UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
IRIN-WA Weekly Roundup 34, 98.2.6

IRIN-WA Weekly Roundup 34, 98.2.6


U N I T E D N A T I O N S Department of Humanitarian Affairs Integrated Regional Information Network for West Africa

Tel: +225 21-73-54 Fax: +225 21-63-35 e-mail: irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci

IRIN-WA Weekly Roundup 34 of Main Events in West Africa covering the period (Friday) 30 January to (Thursday) 5 February 1998

SIERRA LEONE: UN assessment mission

A UN mission this week prepared to travel to Sierra Leone to assess the humanitarian situation in the country. The mission, headed by the Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). It will look into the impact of UN sanctions and the embargo imposed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) after the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) seized power in a coup last May.

A UN press release said the mission, which also includes representatives of WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF and WHO, was being undertaken in response to the growing concerns of the humanitarian community working in Sierra Leone. During the week-long assessment, team members plan to visit the capital Freetown, Makeni, 100 kms to the east, and Kambia, 8 kms south of the Guinea border.

The UN sanctions and the ECOWAS embargo are being enforced by the West African regional peacekeeping force, ECOMOG. Although humanitarian aid is exempt, no food assistance has yet arrived in country because of administrative difficulties in obtaining ECOWAS clearance.

ECOWAS briefs UN

At the end of the week, the sanctions issue was to be discussed in detail at UN headquarters in New York where Nigeria's foreign minister, Tom Ikimi, and members of the ECOWAS Committee of Five West African foreign prepared to brief the Security Council. The committee is mandated by ECOWAS to monitor and make recommendations on the Sierra Leone situation.

AFRC moves to red alert status

The UN mission comes at a time of heightening tension in Sierra Leone. The AFRC said it had ordered security forces to a "red alert" status at the weekend after it claimed ECOMOG forces were attempting to expand their area of control. A brief radio announcement on Sunday in Freetown said security personnel had been ordered to ensure that "the Western area and its environs are gainfully manned with immediate effect" because an attack was expected at any time.

AFRC, Kamajors clash

Meanwhile, AFRC troops and Kamajor militias loyal to ousted president Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah battled for control this week of Mano Junction near the Liberian border some 250 km southeast of the capital Freetown. Although there were no casualty reports or further details on the clashes, the fighting was said to have reached a crescendo on Wednesday. Mano Junction is considered the third most important diamond mining town in Sierra Leone.

Newspapers licensed

Meanwhile, the AFRC granted only eight of Sierra Leone's 20 newspapers the right to continue publishing when press licenses came up for renewal at the weekend. Under the 1980 Newspaper Act, all papers are required to renew their licenses annually at a cost of US$ 1,000. While some newspapers were said to have been suspended because of their editorial content, several publishers had refused to heed a January 31 registration deadline in protest against the "undemocratic" nature of the current government. Relations between the AFRC and the press have steadily deteriorated since the coup.

Priests threatened

The Catholic Church said priests critical of AFRC had received anonymous death threats after calling in sermons for the return to power of ousted president, Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. "These threats have to come from the junta," a Church official was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone's Inter-Church Council also condemned the AFRC for the slow implementation of the Sierra Leone peace plan for a return to civilian rule by 22 April. Council president Llewlyn Rogers Wright said all signatories to the accord signed in Conakry, Guinea last October should demonstrate their "sincerity".

Foreign nationals abducted

In a separate development this week, six people including a senior foreign ministry official and three West African nationals were allegedly abducted near an ECOMOG check point at Jui 25 km east of Freetown. The AFRC said the six were en route to neighbouring Guinea when they were reported missing. They were identified as William Bangura, director general of the foreign affairs department, a Guinean Cherif Haderia, an Ivorian Keita Sekou, a Nigerien Alhaji Mai Nasora and two AFRC employees.

LIBERIA: ECOMOG units to remain

An unspecified number of ECOMOG units would remain in Liberia despite a farewell parade marking the end of its seven-year intervention. ECOMOG commander Major General Timothy Shelpidi said a complete withdrawal was a "political decision" and ECOMOG troops would remain until ECOWAS decided otherwise. Under the ECOWAS 1996 Abuja peace accord, which ended the Liberian war, ECOMOG troops were to have withdrawn on 2 February 1998.

However, on Monday after months of debate, Liberian President Charles Taylor finally agreed that an unspecified number of ECOMOG forces from three unnamed West African countries would "assist" the government with security and "capacity building". The 2 February deadline for withdrawal was set with the understanding that ECOMOG would have completed its mandate of restructuring Liberia's security forces - a task it has been unable to complete.

ECOMOG departure feared

The impending departure of ECOMOG troops has raised concerns among Liberia's rural residents. "The presence of ECOMOG troops in our area afforded us the opportunity to live in peace and security," a country resident told a local newspaper. "We fear their pending withdrawal."

Sierra Leone refugees in Liberia

It was reported this week that more refugees from Sierra Leone were entering Liberia. The number of refugees at a camp in Liberia's Grand Cape Mount County had reached 5,500. The Sinje camp, located 40 kms for the border, houses mainly women and children. According to a humanitarian source refugees continue to "trickle in" from Sierra Leone. A UNHCR source told IRIN that there were currently an estimated 127,000 Sierra Leonean refugees in Liberia.

Star radio to resume broadcasts

The head of Liberia's Star Radio, George Ben nett, told IRIN that the independent radio station had been granted government clearance to resume broadcasts on Friday. The station, which was established by the Swiss NGO Foundation Hirondelle to provide unbiased coverage of the 1997 Liberian elections, had its license revoked following a misunderstanding with the government licensing agency early last month. Radio Monrovia, which was also briefly suspended, resumed broadcasts last week.

Taylor invited to France

President Jacques Chirac this week invited Taylor on an official visit to France. The invitation was conveyed by Christian Dutheil de la Rochere, the new French ambassador to Liberia. The date of the visit was still to be fixed.

NIGERIA: Alleged coup plotters to face trial

The Nigerian authorities announced that a military tribunal was being set up this week to try detainees accused of plotting last December to overthrow Nigeria's leader,General Sani Abacha. Those to face trial would be named before the tribunal is convened. Last week the chairman of a special board submitted its report to Abacha detailing investigations into over 60 military and civilian personnel allegedly involved in the plot. Abacha's deputy, General Oladipo Diya, is among 12 principal suspects held in detention.

Fears for jailed human rights activist mount

Meanwhile concern mounted this week for a jailed human rights campaigner, Beko Ransome-Kuti. His daughter, Nike Ransome-Kuti, told IRIN her father could die without proper medical attention. Last week he was transferred from solitary confinement in the Kaduna prison in northern Nigeria to a nearby teaching hospital. She said her father was suffering from an "irregular heartbeat and chest pains". Ransome-Kuti has been serving a 15 year jail sentence for involvement in an alleged coup plot against Abacha in March 1995.

Papal visit raises hopes for detainees

In a related development, it was reported that next month's pilgrimage to Nigeria by Pope John Paul II could lead to the release of Chief Moshood Abiola, who was widely believed to have won the 1993 presidential election. Nigerian newspapers said the government was considering freeing some political detainees during the Pope's visit March 21-23. Last November, Abacha who is scheduled to meet John Paul, pledged to released an unspecified number of political detainees.

Abacha for president

On the political front, five parties authorised to participate in the presidential election announced plans to propose Abacha as their sole candidate. The parties agreed to establish a joint committee to approach Abacha with their offer. He has so far declined comment on his possible candidacy. The elections are scheduled for 1 August 1998 as part of Abacha's pledged transition to democracy.

Katsina tense after three die in clashes

Clashes between Nigerian police and Islamic militants in northern Nigerian city of Katsina last Friday have claimed the lives of two civilians and a policeman. The clashes resulted from a protest for the release of their spiritual leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Ahmad El Zak-Zaki, who was detained in 1996. Announcing stepped up security in the area, the authorities said they were also concerned a military strike on Baghdad could provoke protests from pro-Iraq Muslims in the city.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Foreign nationals arrested

A Nigerian and four people holding Spanish citizenship were arrested this week and held on charges carrying the death penalty following a clash between government troops and Bioko Island separatists. The clash, which claimed seven lives, followed a government search for members of the separatist Movimiento para la Autodeterminacion de la Isla de Bioko (MAIB) in the island town of Rebola, 60 kms south of the capital, Malabo. The opposition claimed government forces had arrested over 300 people since the first alleged MAIB attack on 21 January.

Earlier, the Equatorial Guinean government accused the separatists of launching a new attack at the weekend while soldiers were searching for suspected MAIB followers. An MAIB separatist was killed and an unspecified number of people were reportedly injured. The minority Bubi ethnic group in Bioko are demanding independence from the mainland Fang.

MUARITANIA: Official arrested

The Mauritanian high commissioner for the Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVA), Baba Ould Sidi, was arrested in the capital, Nouakchott, late last week and charged with "betraying" his country. The move followed a restructuring of the OMVA in which Mauritania lost several key posts. The management of water flow from the Senegal River dam is crucial to the livelihood of the population along the river, mainly black Mauritanians. Member states also include Senegal and Mali.

Fisheries incident averted

Senegal's fisheries minister, Alassane Dialy Ndiaye, said that Mauritania and Senegal were expected to renegotiate a 1983 fishing convention in coming months. Making the announcement, he also said equipment seized from Senegalese fishing boats by the Mauritanian coast guard would be returned. The fishing convention has not been respected by either side since a 1989-1992 border war. The maritime industry was once the most dynamic sector of Mauritania's economy, but it has been hard hit by declining stocks and over fishing.

Mauritanian Refugees call for restitution of aid

Mauritanian refugees in Senegal have asked the UNHCR to resume deliveries of medical and food aid until it is safe for them to return home. The Association des Mauritaniens Refugies au Senegal (AMRS) said that the suspension of aid constituted a breach of UNHCR's protection mandate and that it was "forcing" refugees to return home. There are an estimated 50,000 Mauritanian refugees in Senegal.

SENEGAL: Badji joins call for Casamance negotiations

Sidy Badji, a founding member of the military wing of the separatist movement des Forces Democratiques de la Casamance (MFDC) has announced his willingness to open a dialogue with the faction led by father Augustin Diamacoune Senghor. The more moderate Senghor appealed twice in recent months for an MFDC ceasefire. However, he has been unable to reconcile his moderate faction with more radical elements of the MFDC, who have repeatedly undermined efforts to restore peace to the area.

CHAD: French nationals kidnapped

Unidentified armed men have kidnapped four French nationals at a game park in southern Chad this week. The four are an aid volunteer and three members of the French Office National de la Chasse (ONC). Although no-one had claimed responsibility, the opposition group Front National du Tchad Renove (FNTR) said the abductions were the "direct consequence of France's military and financial support of President Idriss Deby's regime".

CHAD: Opposition figure claims he was kidnapped

In another kidnapping incident this week, Chadian opposition leader Yaya Bakit Ali said he had been abducted by government soldiers in the capital, Ndjamena, late last week. He claimed to have escaped his abductors on 31 January. The leader of the National Union for Democracy and Progress also claimed to have been physically tortured by his captors. There was been no independent confirmation of the report.

GUINEA: Presidential election in December

The Guinean authorities announced that presidential elections had been set for December 1998. Twelve candidates will contest the election which will be held in two rounds of voting.

WEST AFRICA: Asian threat to CFA franc

The dramatic fall in Asian currencies raised concern this week over the impact it might have on Africa's CFA franc used in 14 West African nations. The CFA franc is in competition with Asian currencies in the coffee, coco, timber, palm oil and other commodity markets. France has promised to maintain its fixed exchange rate with the CFA franc. However, with the advent of the euro single currency in Europe, Germany has raised objections to continued French support for the CFA franc.

Abidjan, 6 February, 15:00 GMT

[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-weekly]

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PRESS RELEASE Status: RO

Date : February 6, 1998 Issued by Fondation Hirondelle, Lausanne-Switzerland

STAR radio resumes broadcasts in Liberia

The independent radio station STAR radio, broadcasting from Monrovia (Liberia), has resumed broadcasting on January 6, after one month of suspension ordered by the Liberian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications due to an alleged illegal allocation of broadcast frequencies.

STAR radio?s request for resuming its activities has been supported by various Liberian Ministries and an authorisation of broadcast has been issued by the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.

Since the suspension of the radio?s programs in January, STAR radio has received many messages of appreciation and support from its listeners and from the people who were reading STAR radio?s news on the Internet. International press freedom agencies also expressed their support.

STAR radio was created in July 1997 by the Fondation Hirondelle in order to provide an independent source of information to all Liberians and to assist the country ravaged by seven years of civil war in the process of reconciliation and reconstruction. STAR radio?s main news bulletin are aired in 14 vernacular languages as well as in English, Liberian-English and French.

The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES). STAR radio's news and programs are compiled, edited and broadcast by nearly one hundred Liberian journalists, technicians and administrative staff.

Fondation Hirondelle was created in 1995 by Swiss journalists in order to provide independent and impartial information to populations deprived of such by a conflict or a natural disaster.

Fondation Hirondelle, Lausanne, Switzerland January 23, 1998 +41 21 647 28 05 phone +41 21 647 44 69 fax fondhi@atge.automail.com

[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-extra]

Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 15:12:32 +0000 (GMT) From: UN IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@wa.dha.unon.org> Subject: IRIN-WA Weekly Roundup 34, 98.2.6 Message-Id: <Pine.LNX.3.95.980206150756.7845A-100000@wa.dha.unon.org>

Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar

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