wfn.org | AANA BULLETIN No. 18/03 May 12, 2003 (a)

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

ALL AFRICA NEWS AGENCY

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AANA BULLETIN No. 18/03  May 12, 2003 (a)

NEWS SECTION

Major AIDS Initiative Kicks Off In Southern Africa

JOHANNESBURG (AANA) May 12 - The significance of the Church in the fight 
against HIV/AIDS has once again been brought to the fore, after Church of 
the Province of Southern Africa (CPSA) recently partnered with Christian 
Aid (UK) and the British government through Department For International 
Development (DFID), to embark on a major R222 million ($30.5 million) AIDS 
programme.

The programme, dubbed Isiseko Sokomoleza (Building the Foundation), was 
launched at a colourful ceremony at St Mary's Cathedral, in Johannesburg, 
South Africa, on April 23.

This is so far the largest funded AIDS programme to be undertaken by a 
single faith-based community.  CPSA's contribution in human capital has 
been calculated at R177 million while Christian Aid and DFID will provide 
the rest R45 million to create the combined value of R222 million.

Speaking at the launch, CPSA Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, said the 
large amount of funds availed to the Church was a demonstration that the 
faith community could handle major programmes and realise results.

The Archbishop noted that there were more opportunities to thrust religious 
groups to the frontlines of the AIDS battle, and called for comprehensive 
and focused programmes to empower clergy and laity in integrating AIDS 
issues in their ministries.

After the official inauguration, delegates from all the 23 Dioceses of CPSA 
attended a three-day intensive consultation to refine their diocesan 
strategic plans. Most of the dioceses identified reduction of stigma 
associated with AIDS, care and support, as their primary objectives. Some 
of the dioceses have developed innovative strategies to promote AIDS 
awareness that incorporate moral and spiritual values.

At the provincial level, the Church has adopted a curriculum specifically 
designed to prepare theological and pastoral students to deal with the AIDS 
pandemic, in and out of the pulpit. Liturgy is also being tailored to 
accommodate AIDS.

The three-year Isiseko Sokomoleza programme is the first of its kind in 
many aspects, and it is hoped that similar programmes will be replicated in 
other Provinces and Dioceses in Africa.

  Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) secretariat in Nairobi, is 
working with the Provinces to assist them develop and implement strategies 
that will mitigate the impact of AIDS in their communities.

Said Archbishop Ndungane, who also heads the CAPA AIDS Board: "Within the 
first year, we hope to demonstrate to the world and to the people of our 
parishes and communities that we live in the mission imperative that no one 
should care alone. No one should die alone. For we are all living with AIDS".

Reported by Justus Waimiri,
CAPA Communications Officer

Correction

In our bulletin No.48/02 of December 9, 2002, we incorrecltly quoted Dr. 
Ute Schwartz, Technical Manager of Strengthening STD/HIV Control in Kenya 
Project, as having favoured compulsory HIV testing.  We also published that 
her organisation was involved in co-ordinating AIDS vaccine trials in 
Kenya.	We have learned that this is incorrect.  We subsequently sincerely 
apologise for this misrepresentation.  Below, is Dr. Ute's clarification:

"I wish to clarify at this point that I have never indicated I was in 
favour of compulsory testing of HIV.  I rather pointed out that I was 
opposed to it because it carries a high risk of stigmatisation and personal 
damage to the individual, and does not facilitate behaviour change.  In 
addition, the article erred in noting that our organisation... co-ordinated 
AIDS vaccine trials.  We have never been involved in such kind of
activities."

AACC Mourns Death Of A Great African Nationalist

NAIROBI (AANA) May 12 - The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) has 
sent messages of condolence to the family of the late Walter Sisulu, and to 
the president of the Republic of South Africa.

A nationalist and African National Congress (ANC) veteran, Walter Sisulu, 
died at age 91, on May 5.

A statement signed by AACC Interim General Secretary, Melaku Kifle, 
described Sisulu as "a gentleman of the liberation struggle with an iron 
will", adding, "he was also an epitome of efficiency with focused mind."

"We will remember him for his amazing gift of identifying and promoting 
talent, his leadership qualities and principles, always seeking the best 
for his country than for himself. His leaders regarded him as a fountain of 
wisdom," said part of the statement.

Sisulu joined ANC in 1940, and was among the group of radicals who formed 
the youth league in 1943/44. Others were Nelson Mandela and Oliver 
Tambo.	Through their leadership, the organisation started sponsoring 
non-violent protests, in the process becoming a target of police harassment 
and arrest.

By the end of Second World War, ANC had initiated strong agitation against 
pass laws, and when the largely white electorate voted in the National 
Party in 1948, ANC's membership grew rapidly, rising to 100,000 in 1952.

At the 1964 Rivonia Trial, Sisulu was the main defence witness and was 
subjected to fierce attack by prosecutor Percy Yutar.

Sisulu was charged with sabotage and other offences, and sentenced to life 
imprisonment on Robben Island. He was released in October 1989, having 
spent 26 years in prison.

He was elected ANC deputy president in 1991, but three years later, he 
asked to be relieved of his duties to allow young people move into higher 
leadership positions.

He was a recipient of Isitwalandwe Seaparankoe, the highest award granted 
by ANC, for his contribution to the liberation struggle.

"It is our prayer that God's grace will enable the people of South Africa 
and his family to endure the sense of loss, following the departure of our 
dear son of Africa," said Melaku.

Reported by Olwira Betty

West, Central Africans, Want WTO To Stop Cotton Subsidies

OUAGADOUGOU (AANA) May 12 - Trade ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad 
and Benin have petitioned the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to end 
subsidies in the cotton industry, particularly those by United States (US), 
European Union (EU) and China.

The ministers have also asked for compensation by these countries, whose 
subsidies they say, have caused losses to their cotton producers in west 
and central Africa. "We are just bringing to attention, all the perverse 
effects of those subsidies on our populations," said Benin trade minister, 
Lazare Lohoueto, during a joint press conference in Ouagadougou.

They plan to push for negotiations on the issue at the next WTO ministerial 
meeting at Cancun, Mexico, in September this year. More than 10 million 
people in west and central Africa depend directly on Cotton for their 
livelihood.

Mali, Benin and Burkina Faso have already lost US$ 43 million, US$ 33 
million and US$ 28 million in export earnings respectively, due to the 
subsidies that bring down cotton price at the international market.

Every year, US, EU and China, pump respectively, US$ 3.7 billion, US$ 700 
million and US$ 1.2 billion to support cotton producers in their countries.

As a result, west and central African cotton producers, who export 90 
percent of their production have experienced decline in income by 31 
percent, while their production had increased by 14 percent. The US 
subsidies alone, outstrip by 60 percent, the gross domestic product of 
Burkina Faso.

"At Cancun, we are not going to negotiate any other issue unless the case 
of cotton is solved. We want the cotton question to be as central as the 
question of oil for countries producing the black gold," Mali trade 
minister, Chogel Maiga, said.

"That will allow us to maintain pressure on those countries whose attitudes 
threaten the lives of millions of people," explained Sally Baden, Economic 
Justice Policy adviser at Oxfam regional office in Dakar, Senegal.

Reported by Brahima Ouedraogo

Faction Leader Declares Interest In Somalia Presidency

NAIROBI (AANA) May 12 - With only about a month to go before the completion 
of Somalia peace negotiations in Kenya, Hussein Farah Aideed, one of the 
warring faction leaders, has declared interest in the country's presidency.

Mr. Aideed announced his intention here on May 6, after a Somalia 
Reconciliation and Reconstruction Council (SRRC) meeting.

He said one of the powerful factions in the conflict, had nominated him to 
run for the position as first president of a re-united Somali republic, and 
to head the interim government after an election due in two or three months.

Following this development, hopes are high that after more than a decade of 
anarchy, the conflict in Somalia will come to an end, paving way for 
reconstruction of the war-torn country.

At a press conference, Aideed said the talks in Kenya were in their last 
phase and that the people of Somalia, through their representatives, had 
agreed broadly on reconciliation and reconstruction of their country.

"Indeed, this is the last conference for Somalia, and in a few months time, 
a government will be sitting in [the country]," he said.

Aideed's declaration is based on nine principles agreed upon on the 
formation of a government of national unity to oversee transition to peace. 
The government will be expected to revive service institutions, enforce law 
and order, demobilise the militias and carry out a national census, among 
other issues.

"And to constitute the government of national unity, the country will hold 
free and fair elections based on the principal of one person, one vote. The 
United Nations, regional governments and international organisations will 
supervise the elections," said Mr.Aideed.

In a press statement, Mr. Aideed said the proposed elections, which will be 
the first "after a very long time", are expected to be democratic and 
competitive. "Somali people will have the opportunity to elect leaders and 
a government of their choice," said part of the statement.

Presently, the country is estimated to have a population of about 14 
million people, majority of who are in exile.

"Once elected, I promise to lead our beloved country towards 
reconciliation, reconstruction and to build a Somali society based on the 
ideals of democracy, economic prosperity and social justice for all," said 
Mr. Aideed.

Reported by Muuna Wamuli and Makur Kot Dhuor