….on Sexual Violence in Conflict – By Dennis Kabatto – The main focus of a recent Classroom Conversations on Sexual violence in conflict and beyond: a conspiracy of silence was what we can do individually and collectively to stop violence against women? The highlights of the two hour conversation held at the UN Headquarters in New York was the devastating forms of sexual violence which are sometimes deployed systematically to achieve military and political objectives and condoned in every continent, country and culture as noted by UN Secretary-General Ban ki Moon. The panel led by Sierra Leonean diplomat Zainab Hawa... Continue Reading
By Elias Mhegera – Once again Tanzanians have been warned not to think that this country is cushioned from the negative effects of ‘natural resources curse’, which is almost a global phenomenon. This curse also known as the ‘Dutch disease’ in economics terms is always characterized by corruption and opaqueness. In real terms it is the apparent relationship between the increase in exploitation of natural resources and a decline in the manufacturing sector. Speaking exclusively to shout-africa.com on Saturday last week, the researcher at the Dar es Salaam based Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), Apronius Mbilinyi reminded me of... Continue Reading
London, 18 January 2013 – As bombings and combat continue in multiple locations in Mali, the medical humanitarian organisation MédecinsSans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) calls on all parties to the conflict to authorise humanitarian organisations to enter the area ofKonna and to allow aid to be provided in all areas affected by fighting. MSF has been in contact with Mali’s civilian and military authorities since Monday, as well as with the French army and government, in an effort to obtain authorisation to send medical teams to Konna. To date, access roads to this town, located in the centre of the country, remain closed by the Malian army. “Despite our repeated requests, the authorities... Continue Reading
BRAZZAVILLE, 17 January 2013 (IRIN) – The director-general of Congo’s prison service, Paul Morossa, has admitted serious overcrowding in prisons, but does not think imminent improvements are possible. Prisons built 70 years ago – one in Brazzaville, meant to accommodate 150 inmates, and one in Pointe Noire, meant accommodate 75 – currently house 700 and 300 inmates respectively, he told IRIN. “The difficulties we face are due to the fact that our prison system is old. New structures have not been built to match the growing number of prisoners. Management and funding issues will be difficult to address in the... Continue Reading
NAIROBI, October 2012 (IRIN) – The number of flood-affected people in Chad has risen to 700,000, up from 445,000 in September, according to humanitarian agencies, which also report the loss or damage of 255,720 hectares of cropland, 94,211 houses and 1,015 schools. Some 70,000 people have been displaced by the flooding, one of several challenges to the country’s humanitarian situation. The areas worst affected by the floods include the regions of Moyen Chari, Tanjile, the two Logones, the two Mayo Kebbis and Salamat, according to a 15 October update by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). At least 16 of the... Continue Reading
