By Camillus Eboh
ABUJA, July 31 (Reuters) - President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a committee to negotiate with radical Islamist sect Boko Haram, a group behind almost daily shootings and bomb attacks in northeast Nigeria.
Boko Haram, which means "western education is sinful", has claimed responsibility for months of attacks in and around Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. Strikes mainly target the police, churches and outdoor drinking areas.
More than 250 people have been killed since July 2010 by Boko Haram, rights groups say.
The seven-man committee, to be inaugurated on Tuesday, will be led by Borno civil servant Usman Gaji Galtimari. He headed a committee which produced a report following the 2009 Boko Haram uprising, in which hundreds of people were killed.
It will review all the security problems in the zone and make recommendations to bring a speedy end to the crisis, a government statement said.
Jonathan, who was sworn in for his first full term in office in late May, has previously voiced support for dialogue but the group has said it will only negotiate if its demands, including the resignation of the Borno state government, are met.
The committee was set up after a meeting between Jonathan and local Borno leaders, who have said the military has done more harm than good in reacting to attacks in the region.
Amnesty International has said brutalisation by security forces, unlawful arrests, killings and disappearances have been the operating practice in Maiduguri for months.
30.7.11
O famigerado Exército de Resistência do Senhor
By George Fominyen
DAKAR (AlertNet) – Inhabitants of Congo’s Province Orientale, bordering Republic of South Sudan, are increasingly preyed on by armed groups, particularly the Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a report from international aid group Oxfam said on Thursday.
Despite military operations by the Congolese and Ugandan armies to snuff out the LRA, 90 percent of the 3.3 million people in the Haut and Bas Uele territories of eastern Congo still live in fear of attack, according to Oxfam's annual survey. Small groups of “hungry fighters” from the LRA wreak havoc on civilians and are responsible for widespread killings, lootings and abductions.
The charity said in a statement that June was one of the worst months on record for LRA violence in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There were 53 attacks, involving 26 deaths and 23 kidnappings, including 10 children.
Attacks in the first six months of 2011 totalled 158, representing a 53 per cent increase on the previous year. Some 45,000 civilians fled the LRA in the same period.
“Our future is dark,” said an unnamed respondent in the Haut Uele region. “We are scared all the time. The LRA continue to kill us and burn our houses down.”
Since September 2008, the LRA - which was chased out of Uganda, and is famous for mutilating its victims and abducting children to work as porters and sex slaves - has killed more than 2,300 people, abducted over 3,000 and displaced more than 400,000 others in DRC, Sudan and Central African Republic.
Its fighters are particularly dreaded by locals because they loot crops and destroy farms, leaving impoverished people even poorer and hungrier.
CALL FOR MORE UN PROTECTION
Oxfam has called for more troops from the U.N. peacekeeping force in Congo (MONUSCO) to be deployed in regions where the LRA is active.
MONUSCO is the largest U.N. peacekeeping force in the world, with more than 18,000 troops across the country. Yet fewer than 1,000 peacekeepers are estimated to be deployed in LRA-affected areas.
DAKAR (AlertNet) – Inhabitants of Congo’s Province Orientale, bordering Republic of South Sudan, are increasingly preyed on by armed groups, particularly the Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a report from international aid group Oxfam said on Thursday.
Despite military operations by the Congolese and Ugandan armies to snuff out the LRA, 90 percent of the 3.3 million people in the Haut and Bas Uele territories of eastern Congo still live in fear of attack, according to Oxfam's annual survey. Small groups of “hungry fighters” from the LRA wreak havoc on civilians and are responsible for widespread killings, lootings and abductions.
The charity said in a statement that June was one of the worst months on record for LRA violence in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There were 53 attacks, involving 26 deaths and 23 kidnappings, including 10 children.
Attacks in the first six months of 2011 totalled 158, representing a 53 per cent increase on the previous year. Some 45,000 civilians fled the LRA in the same period.
“Our future is dark,” said an unnamed respondent in the Haut Uele region. “We are scared all the time. The LRA continue to kill us and burn our houses down.”
Since September 2008, the LRA - which was chased out of Uganda, and is famous for mutilating its victims and abducting children to work as porters and sex slaves - has killed more than 2,300 people, abducted over 3,000 and displaced more than 400,000 others in DRC, Sudan and Central African Republic.
Its fighters are particularly dreaded by locals because they loot crops and destroy farms, leaving impoverished people even poorer and hungrier.
CALL FOR MORE UN PROTECTION
Oxfam has called for more troops from the U.N. peacekeeping force in Congo (MONUSCO) to be deployed in regions where the LRA is active.
MONUSCO is the largest U.N. peacekeeping force in the world, with more than 18,000 troops across the country. Yet fewer than 1,000 peacekeepers are estimated to be deployed in LRA-affected areas.
Seis meses de crise no Iémen
Tens of thousands of opponents and supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, convalescing in Saudi Arabia, have held rival rallies in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
Friday's anti-regime protests also took place in several provinces, including Yemen's second largest city of Taez, in Ibb, Shabwa, Saada and Marib, witnesses said.
A smaller number of Saleh's loyalists gathered in a southern district of Sanaa for a Friday of "loyalty" to the veteran leader, hospitalised in Riyadh from bomb wounds he sustained in an attack on his palace compound on June 3.
Yemen opposition forces have deployed armoured vehicles in the capital Sanaa and dispersed a group of people who wanted the demonstrators' tents removed.
A large number of troops and armoured vehicles guarded the 'Change Square' as anti-regime protesters took to the streets after noon prayers for what they called 'Friday of Patience'.
"We will remain steadfast and preserve the peacefulness of our revolution until this regime falls," a cleric said, appealing for calm and persistence.
Protesters have camped for months in the area, growing increasingly frustrated that their mass movement of six months has yet to shake loose the 69-year old president's grip on power.
Even after he was forced to go to Riyadh for medical treatment following a bomb attack on his palace in June, Saleh has vowed to return to oversee a national dialogue and elections but the opposition accuses him of stalling tactics.
In the south of the country, security forces clashed with fighters near one of several towns under the control of al-Qaeda-linked militants who have taken advantage of Yemen's political turmoil.
Six soldiers and five militants were killed when fighting broke out in the town of Zinjibar, a security official said.
The six-month confrontation between the regime and its opponents has claimed the lives of hundreds across the nation and pushed Yemen, already one of the world's poorest countries, to the edge.
Source: Agencies Al Jazeera
Friday's anti-regime protests also took place in several provinces, including Yemen's second largest city of Taez, in Ibb, Shabwa, Saada and Marib, witnesses said.
A smaller number of Saleh's loyalists gathered in a southern district of Sanaa for a Friday of "loyalty" to the veteran leader, hospitalised in Riyadh from bomb wounds he sustained in an attack on his palace compound on June 3.
Yemen opposition forces have deployed armoured vehicles in the capital Sanaa and dispersed a group of people who wanted the demonstrators' tents removed.
A large number of troops and armoured vehicles guarded the 'Change Square' as anti-regime protesters took to the streets after noon prayers for what they called 'Friday of Patience'.
"We will remain steadfast and preserve the peacefulness of our revolution until this regime falls," a cleric said, appealing for calm and persistence.
Protesters have camped for months in the area, growing increasingly frustrated that their mass movement of six months has yet to shake loose the 69-year old president's grip on power.
Even after he was forced to go to Riyadh for medical treatment following a bomb attack on his palace in June, Saleh has vowed to return to oversee a national dialogue and elections but the opposition accuses him of stalling tactics.
In the south of the country, security forces clashed with fighters near one of several towns under the control of al-Qaeda-linked militants who have taken advantage of Yemen's political turmoil.
Six soldiers and five militants were killed when fighting broke out in the town of Zinjibar, a security official said.
The six-month confrontation between the regime and its opponents has claimed the lives of hundreds across the nation and pushed Yemen, already one of the world's poorest countries, to the edge.
Source: Agencies Al Jazeera
A somalização da Líbia
L'OTAN a annoncé samedi 30 juillet avoir mené une série de frappes de précision et neutralisé trois antennes de transmission par satellite de la télévision publique libyenne à Tripoli afin de "réduire le colonel Kadhafi au silence". L'objectif est d'empêcher Mouammar Kadhafi d'utiliser la télévision libyenne "pour intimider et inciter à mener des actes de violences contre sa population". "Kadhafi se sert de ses interventions télévisées pour instiller la haine entre les libyens et mobiliser ses partisans", a accusé le porte-parole de l'OTAN, le colonel Roland Lavoie.
"Ces frappes ont utilisé des bombes guidées", a précisé le porte-parole de l'Alliance. "L'opération a été soigneusement préparée pour éviter de faire des victimes et avec l'intention de ne pas détruire toutes les infrastructures de la télévision libyenne (...) qui seront nécessaires après le conflit", a conclu le porte-parole dans son communiqué.
L'OTAN ACCUSÉ DE MENER DE NOUVEAUX RAIDS
Au moins une dizaine d'explosions, puissantes mais lointaines ont été entendues vendredi peu après 22 heure dans le centre ville de Tripoli. Entre 1 heure et 2 heures du matin, samedi, de nouvelles explosions ont été entendues, notamment dans le secteur de la résidence du colonel Kadhafi, au centre de Tripoli, faisant trembler l'hôtel abritant les correspondants de la presse internationale, pas loin de la résidence.
Un bandeau de la télévision libyenne a indiqué que "Tripoli est actuellement la cible de raids de l'agresseur colonianiste croisé", en allusion à l'Alliance atlantique. Un animateur de la télévision Al-Jamahiriya a précisé par la suite que le siège de la télévision libyenne avait été touché par les raids, sans autre précision.
Le Monde
"Ces frappes ont utilisé des bombes guidées", a précisé le porte-parole de l'Alliance. "L'opération a été soigneusement préparée pour éviter de faire des victimes et avec l'intention de ne pas détruire toutes les infrastructures de la télévision libyenne (...) qui seront nécessaires après le conflit", a conclu le porte-parole dans son communiqué.
L'OTAN ACCUSÉ DE MENER DE NOUVEAUX RAIDS
Au moins une dizaine d'explosions, puissantes mais lointaines ont été entendues vendredi peu après 22 heure dans le centre ville de Tripoli. Entre 1 heure et 2 heures du matin, samedi, de nouvelles explosions ont été entendues, notamment dans le secteur de la résidence du colonel Kadhafi, au centre de Tripoli, faisant trembler l'hôtel abritant les correspondants de la presse internationale, pas loin de la résidence.
Un bandeau de la télévision libyenne a indiqué que "Tripoli est actuellement la cible de raids de l'agresseur colonianiste croisé", en allusion à l'Alliance atlantique. Un animateur de la télévision Al-Jamahiriya a précisé par la suite que le siège de la télévision libyenne avait été touché par les raids, sans autre précision.
Le Monde
28.7.11
Após autárquicas de Maio, ANC ainda maioritário
Pretoria - The ANC remains South Africa’s dominant party and its 62.5% lead is a reflection that it still enjoys an overwhelming majority, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said on Thursday.
"This is because the ANC is the political home of all our people. It's a family. Having a protest does not amount to anti-ANC," he said at the Independent Electoral Commission’s results centre in Pretoria.
"When you have a fight with your family, it doesn’t mean you turn your back on them."
He said the ANC’s "family" had come in huge numbers to exercise its democratic right.
"The people can see that our policies to change their lives is taking root. They can see we are with them," he said.
He thanked IEC chairperson Brigalia Bam and chief electoral officer Pansy Tlukula for running a "brilliant, military operation which I understand is the best in the developing world."
He said the ANC would have a huge celebration on Saturday night in Gauteng to celebrate its "obvious" victory, but would not elaborate at this stage.
- SAPA
(No próximo ano o Congresso Nacional Africano, ANC, completa um século; e apesar de algumas indicações de que estará a perder peso continua a atrair mais de 60 por cento do eleitorado).
"This is because the ANC is the political home of all our people. It's a family. Having a protest does not amount to anti-ANC," he said at the Independent Electoral Commission’s results centre in Pretoria.
"When you have a fight with your family, it doesn’t mean you turn your back on them."
He said the ANC’s "family" had come in huge numbers to exercise its democratic right.
"The people can see that our policies to change their lives is taking root. They can see we are with them," he said.
He thanked IEC chairperson Brigalia Bam and chief electoral officer Pansy Tlukula for running a "brilliant, military operation which I understand is the best in the developing world."
He said the ANC would have a huge celebration on Saturday night in Gauteng to celebrate its "obvious" victory, but would not elaborate at this stage.
- SAPA
(No próximo ano o Congresso Nacional Africano, ANC, completa um século; e apesar de algumas indicações de que estará a perder peso continua a atrair mais de 60 por cento do eleitorado).
27.7.11
Palavras de Churchill sobre o Islão
How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property - either as a child, a wife, or a concubine - must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome. The River War: An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan Winston Churchill, 1899
26.7.11
Por um Estado da Palestina
The Palestinian people are calling on the world to recognise Palestine as a state. Over 120 countries have endorsed the call, but the US and Israel are opposing and key European leaders are on the fence. If we can persuade Europe to support this non violent, legitimate bid now, it could spur a dramatic shift towards peace. Click to sign the urgent petition:
In five days the UN Security Council will meet, and the world has an opportunity to embrace a new proposal that could turn the tide on decades of failed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks: UN recognition of the state of Palestine.
Over 120 nations from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America have already endorsed this initiative, but Israel's right-wing government and the US vehemently oppose it. Europe is still undecided, but a massive public push now could tip them to vote for this momentous opportunity to end 40 years of military occupation.
US-led peace initiatives have failed for decades, while Israel has confined the Palestinians to small areas, confiscated their lands and blocked their independence. This bold new initiative could be the best opportunity to jump start a resolution of the conflict, but Europe must take the lead. Let’s build a massive global call for European leaders to endorse this statehood bid now, and make clear that citizens across the world support this legitimate, non-violent, diplomatic proposal. Sign the petition and send this to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_eu/?vl
While the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are complex, most people on all sides agree that the best path to peace now is the creation of two states. But repeated peace processes have been undermined by violence on both sides, extensive Israeli settlement-building in the West Bank, and the humanitarian blockade on Gaza. The Israeli occupation has shrunk and fragmented the territory for a Palestinian state and made daily life a crippling ordeal for the Palestinian people. The UN, World Bank and IMF have all recently announced that Palestinians are ready to run an independent state, but say the main constraint to success is the Israeli occupation. Even the US President has called for an end to settlement expansion and a return to the 1967 borders with mutually agreed land-swaps, but Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has furiously refused to cooperate.
It’s time for a dramatic shift away from a futile peace process and on to a new path for progress. While the Israeli and US governments are calling the Palestinian initiative ‘unilateral’ and dangerous, in fact the world’s nations overwhelmingly support this diplomatic move away from violence. Global recognition of Palestine could crush extremists, and foster a growing non-violent Palestinian-Israeli movement in step with the democratic momentum across the region. Most importantly, it will rescue a path to a negotiated settlement, allow the Palestinians access to a variety of international institutions that can help advance Palestinian freedom, and send a clear signal to Israel’s pro-settler government that the world will no longer accept their impunity and intransigence.
For too long, Israel has undermined the hope for a Palestinian state. For too long, the US has appeased them, and for too long Europe has hidden behind the US. Right now, France, Spain, Germany, the UK and the High Representative of the EU are on the fence about Palestinian statehood. Let’s appeal to them to stand on the right side of history and support a Palestinian declaration of freedom and independence, with overwhelming support, and financial aid. Sign the urgent petition now to urge Europe to support the bid and back this move for long-term peace in Israel and Palestine:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_eu/?vl
Palestinian statehood will not bring a resolution to this intractable conflict overnight, but UN recognition will change the dynamics and will begin to unlock the door towards freedom and peace. Across Palestine, people are preparing, with hope and expectation, to reclaim a freedom their generation has never known. Let's stand with them and push European leaders to do the same, as they have stood with the people of Egypt, Syria and Libya.
With hope and determination,
Alice, Ricken, Stephanie, Morgan, Pascal, Rewan and the entire Avaaz team
In five days the UN Security Council will meet, and the world has an opportunity to embrace a new proposal that could turn the tide on decades of failed Israeli-Palestinian peace talks: UN recognition of the state of Palestine.
Over 120 nations from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America have already endorsed this initiative, but Israel's right-wing government and the US vehemently oppose it. Europe is still undecided, but a massive public push now could tip them to vote for this momentous opportunity to end 40 years of military occupation.
US-led peace initiatives have failed for decades, while Israel has confined the Palestinians to small areas, confiscated their lands and blocked their independence. This bold new initiative could be the best opportunity to jump start a resolution of the conflict, but Europe must take the lead. Let’s build a massive global call for European leaders to endorse this statehood bid now, and make clear that citizens across the world support this legitimate, non-violent, diplomatic proposal. Sign the petition and send this to everyone:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_eu/?vl
While the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are complex, most people on all sides agree that the best path to peace now is the creation of two states. But repeated peace processes have been undermined by violence on both sides, extensive Israeli settlement-building in the West Bank, and the humanitarian blockade on Gaza. The Israeli occupation has shrunk and fragmented the territory for a Palestinian state and made daily life a crippling ordeal for the Palestinian people. The UN, World Bank and IMF have all recently announced that Palestinians are ready to run an independent state, but say the main constraint to success is the Israeli occupation. Even the US President has called for an end to settlement expansion and a return to the 1967 borders with mutually agreed land-swaps, but Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has furiously refused to cooperate.
It’s time for a dramatic shift away from a futile peace process and on to a new path for progress. While the Israeli and US governments are calling the Palestinian initiative ‘unilateral’ and dangerous, in fact the world’s nations overwhelmingly support this diplomatic move away from violence. Global recognition of Palestine could crush extremists, and foster a growing non-violent Palestinian-Israeli movement in step with the democratic momentum across the region. Most importantly, it will rescue a path to a negotiated settlement, allow the Palestinians access to a variety of international institutions that can help advance Palestinian freedom, and send a clear signal to Israel’s pro-settler government that the world will no longer accept their impunity and intransigence.
For too long, Israel has undermined the hope for a Palestinian state. For too long, the US has appeased them, and for too long Europe has hidden behind the US. Right now, France, Spain, Germany, the UK and the High Representative of the EU are on the fence about Palestinian statehood. Let’s appeal to them to stand on the right side of history and support a Palestinian declaration of freedom and independence, with overwhelming support, and financial aid. Sign the urgent petition now to urge Europe to support the bid and back this move for long-term peace in Israel and Palestine:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/independence_for_palestine_eu/?vl
Palestinian statehood will not bring a resolution to this intractable conflict overnight, but UN recognition will change the dynamics and will begin to unlock the door towards freedom and peace. Across Palestine, people are preparing, with hope and expectation, to reclaim a freedom their generation has never known. Let's stand with them and push European leaders to do the same, as they have stood with the people of Egypt, Syria and Libya.
With hope and determination,
Alice, Ricken, Stephanie, Morgan, Pascal, Rewan and the entire Avaaz team
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