Child abuse takes many forms in Africa. In Mombasa, along the Kenyan coast, children as young as five can be seen in tourist resorts entertaining patrons through dancing competitions for very little pay. Clement Njoroge reports that most of these children are from poor backgrounds and the organisers of such competitions are exploiting the children.
The demise of Julius Nyerere, founding president of Tanzania, came at a crucial time when he was playing a pivotal role in facilitating the Burundi peace talks in Arusha. Our correspondent, Mary Kimani says that Nyerere's death is a major blow to Africa and particularly to the future of the talks. She adds that a dark cloud now hangs on who would best replace Nyerere in brokering peace between Burundi warring factions.
In the ongoing UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda which is trying the main players of the 1994 killings that left 800,000 people dead, a mother with her son have been charged with rape, genocide and crimes against humanity. Our correspondent, Hassan Galana reports that among the charges, the two set up a roadblock with the assistance of soldiers to abduct and kill members of the Tutsi population, abducted refugees and prosecuted them.
From Zimbabwe, Bright Chibvuri, writes about the appalling prison conditions. Zimbabwe, he writes has 40 jails now with a population of about 20,000. This is 4,000 more than the normal holding capacity of 16,000. He reports of horrible experiences of former prisoners which range from over crowding, physical and verbal abuse from prison wardens, high risk of contracting diseases and the danger of HIV/AIDS infection. This scenario has been cited by human rights groups as a case of gross human rights abuse.
Soccer has in Africa has always been seen as a dormain of men. As our correspondent, Hamilton Vohkiwa reports, the trends are now changing. The recent second women's soccer World Cup title in July which took place in the United States saw Nigeria and Ghana representing Africa. In Malawi, a soccer fiesta has gripped the country in the recent past. A women's football tournament was launched early in the year, a very rare development.
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