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IRIN-WA Daily Media Update 53-97 of Events in West Africa, 25 September 1997
[As a supplement to its weekly round-ups of main events in West Africa, IRIN-WA will produce a daily synopsis of international media reports on the region. IRIN issues these reports for the benefit of the humanitarian community but accepts no responsibility as to the accuracy of the original source.]
SIERRA LEONE: Teachers split on strike action
A major rift between Sierra Leone's teachers threatens the new school year. Teachers disagree over whether they should continue their strike action or return to work. The military government announced in late August that primary school classes would resume on 6 October and secondary schools on 10 October. The national executive committee of the 18,000-strong Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) responded by calling on its members to ignore both dates and continue the stay-home. On Wednesday, a group calling itself the Committee of Concerned Teachers rejected this call, saying "the majority of teachers are ready to serve the nation in conjunction with any government of the day." The committee further accused the SLTU executive of sending a document to the government treasury authorising it to deduct dues from staff salaries without their consent. SLTU secretary-general Alpha Timbo rejected the charges. Source: AFP
Mugabe calls for continued isolation
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe called on the international community to reject the Sierra Leone military government and to stand solidly with Africa in denying it recognition, Reuters reported. He said that Africa's tolerance for dictatorship was over. Speaking before the UN General Assembly, Mugabe said that Africa would not give legitimacy to regimes who "willy nilly" flout the rule of law and the popular aspirations of their people. Source: Reuters
NIGERIA: 20 die in inter-clan clashes
Renewed clashes between Ife and Modakeke communities in Osun State claimed 20 lives yesterday (Wednesday). Fighting resumed yesterday as antagonists used automatic weapons, hunting rifles and home-made guns in the fiercest fighting to date, AFP reported. About 100 buildings were razed to the ground. The police sent reinforcements to the area. The state's military governor, Lt-Colonel Anthony Obi, summoned leaders of both communities this morning to an emergency meeting at his headquarters in Oshogbo to discuss events. Early in September, the Modakeke King, Francis Adedoyin, claimed that armed assailants had tried to assassinate him. The state police commissioner said that he was unaware of this alleged attempt on the king's life.
The Nigerian daily 'Punch' told IRIN it was unclear whether this attempt triggered the latest round of clashes. It estimated that more than 50 people had been killed yesterday. Negotiations had been arduous as both parties had consistently refused to meet in the same room to air their grievances, Punch journalist Akin Olaninya said. Dow Jones News said that violence in Ife could probably disrupt the cocoa trade. The feud broke out in August when the local government decided to relocate a municipal headquarters. Source: AFP, Dow Jones and IRIN
Security forces arrest 71 democracy activists
Nigerian security forces arrested 71 pro-democracy activists today in Jos, central Nigeria. Tunji Abayomi, the lawyer of former military head of state Olusegun Obasanjo, was among those arrested at the pro-democracy conference. The head of Human Rights Africa, Abayomi has been arrested several times in the last few years. Obasanjo is currently serving a 15-year prison term over an alleged coup attempt. Source: AFP.
US summons Nigerian envoy
The United States government has asked Nigeria for an official explanation on the break-up of a farewell party for its outgoing envoy last week. In a statement issued on Wednesday, US State Department spokesman James Foley said that it had also asked the Nigerian government to hold those responsible for "this threatening and illegal action" accountable, Dow Jones news reported. Foley said that the State Department had summoned Nigeria's Ambassador in Washington and told him that the incident was an "unacceptable breach of international law". Walter Carrington, the outgoing US ambassador to Nigeria, has clashed repeatedly with the military regime on human rights issues. Source: Dow Jones news and RFI Insecurity still obstacle to business
A group of visiting British businessmen said political and social insecurity was an obstacle to business in Nigeria. The leader of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation was quoted by the Lagos press as saying that his team would not recommend investments in Nigeria at this point in time. Britain is Nigeria's largest trading partner. Source: Dow Jones news and Voice of Nigeria Africa on UN General Assembly agenda
Africa will take centre stage today at the annual UN General Assembly debate. US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will join foreign ministers at the UN to consider ways of dealing with the poverty and civil strife threatening the African continent. Source: UN news
Abidjan, 25 September 1997
[ENDS]
[Via the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs Integrated Regional Information Network for West Africa (IRIN-WA) Reports mailing list. The material contained in this communication may not necessarily reflect the views of the UN or its agencies. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts from this report should be attributed to the original sources where appropriate. For further information: e-mail irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci, Tel: +225 217367 Fax: +225 216335.]
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 09:32:14 -0300 (GMT+3) From: UN DHA IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@dha.unon.org> Subject: IRIN-WA Daily Media Update 53-97 for 25 Sep 1997 97.9.25 Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.95.970926092925.5720X-100000@amahoro.dha.unon.org>
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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