Sudan: Human Rights
Human Rights Watch is urging both the NCP and the SPLM to guarantee protection of national minorities and remove public fears of discrimination following the referendum in January. It indicates that the absence of a clear agreement on citizenship has contributed to increased anxiety for minority communities in the north and the south. The Human Rights Watch’s hope is that, the government of Sudan will maintain the rights of every Sudanese in case of secession.
Ivory Coast: France warns nationals to leave
As a "precaution", amid an ongoing crisis over a disputed presidential poll, France said that, its 15,000 nationals should leave Cote d’Ivoire. The man named as provisional prime minister has called for the use of force to remove incumbent Laurent Gbagbo, who is refusing to step down. The World Bank chief Robert Zoellick confirmed that the institution had stopped lending and disbursing funds, and that its office in Abidjan had closed after meeting in Paris with the French President Nicolas Sarkozy. "The World Bank and the African Development Bank have supported Ecowas and the African Union in sending the message to President Gbagbo that he has lost the election and needs to step down,”. Provisional President Alassane Ouattara has also appealed to the West African Central Bank (BCEAO) to cut off Mr Gbagbo's access to Ivory Coast's deposits, making it impossible for him to pay civil servants and soldiers. At the same time, PM-elect Guillaume Soro said that international sanctions had failed to achieve their aim and called for more action to remove Mr Gbagbo.
Guinea's Condé sworn in at colourful ceremony
Alpha Condé has, 72 year-old, been sworn in and becomes Guinea’s first democratically-elected president since the country’s independence in 1958. In his inaugural message Prof Condé pledged to take the lead in observing the rule of law in a country that has been under the thumb of the military since the death of authoritarian leader Lassana Conte in 2008. The historic and colourful event, if belated, took place on Tuesday in the capital Conakry with the sub region being entertained to a marathon diplomatic ballet transmitted live by state-run Radio Télé Guinéene. Prof Condé pledged to respect and abide by the constitution of the country and defends the territorial integrity of the Republic of Guinea."Cognizant of the challenges that lie ahead of me, I will endeavour at all times to meet the expectation of my compatriots both at home and abroad."He insists that the contribution of everybody will be needed "in many ways and at all times so that together we can build this nation of ours. I will take the lead in demonstrating patriotism and the respect for law and order and I stand to be punished severely whenever I go wrong.”
Niger: ex-president to face prosecution
The military junta in Niger has announced that it has lifted the presidential immunity of the former head of state of the country President Mamadou Tandja. Announcing the move on Sunday night on the country’s radio and television, the spokesman of the junta Laouali Dan Dah explained the action will enable the former President Mamadou Tandja to be prosecuted for financial crimes. The ex-president is presently under house arrest in the capital Niamey. Mr Dah said that “it is an opportunity for the former President to fully explain to the public about the charges of financial crimes levelled against him”. He added that the Head of the military junta Maj. Salou Djibou had revealed that the ad hoc committee has already recovered about 7 million Euros out of the 21 million Euros the junta claims had been embezzled by the former regime.
Human Rights in Gabon: Interpol rescues trafficked children
Some 44 people were arrested in a two-day operation earlier this month against the trafficking of children. The international police agency Interpol said that more than 140 children have been rescued after being forced to work in markets in Gabon. They were as young as six and from 10 unnamed countries. Gabon police found them selling and carrying heavy goods in market stalls in the capital, Libreville. Children from poor West African families have long been sent to work in oil-rich Gabon.