Third World stance at UN commendable

THE defeat of a Western-sponsored motion at the UN General Assembly to censure Zimbabwe over alleged human rights abuses shows that the developing countries have seen through British machinations to manipulate a bilateral dispute into an international issue.

Ever since the Government embarked on the land reform programme to address colonial imbalances in the ownership of land, the British Labour government under Tony Blair has lead a spirited campaign to have Harare isolated.

Instead of providing funds for land reform as promised at the Lancaster House conference in 1979, the British government has at numerous international fora tried, by hook or crook, to have Zimbabwe condemned, but all this has been to no avail.
Africa on 11.29.04 @ 04:55 PM CST [more..]

Reshaping French relations in Africa

Ivory Coast showdown threatens to reshape French relations in Africa

For more than 100 years, French families have made their homes in this tropical country, rich in coffee and cocoa. Its main city, with its towering skyscrapers, crisp croissants and fine wines, became known as the Paris of West Africa.

Now an unparalleled and deadly showdown between France and its former prize colony has sent the majority of them fleeing wild looting and burning. For many on both sides of the crisis, it was a turning point that threatens to reshape France's cozy relationship with its former African empire.

"It is the end of the decolonisation process," said one French longtime resident, an auto parts dealer who asked not to be named. Until now, Ivory Coast has maintained strong political, economic, military and cultural ties with its ex-colonial master, prompting critics to say West Africa's economic hub never fully established independence at the end of French rule in 1960.

Full Article : hindustantimes.com
Africa on 11.29.04 @ 11:29 AM CST [link]

S.Africa's Tutu bites back in presidential spat

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu has refused to back down in a spat with President Thabo Mbeki, who has locked horns with the anti-apartheid hero for criticising the ruling ANC party.

Tutu -- long a thorn in the side of South Africa's former white governments -- last week stirred up political controversy when he used a public speech to blast Mbeki's ruling African National Congress (ANC) for "kowtowing" and stifling debate.

Mbeki, who led the ANC to a 70 percent victory in general elections in April, hit back, charging the Nobel Peace laureate with speaking out of turn and resorting to "empty rhetoric".

Full Article : swissinfo.org
Africa on 11.29.04 @ 11:25 AM CST [link]

Jesse Jackson demands Ohio presidential recount

Jesse Jackson demands Ohio presidential recount, blasts GOP election officials, and says Kerry supports the process

COLUMBUS--Preaching to a packed, wildly cheering central Ohio citizen congregation, Rev. Jesse Jackson blasted the presidential election back into the national headlines Sunday. Jackson said new findings cast serious doubt on the idea that George W. Bush beat John Kerry in Ohio November 2. A GOP "pattern of intentionality" was behind a suspect outcome, he said. At stake is "the integrity of the vote" for which "too many have died." "We can live with losing an election," he said. "We cannot live with fraud and stealing."

Jackson is the first major national figure to come here challenging the idea that Ohio has given George W. Bush a second term in the White House. Jackson emphasized that the vote "has not yet been certified" and demanded the removal of Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell from supervising the recount, which Jackson termed a case of "the fox guarding the chicken house." Blackwell co-chaired the Bush-Cheney campaign in Ohio and has been widely criticized for a series of partisan decisions that have thus far indicated Bush carried the state. Exit polls by Zogby and CNN showed Ohio going for Kerry with 53% and 51% respectively, which would win him presidency in the Electoral College.

Full Article : freepress.org
USA on 11.29.04 @ 11:09 AM CST [link]

Villagers eat ravenous lion

HARARE (Reuters) - Villagers have taken revenge on a lion that killed their livestock by barbecuing and eating it, Zimbabwe's state-owned Sunday Mail says.

"It ate our animals, so it is only fair that we eat it too," a villager said. The paper said on Sunday some believed they would get lion-like bravery and strength from the meat.

The lion -- part of a pride that terrorised the Zimbabwean village for more than six months -- was shot dead by parks authorities. In an unusual move, villagers demanded the carcass.

Full Article : news.yahoo.com
Africa on 11.29.04 @ 10:30 AM CST [link]