The massive bomb- blast that ravaged Nairobi city centre, Kenya, on
the morning of August 7 is these days reported by all international
media. In our next issue we plan to report some inside stories about
it.
Is peace ever going to prevail in the Sudan? This is the concern of
many who have the interest of the Sudan at heart. The first article
in this issue is an exclusive interview with Kerubino Bol, a Dinka and
a career soldier who rose to the rank of major general. After four
years of collaboration with the government, he has defected to the
mainstream SPLA. He says unity among the southern Sudanese is the
most effective way to achieve lasting peace.
On July 14 SPLA declared a unilateral cease-fire limited to the Bahr
al-Ghazal area. The following day, July 15, the government of
Khartoum reciprocated. The motive of the ceasefire is reported to be
humanitarian considerations to allow aid agencies ferry vital food
across to a starving population in Bahr-al-Ghazal, the province worst
hit by the famine where 700,000 people are short of food. Our
correspondent, Brian Adeba, raises pertinent questions with regard to
the cease-fire.
In south Africa, a substantial gap has developed between the Africa
National Congress (ANC) party and its constituents. James Brew
reports that as an organisation, ANC has really been losing grassroots
participation in quite a remarkable way. Consequently, violence has
erupted in the volatile Kwazulu-Natal province after a long period of
tension. This comes at a crucial time when President Mandela, who is
80, plans to retire with his new wife, Graca Machel and Mr Thambo
Mbeki has already taken over as party leader and will become the
country's second black President.
The economic activities; agriculture and hydro-electricity, fisheries
development, water transport, water supply and recreation along Lake
Victoria are under a great threat posed by the water hyacinth weed.
Boat merchants are no longer operating while marine transport between
east African countries has gone down tremendously. About 40
commercial private cargo vessels have pulled out leaving thousands
jobless. Efforts to get rid of the weed have so far been futile.
Beatrice Akinyi reports.
Stewart Musiwa takes us to Zambabwe narrating the plight of albinos.
He says they cannot get a job, let alone a marriage partner. The
society does not accept them because they are white. However with the
formation of the Zimbabwe Albino Association (SIMAS), there is hope
that society will learn to accept albinos as normal human beings. Dr
John Mukumbe, a university lecturer and founder and President of ZIMAS
still suffers discrimination from among his among his university peers
despite his social standing.
On July 27, six ladies from West Africa met in Accra, Ghana. They had
a common goal Their mission won the admiration of the United Nation
as well as the Organisation for African Unity. Who are they and what
is it that brought them together? Samuel Sarpong reports.
Africanews staff
