Author: WHES

Sudan’s Unbowed, Unbroken Inner Circle

KHARTOUM, Sudan — The men who control Africa’s largest country — the key architects of the conflict in Darfur — hail from two tiny, interwoven Arab tribes. Many of them grew up together and graduated from Khartoum University. They often sit together in cafés beside the Nile, bickering about politics and religion over endless cups of sweet tea.

In Zimbabwe, Withholding of Food Magnifies the Hunger for Change

ZHULUBE, Zimbabwe — Hundreds of bags of cornmeal were stacked in front of a bar near here this month, rising as high as its roof. The only problem for the hungry people of this drought-stricken area was that the food, like the bar, was controlled by officials from the ruling party. With a crucial election nearing, they weren’t about to give it to just anyone.

Togo’s President–the Former President’s Son Who Used the Military to Take Over After His Father’s Death– Steps Down After Strong International Pressure

Togo’s interim leader Faure Gnassingbe has said he is stepping down as president, after strong international pressure to leave office.In a statement broadcast on state media, Mr Faure said he would stand as a candidate in a presidential election due to be held in two months’ time.Mr Faure said the move would “guarantee the transparency” of the poll.

A Crushing Choice for Ethiopian Mothers With HIV: Facing Death, Women Leave Children at Orphanages

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The young mother sat in the orphanage waiting room, a baby playing in her lap. At 22, Adelaw Astake had become so gaunt from illness that her dirty skirt was wrapped twice around her narrow frame and held up at the waist with rags.

Born to be a Slave in Niger!

Slavery continues to blight the lives of many millions around the world. Although officially abolished in some countries two centuries ago, people trafficking, bonded labour and child labour still exist.Niger nomads
Slaves come from the poorest communities in Niger.There are some places on earth that few outsiders visit or know about, vast empty sections of the earth where time has stood still for centuries.Niger is one of those places. It is a country that you can drive through for hours without seeing a soul.

High bird flu risk in Africa after outbreak in Nigeria

(Rome, February 10, 2006) The outbreak of the deadly Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus (H5N1) in Nigeria confirms the fears expressed by FAO for quite some time that African countries are facing a high risk of becoming infected by the virus, FAO said today.

“The outbreak in Kaduna state in Northern Nigeria proves that no country is risk-free and that we are facing a serious international crisis,” said Samuel Jutzi, Director of FAO’s Animal Production and Health Division.

“If the situation in Nigeria gets out of control, it will have a devastating impact on the poultry population in the region, it will seriously damage the livelihoods of millions of people and it will increase the exposure of humans to the virus,” Jutzi said.

“It is important that local and national authorities within other countries in the region remain vigilant for possible outbreaks of suspected avian influenza in poultry and other birds. It is vital that all instances of multiple bird deaths are reported to authorities and investigated promptly,” Jutzi added.

FAO said that people should avoid any contact with obviously diseased or dead birds, maintain personal hygiene (handwashing) after handling poultry or poultry meat and should cook chicken meat and eggs properly.

“It remains unclear if the outbreak has been triggered by migratory birds or by the trade and movement of poultry or poultry products,” said Joseph Domenech, FAO Chief Veterinary Officer.

FAO and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) will send veterinary experts to Nigeria to assess the situation and examine how the virus has been introduced.

FAO urged veterinary services in Nigeria to eliminate the outbreaks through immediate humane culling and to strictly control the movement of people and animals from and to bird flu infected spots. FAO will also send two local experts to the affected region to advise local authorities on control measures.

Transparency, rapid interventions and close collaboration with the international community are crucial to stop the spread of the virus, FAO said.

“We are aware that veterinary services in Nigeria are in need of international support. The animal health infrastructure in the country is facing a big challenge and will require outside assistance,” Domenech said. Laboratory materials for diagnosis and protective equipment for veterinarians undertaking investigation are urgently required.

Nigeria is member of the West African network on avian influenza surveillance and diagnostics. The recently launched network is managed by FAO in close collaboration with the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources of the African Union.

Nigeria has an important commercial poultry sector and millions of backyard poultry farmers. The poultry population is estimated at 140 million.

The original Food and Agricultural Organization article may be seen at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000226/index.html

In Togo’s Dynastic Transition, An Echo of Yesterday’s Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 7 — When Gnassingbe Eyadema seized power in Togo in 1967, it was the era of the Big Man in Africa. Like many leaders of his generation, Eyadema ruthlessly crushed opposition forces, nurtured a cult of personality, then clung to power decade after decade, growing rich as his tiny West African nation stayed poor.