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Views and news on peace, justice and reconciliation in Africa

October 1996

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Editorial

Africa has been toiling hard to pay its debts amidst war and violence in the region. For how long shall this continue, and who is responsible for this state of affairs in the continent. Our correspondent who visited the US was lucky to meet a group of professionals, The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), who are advocating Africa's case at the US Congress and other international organisations. AFJN is looking at the policies of the United States that may be responsible for the injustices in Africa.

The implementation process of the 1995 Beijing Women conference resolutions seem to be trudging on a rough road in most African countries. Of the 54 African states that participated in this historic conference, only 21 of them have made a step forward in striking a gender balance. Violence against women at the expense of tradition is an element worth to be condemned than condoned. In Zambia, this state of affairs is rife. Statistics availed by the police indicate that the violence is on the increase.

While injustices against women persists in Zambia, our nearby West African state, Ghana, is nurturing it. Gender biases, prejudices and stereotype mentality have affected education and career excellence of her girls. A Science, Technology and Mathematics Education Clinic (STME) has for the last 10 years been working in a bid to develop and sustain girls' interest in science and technology.

Whereas in Malawi the main concern is over the misuse of tax revenue by some corrupt government officials. Akwete Sande reports that the tumor of corruption has been eating the landlocked country for the last 30 years of Dr. Kamuzu Banda's autocratic reign. With the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Bureau, it is hoped that the problem will be arrested. Meanwhile, clouds of doubt hover around as to whether the Bureau will be strict enough to execute its task independently or not.

And what is the state of the media in Chad? The situation is clearly and objectively analysed by our N'djamena-based journalist. The democratisation process has brought its pros and cons in the media sector.

The life style of the Catholic priest is changing in Tanzania. Self-employed priests, a case reminiscent of the experience in France and Belgium in the years between 1944-1954, are emerging. Laurenti Magesa explores the two situations.

Communication technology is on its advancement in Ghana, a show of what is to come. People of high status are associated with the mobile phones which have hit the streets.

Otherwise, the fight for justice, human rights and peace in Africa continues.

Africanews staff
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USAGE/ACKNOWLED
Contents can be freely reproduced with acknowledgements. The by-line should read: author/AFRICANEWS.
Send a copy of the reproduced article to AFRICANEWS.

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PeaceLink 1996