| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
Tel: +225 21-73-54 Fax: +225 21-63-35 e-mail: irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci
IRIN-WA Update 183 of Events in West Africa, (Wednesday) 8 April 1998
LIBERIA: Donors pledge US$ 220 million
Donors on Tuesday agreed in Paris to resume a regular aid programme for Liberia after an almost ten-year break because of the country's civil war, news organisations reported. Eleven donor countries at a Paris meeting agreed to provide US$ 220 million in grants to the Liberian government in the first phase of a two-year national reconstruction programme. Liberian Finance Minister Elie Saleeby said the meeting was a "rewarding experience" since it was the first signal that the international community recognised the Liberian government's economic efforts. World Bank Vice-President for Africa Jean-Louis Sarbib, quoted by AFP, said the Paris conference marked the beginning of a "more normal" relationship between Liberia and its development partners. In a statement, donors urged the government to allow press freedom, properly train the police and security forces, and hold speedy trials, AP reported.
Archbishop testifies on security matters
The Catholic Archbishop of Liberia, Michael Francis, said security problems in Monrovia were deeply rooted in the "unfinished business" of the Abuja accord, independent Star Radio reported on Tuesday. Testifying before the Liberian Senate on the security situation, Francis said though the accord was not a legal prescription, it contained "safeguards" on future problems. He said restructuring the army and other security forces without the input of the West African ECOMOG peacekeeping force would not be in the best interest of Liberia. Francis said the Roosevelt Johnson incident which heightened tension in Monrovia last month was a "symptom" of the deep malaise left by the war.
The 1996 Abuja accord laid the groundwork for disarmament and demobilisation of combatants, and paved the way for elections in Liberia. It also stipulated that ECOMOG assist in restructuring the army and security forces.
Opposition leader says reconstruction progress slow
Meanwhile, a Liberian opposition politician, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, said on Tuesday reconstruction had been very slow since the July 1997 elections, according to AFP. Speaking at a news conference in Monrovia after a nine-month absence from the country, Johnson-Sirleaf said most of the internally displaced should have returned to their farms, and rehabilitation should have been well under way in the urban areas. Johnson-Sirleaf, leader of the Unity Party (UP), said she had come back to Liberia to participate in the reconstruction and democratisation process. She called on the government to "create a calm environment", adding that her party would participate in local and municipal elections later this year.
Taylor supporters say job promises not honoured
Some members of President Charles Taylor's ruling National Patriotic Party (NPP) accused him of failing to honour his promises to his supporters, Star Radio reported on Tuesday. NPP members at a mini-convention last weekend claimed Taylor had promised more jobs to party members at a post-election meeting. Taylor was quoted as saying all recommendations for government jobs should go through the party's chairman and 90 percent of these would be acted upon. Many party members said nothing was being done to employ them, while some openly accused the government of employing members of the opposition. Taylor did not attend the mini-convention.
A local humanitarian source told IRIN Taylor seemed to be torn between creating a government of reconciliation, on the one hand, and rewarding those who put him in power, on the other.
US extends "temporary protective status"
Liberians residing in the United States under "temporary protective status" have had their stay extended by six months, according to Star Radio on Tuesday. The US Justice Department said it would terminate the law following improvement in security in Liberia. "Temporary protective status" is granted to aliens whose countries are experiencing natural disasters or conflicts. It is estimated that 8,000 Liberians will be affected by the law. The special status was granted for the first time to Liberians in March 1991.
NIGERIA: Nobel Prize winner says "armed conflict" possible
Nigerian Nobel Prize winner and activist Wole Soyinka said "armed conflict" in Nigeria to restore democracy should not be ruled out, AFP reported on Wednesday. The report quoted Soyinka, speaking on CNN, as calling for the release of Moshood Abiola, the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential elections annulled by the then military government, the formation of a government of national unity and a national conference to discuss the country's future. "If these conditions are not met, there is a strong possibility of an armed conflict," he warned. Soyinka also mentioned initiatives by pro-democracy groups to organise a "vast campaign of civil disobedience" if Nigerian leader General Sani Abacha decided to run in the August presidential elections.
Meanwhile, the United Action for Democracy (UAD), a
coalition of 26 Nigerian pro-democracy organisations,
called for international sanctions against the Abacha
government, AFP reported on Wednesday. Speaking at
a press conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, UAD
co-chairman Sylvester Odion-Akhane said an oil embargo
would "precipitate the demise" of the military
government. He added that the transition programme
to democracy was a "farce".
Thirty-nine meningitis deaths in northeast
A meningitis outbreak claimed 39 lives in northeastern Nigeria, AFP reported on Tuesday, quoting the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The Adamawa state health commissioner, Mustapha Ahmed, told reporters 250 cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis had been reported since January. Ahmed said 200,000 doses of the vaccine against the disease had been distributed. This was sufficient for only 20 percent of the caseload.
CHAD: President criticises "traitor" politicians
Chadian President Idriss Deby on Tuesday denounced "traitor" politicians trying to hinder oil exploration in southern Chad, AFP reported. Deby criticised those Chadian politicians lobbying World Bank officials and environmental NGOs to "hamper" oil exploration. He also criticised the human rights groups for their silence on "extortion of peaceful citizens" by the rebel Forces armees pour une republique federale (FARF) in the southern region of Moundou. Deby called on his government to ensure peace and security throughout the country.
GUINEA: Two deputies released
Two deputies belonging to the Rassemblement du Peuple Guineen (RPG), Mamadi Sangare Conde and Mamore Conde, were released on Monday, in Beyla, 900 km southeast of Conakry, Gabonese Africa No 1 radio reported. The Guinean opposition coalition, the Coordination de l'opposition democratique en Guinee (CODEM), which boycotted the national assembly on Monday, said it would examine the detention of three other members of parliament, including Mamadou Ba, leader of the Union Nouvelle pour la Republique (UNR).
MALI: Former US president praises Mali leader
Former US President Jimmy Carter on Wednesday commended Malian President Alpha Oumar Konare for his efforts to complete the democratic process begun a year ago, AFP reported. After a meeting with all the political parties, Carter suggested that municipal elections be held in the third week in June to allow each party to draw up an electoral list acceptable to all. He also recommended a political forum to examine organisational problems of elections and a complete "audit" of the independent national election commission.
The radical opposition rejected the results of the 1997 legislative and presidential elections, accusing the ruling Alliance pour la Democratie au Mali (ADEMA) of sabotaging the electoral process.
BURKINA FASO: "Safe pregnancy" strategy launched
The government of Burkina Faso has launched a national
health strategy called "safe pregnancy" aimed
at reducing mortality rates during pregnancy, AFP reported
on Tuesday. Celebrating World Health Day, the health
ministry said Burkina Faso's mortality rates of 917
in 100,000 during pregnancy were "tragic".
The objective is to improve the quality and accessibility
of health care to pregnant women.
TOGO: New press law abolishes arbitrary arrest
Togo's national assembly passed a new press code abolishing
arbitrary arrests and other types of harassment of
journalists, the International Freedom of Expression
Exchange (IFEX) reported Tuesday, quoting a West African
Journalists Association bulletin 'Freedom Link'. The
bulletin also said aggrieved persons and institutions,
including the head of state, members of parliament,
armed forces and law enforcement agencies,
would have to seek redress for any defamation through
the courts.
Abidjan, 8 April 1998, 19:30 gmt
[ends]
[The material contained in this communication comes to you via IRIN West Africa, a UN humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. UN IRIN-WA Tel: +225 21 73 66 Fax: +225 21 63 35 e-mail: irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci for more information or subscription. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this report, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts should include attribution to the original sources. IRIN reports are archived on the Web at: http://www.reliefweb.int/emergenc or can be retrieved automatically by sending e-mail to archive@dha.unon.org . Mailing list: irin-wa-updates]
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1998 19:35:10 +0000 (GMT) From: UN IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@wa.dha.unon.org> Subject: IRIN-West Africa Update 183, 98.4.8 Message-Id: <Pine.LNX.3.95.980408193127.31044A-100000@wa.dha.unon.org>
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
| Previous Menu | Home Page | What's New | Search | Country Specific |