this time, 
the country spent 52 percent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 
repaying debts.

"Meeting our debt obligation is both moral and legal duty, but it raises 
serious moral and human rights questions, especially when a country has to 
sacrifice its resources on education and health-care of children to meet 
this obligation," Moody Awori, the Minister for Home Affairs said.

Kenya has been repaying debts and failing to meet her internal needs. In 
2001/2002, the country spent Ksh 80 billion in servicing debts, while only 
Ksh 16 billion was allocated to the health sector. A lower portion went to 
education.

Reported by Muuna Wamuli

Museveni Issues Alert Over Possible Western Imposition

KAMPALA (AANA) April 21 - Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, who supported 
the US campaign against Iraq, has used the quick victory as a textbook case 
to underline major Arab weaknesses, which he says, African nations should 
avoid.

Museveni said Arab inconsistencies and disunity resulted in "Iraqi leaders 
being chased out of leadership like goats", and warned that unless African 
nations strove to build strong political and military blocks, foreigners 
would "come and impose their will on us"

The Ugandan leader was critical of Arab double standards, in which all were 
in unison in fighting for Palestinian rights, but condoned oppression of 
black Africans in Southern Sudan.

Museveni, who is keen on building a strong political block in East African, 
said African states needed to develop critical mass and strategic capacity 
to counter external influence.

Though Museveni reiterated his support for war on Iraq, he is weary of 
increasing criticism from the US over his DRC policy, the LRA conflict and 
the need to open up political space.

Museveni's remarks came as Egyptian Ambassador to Uganda, Massoum Marzouk, 
seized opportunity (Iraq war) to hit at perceived arrogance and military 
might of a "Christian empire, which sees God on its right side".

This did not go well with Ugandans, and upset even some Egyptian diplomats 
who criticised the diplomat for insensitivity.

Reported by Crespo Sebunya