United States Africa Command

Public Affairs Office

29 April 2010

USAFRICOM - related news stories

TOP NEWS RELATED TO U.S. AFRICA COMMAND AND AFRICA

Sudan’s Future Is Now, U.S. Envoy Says (New York Times)

WASHINGTON — A day after Sudan‘s leader coasted to victory in a fraud-tainted
election, a senior Obama administration official defended the vote, and said the United
States should turn its attention to getting southern Sudan ready for its likely future as
an independent state.

American Corps to Serve As Teachers (New Vision)

KAMPALA, Uganda — American Peace Corps Volunteers will serve as teachers and
also support economic development activities countrywide.

Swaziland: Not Much Benefit in Preferential Trade Agreement (IRIN)

MBABANE, Swaziland — A decade after the African Growth and Opportunities Act
(AGOA), a preferential US trade agreement, became law on 18 May 2000, there are
questions over the benefits, if any, derived from the initiative.

Nigeria, Spain agree to collaborate on security in Gulf of Guinea (Afriqueavenir.org)

ABUJA, Nigeria - Nigeria and Spain have agreed to collaborate in providing security in
the Gulf of Guinea and the West Africa sub-region, Mr Angel Fernandes, the Spanish
ambassador to Nigeria, said in Abuja on Tuesday.

Nigerian leader sacks electoral head (Xinhua)

ABUJA, Nigeria - Chairman of the Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission (INEC)
Professor Maurice Iwu has been sacked, a statement from the Presidency said on
Wednesday.

Guinea PM warns of pro-Camara plot, threat to vote (Reuters)

CONAKRY, Guinea – Supporters of Guinea's sidelined military ruler are secretly
plotting his return to the country, but any actions to disrupt a planned election will be
quashed, Guinea's interim prime minister said Wednesday.

Ethiopian government says opposition wants poll violence (Reuters)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian opposition may provoke violence during the
first national elections since a disputed 2005 poll ended with street riots and the jailing
of politicians, the ruling party has said.

Madagascar's Rajoelina optimistic about outcome of Pretoria talks (Xinhua)

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar - The president of the Highest Transitional Authority
(HAT) in Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, is optimistic about the outcome of talks in
Pretoria, South Africa to end the year-long political crisis in the Indian Ocean island
country.

UN News Service Africa Briefs

Full Articles on UN Website
UN works to stamp out widespread child malnutrition in Niger
UN agency and pharmaceutical firm launch initiative to combat cancer in Africa
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UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST:

WHEN/WHERE: Tuesday through Thursday, April 27-29; Washington, D.C.

WHAT: Corporate Council on Africa: U.S.-Africa Infrastructure Conference
WHO: Top U.S. and African government officials, seasoned business executives, sector experts
and financiers convene at the U.S. Africa Infrastructure Conference.
Info: http://www.africacncl.org/(xtahp03q0g1wdb55d42z1w55)/Default.aspx

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, April 30, 2:00 p.m.; Washington, D.C.

WHAT: U.S. Institute of Peace: Creating Long-Term Peace in Cote d’Ivoire
WHO: Patrick N'gouan, The Civil Society Collective; Andre Kamate, Ivorian League of Human
Rights; Paola Piscitelli, Community of Sant'Egidio, USA; Dorina Bekoe, Moderator,
Senior Research Associate (Africa), U.S. Institute of Peace
Info: http://www.usip.org/events/creating-long-term-peace-in-cote-divoire

WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday, May 5, 1:30 p.m.; Washington, D.C.

WHAT: U.S. Institute of Peace: Planning Military Responses to Mass Atrocities
WHO: Col. John Kardos, U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute; Lawrence
Woocher, United States Institute of Peace; Sarah Sewall, MARO Project Founder and Faculty
Director, Harvard Kennedy School; Andrew Loomis, Office of the Coordinator for
Reconstruction and Stabilization, U.S. Department of State; Col. William Flavin (Ret),
Directing Professor, U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute
Info: http://www.usip.org/events/planning-military-responses-mass-atrocities

WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, May 13, 9:30 a.m.; Washington, D.C.

WHAT: U.S. Institute of Peace: Threats to Maritime Security
WHO: Donna L. Hopkins, U.S. Department of State; Bruce Averill, Ph.D., Strategic Energy
Security Solutions; Michael Berkow (invited), Altegrity Security Consulting; Robert Perito,
Moderator, U.S. Institute of Peace
Info: http://www.usip.org/events/threats-maritime-security
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FULL ARTICLE TEXT

Sudan’s Future Is Now, U.S. Envoy Says (New York Times)

WASHINGTON — A day after Sudan‘s leader coasted to victory in a fraud-tainted

election, a senior Obama administration official defended the vote, and said the United
States should turn its attention to getting southern Sudan ready for its likely future as
an independent state.

―If we don‘t redouble our efforts, and work so hard, we know what the predicted
outcome will be: it will be violence,‖ Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, the administration‘s
special envoy to Sudan, said in an interview on Tuesday.

General Gration conceded that the election, in which President Omar Hassan al-Bashir
won 68 percent of the vote, was flawed. But he said it set the stage for a political
transformation of Sudan, one that would give more of its citizens a say about their
future.

In January, the southern part of Sudan is to hold a referendum on whether to secede

from the north. That is a hazardous prospect, given that the south has much of Sudan‘s
oil reserves and that Sudan has already fought a lengthy north-south civil war that
killed two million people.

If the south votes to break away, as General Gration believes it will, the question is
whether the north will let it go without a fight. And even if it does, he said, how will the
new nation survive, with virtually no government institutions, few paved roads and
desperate poverty?

The United States must not only head off a war, General Gration said, but will also have
to pour in resources to help southern Sudan build its government and economy by July
2011, when independence would take effect. Fewer than 175 people are doing this work
there now, compared with thousands who converged on East Timor, Bosnia and other
newly established states.

―We in America are looking at a surge,‖ said General Gration, a retired fighter pilot.
―We really haven‘t had a good history of birthing nations. We sure don‘t want a failed
state or a country at war.‖

Given how stretched the United States is in Afghanistan and Iraq, he acknowledged
that there were sharp limits to what it could do on its own. He said the administration
was trying to marshal support from Sudan‘s African neighbors, as well as from Europe
and even China.
Critics of the administration say it has not spoken out forcefully enough against Mr.
Bashir, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes
against humanity, stemming from what the court called his ―essential role‖ in the
bloodshed in the western Darfur region.

General Gration pre-emptively defended the elections in Sudan, saying they would be
as ―free and fair as possible.‖ Even now, he points out that 16 million people registered
to vote, 16,000 people ran for office and voters were allowed for the first time to elect
members of a national assembly.

―We sort of focused on the Bashir election, and sort of knew the outcome, and missed
the bigger story,‖ he said. ―We were not supporting an outcome or a party, but we were
supporting the process.‖

Analysts said the administration‘s strategy, which mixes incentives and pressure,
allowed Mr. Bashir‘s government to flout international agreements to allow a free press
and the right of free assembly.

Many worry that Mr. Bashir will feel emboldened to subvert the referendum or even
start a war. Some analysts said the United States must be clear about what it would not
tolerate.

―We need to set outer limits on what‘s acceptable in terms of violence against civilians,‖
said Andrew Natsios, an envoy to Sudan during the Bush administration. ―If the north
attacks the south or attempts to take over the oil fields, we should have a response and
it should not be rhetorical.‖

Advocacy groups have urged Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton or the United
Nations ambassador, Susan E. Rice, to take control of Sudan policy. On Monday, six
groups took out an advertisement in The Washington Post, saying the administration‘s
policy was ―stalemated.‖

―The sooner Secretary Clinton says, ‗This is something I need to do on my watch,‘ the
more she‘s going to be able to demand answers,‖ said John Norris, executive director of
Enough, an anti-genocide project.

General Gration said he had briefed both Mrs. Clinton and President Obama about
Sudan‘s elections in sessions last week. He is headed to Europe and Africa to drum up
support among allies and Sudan‘s neighbors. ―I don‘t think we can avoid having a
leadership role,‖ he said.
But General Gration rejected the suggestion that the United States ―owns‖ the Sudan
problem. ―The problem is so big that it‘s not an American problem,‖ he said. ―It‘s a
global problem.‖
--------------------
American Corps to Serve As Teachers (New Vision)

KAMPALA, Uganda — American Peace Corps Volunteers will serve as teachers and
also support economic development activities countrywide.

The 29-member group was welcomed by the US ambassador, Jerry Lanier, at his
residence in Kololo, a Kampala suburb, yesterday.

Lanier said the volunteers aim at carrying out sustainable development activities and
fostering friendship between the Americans and the Ugandans.

"They are to serve as facilitators in different primary teachers' training institutions and
as teachers of science subjects in secondary schools," Lanier said.
--------------------
Swaziland: Not Much Benefit in Preferential Trade Agreement (IRIN)

MBABANE, Swaziland — A decade after the African Growth and Opportunities Act
(AGOA), a preferential US trade agreement, became law on 18 May 2000, there are
questions over the benefits, if any, derived from the initiative.

AGOA was touted by the US government as offering "tangible incentives for African
countries to continue their efforts to open their economies and build free markets"; in
return, selected countries could access US markets without restrictive quotas or import
taxes.

Neither Swaziland nor Lesotho had a textile sector before the advent of AGOA, but the
quality of the jobs it created, and the labour conditions and working environment, are
being examined by local as well as US authorities.

"We ask: who is the beneficiary of the textile factories that have opened here since
AGOA?" said Comfort Gina, secretary general of the Swaziland Federation of Trade
Unions (SFTU), an umbrella body. "Jobs were created, but if you take the basic income
versus expenditures of a worker, basics like transport, food and accommodation exceed
income."

The average monthly wage for a textile factory worker is about US$117, according SFTU
data. "Workers are paid below the taxable income level, so the national economy at
large isn't benefiting either," he told IRIN.
The US Department of Commerce said the value of Swaziland's AGOA exports
increased nearly threefold, from $65 million in 2001 to a peak of $199 million in 2005;
Lesotho's exports reached $140 million in 2001 and peaked at $467 million in 2004.

Now the fortunes of both these landlocked countries have declined. By 2007
Swaziland's AGOA exports were only $141 million, and by 2009 the peak amount had
almost halved to $101 million. Lesotho mirrored the trend: AGOA exports were at $339
million in 2008, but dropped to $227 million in 2009, about half the peak level.

During the peak period of Swaziland's AGOA exports, employee numbers were double
the current figure - about 15,000 Swazis, mostly women, are employed in garment
factories financed by Taiwanese investors and operated by managers from mainland
China.

A strengthening of the local currency - the Lilangeni, which is pegged to the South
African rand - combined with the global economic slowdown, resulted in a steep
decline in orders.

Factories have closed, some of which were built at government expense and rented at
very low cost to induce businesses to set up in the country. Worker housing was not
built, and more often than not employees built informal housing as close to their
workplaces as possible.

Felicia Dlamini, a developmental economist based in the capital, Mbabane, told IRIN:
"From the standpoint that AGOA brought jobs then, yes, it has been a success, though
half the jobs are gone now; but we have to look at the quality of the jobs, and other
factors that have impacted on the quality of people's lives."

Zodwa Mavimbela, Assistant Commissioner for Verifying Audits at the Ministry of

Finance, which monitors company tax compliance, commented: "Every country wants
its workers to pay taxes - that's what we hoped when the AGOA factories arrived. Taxes
pay for social programmes, but the workers are paid too little to pay much tax, and the
companies are unprofitable and don't pay tax."

Poor labour conditions

Gladys, 26, who declined to give her last name, is one of six women who share a room
within walking distance of a factory in Matsapha, an industrial estate about five
kilometres west of Swaziland's commercial city, Manzini.

They sleep in shifts, heat water on a gas stove, and bathe in a metal tub; their meals
usually consist of bread, maize-meal porridge and vegetables - meat is a rarity.
"All of us have to support children and families. Most of us are from the rural areas - we
were driven from there by the poverty and drought," said Gladys, a mother of two who
works as a seamstress at the factory.

There is not a single factory that has a collective bargaining agreement with a workers
union

"That is why we all have boyfriends - even the married girls - because we need gifts
from them to buy clothes and pay for our children's school needs," she said.

Swaziland is ruled by sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch, King Mswati III, and
democratic credentials weigh heavily in determining eligibility for AGOA, but because
the country had begun work on democratic reforms, such as drawing up a new
constitution, it just made the cut.

Labour law concerns were raised by the US Deputy Trade Representative, Ambassador
Demetrios Marantis, at a meeting with government officials in February 2010. A US
government official, who declined to be identified, told IRIN that if Swaziland did not
improve its labour conditions it could lose its AGOA status.

"There is not a single factory that has a collective bargaining agreement with a workers
union. On average, union representation at the factories is 30 percent - far below the 50
percent union membership needed for bargaining power," said SFTU's Gina.

"Employers will give the appearance of cooperating with the union when AGOA
inspectors come around, but they are doing everything they can to discourage
unionization."

In March, Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini acknowledged the concerns over "the rate of
progress by Swaziland in the implementation of international labour agreements, and
in particular the effectiveness of monitoring working conditions, and the freedom to
organize under the laws of Swaziland."
--------------------
Nigeria, Spain agree to collaborate on security in Gulf of Guinea (Afriqueavenir.org)

ABUJA, Nigeria - Nigeria and Spain have agreed to collaborate in providing security in
the Gulf of Guinea and the West Africa sub-region, Mr Angel Fernandes, the Spanish
ambassador to Nigeria, said in Abuja on Tuesday.

Fernannades, who made a courtesy call on Nigeria‘s Minister of Defence, Mr

Adetokunbo Kayode, said : ―We are ready to collaborate with Nigeria in the area of
security in the Gulf of Guinea because we know that there is a specific plan drawn up
by Nigeria to reinforce the security situation in the area.‘‘
―Spain is committed to collaborating with the Nigerian authorities to participate in the
security of the Gulf of Guinea and in the security of the West Africa sub-region in
general,‘‘ he said.

Ambassador Fernandes said the visit by the Spanish Prime Minister to Nigeria and the
ECOWAS Commission in June 2009 was a demonstration of his country‘s commitment
to promoting relations with Nigeria in particular and the sub-region in general.

Responding, Kayode said Nigeria and Spain have had very cordial and fruitful
relations.

―We have done very well for ourselves in the areas of trade and industry and this has
benefited both countries.

―Your coming here is very significant because you came at a time we are reviewing our
internal and international activities in the defence sector.

―As you know, it is on record that we stand tall in the area of peace-keeping. We have
committed resources, men and materials and we are very proud of our record in this
area,‘‘ he said.

Kayode said Nigeria was also involved in making and keeping the peace in ECOWAS
states, adding that the peace and security of the world, including the Gulf of Guinea,
was the business of all.

―Although the Gulf of Guinea is at Nigeria‘s backyard, its security is the business of the
entire world.

―We are happy that you have underscored the importance of the Gulf of Guinea and
offered the support and interest of your country in providing security in the area and
other parts of the world,‘‘ he said.
--------------------
Nigerian leader sacks electoral head (Xinhua)

ABUJA, Nigeria - Chairman of the Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission (INEC)

Professor Maurice Iwu has been sacked, a statement from the Presidency said on
Wednesday.

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has directed him to proceed on pre-terminal leave,
spokesman to the acting leader Ima Niboro said in a statement to reporters.
Iwu has also been directed to hand over to the most senior National Commissioner
pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

The directive is with immediate effect.

Iwu's tenure expires on June 13, 2010.

The sack has brought to an end all the agitations for his removal and also his lobby to
secure a second term.

The statement said t the acting president thanked the INEC chairman for his service to
the nation.

"The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has directed the Chairman of the
Independent Electoral Commission ( INEC) Professor Maurice Iwu to proceed on pre-
disengagement leave with immediate effect," said the statement..

"The Acting President's directive is in consonance with Section 155(1) (c), which
stipulates that the Chairman and members of the Independent Electoral Commission
shall hold office for a period of five years," it added.

"Professor Iwu's tenure expires on 13th June, 2010, and he has also been directed to
hand over to the most senior National Commissioner, who shall oversee the activities of
the commission pending the appointment of a substantive chairman," the statement
said.

The acting President thanked the out-going chairman of INEC for his service to the
nation and wished him success in his future endeavors, it added.

Before the announcement of his removal, Nigerians have been demanding for Iwu's
removal from the office ahead of next year's general elections.

He has been accused for the flaws in the 2007 polls which brought ailing Nigerian
President Umaru Yar' Adua and the acting President to power.

The 2007 polls were marred by ballot-stuffing and voter intimidation that local and
international observers said they were not credible.

However, Jonathan has made his intention known during his recent visit to the United
States that he would not hesitate to inject fresh blood into the commission to ensure
credible elections in 2011.
On Feb. 21 in Abuja, Jonathan said he was committed to free and fair elections in the
2011.

Jonatha gave the assurance when he received visiting former U. S. president George W.
Bush in Abuja.

The Nigerian federal government would work towards ensuring that the electoral
process is transparent and reflect the wishes of Nigerians, he said.

"I can assure you that come 2011; Nigeria's elections will be credible," Jonathan told
Bush.
--------------------
Guinea PM warns of pro-Camara plot, threat to vote (Reuters)

CONAKRY, Guinea – Supporters of Guinea's sidelined military ruler are secretly

plotting his return to the country, but any actions to disrupt a planned election will be
quashed, Guinea's interim prime minister said Wednesday.

Jean Marie Dore also said that the government was ready for voting on June 27, as
planned, but it was up to the election commission to "maintain or change the date,"
which analysts say could be threatened by logistical and technical delays.

Supporters of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who ran the world's top bauxite exporter
until he went abroad for medical treatment after he was shot in December, have
threatened to disrupt the election in parts of the country unless Camara returns from
convalescence in nearby Burkina Faso.

"There are supporters of the former head of the (junta) who are holding secret meetings
planning his return. I warn them -- any actions that target the elections will be dealt
with very strongly," Prime Minister Jean Marie Dore told reporters.

Many fear a return by Camara risks disrupting efforts to stabilize the country. Guinea is
now run by Camara's deputy, General Sekouba Konate, who has appointed an interim
prime minister and promised a return to civilian rule.

As well as facing protests by pro-Camara youth in his native Forestiere region earlier
this month, Konate arrested about a dozen pro-Camara officers suspected of fomenting
instability.

Camara's seizure of power in a December 2008 coup was initially popular in the poor
West African nation. But he became increasingly unpopular due to his erratic behavior,
delays in holding elections and widespread abuses by the military.
Konate took over as interim head of the country in a January deal that also saw civilian
opposition and union leaders brought in to oversee the restoration of democracy.

Before the election can take place, Guinea's new constitution, which formally introduces
the permanent post of a prime minister, must be approved.

Political leaders are hoping the document will be approved by decree, not a
referendum, so that voting is not delayed.

But some analysts fear a delay anyway since, on top of threats of disruption by
Camara's supporters, the election commission must finalize voter lists and organize
logistics.
--------------------
Ethiopian government says opposition wants poll violence (Reuters)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The Ethiopian opposition may provoke violence during the
first national elections since a disputed 2005 poll ended with street riots and the jailing
of politicians, the ruling party has said.

The government said in 2005 that the violence was planned to force an unconstitutional
change after a vote in which both sides claimed victory. Security forces killed about 200
people on the streets and the top opposition leaders were imprisoned.

The ruling party said late on Tuesday that Beyene Petros, leader of the main opposition
coalition Medrek, told thousands of supporters it was possible to oust the government
violently.

"He said that if the public is not happy with a government they can create some kind of
problem, can protest and can bring down the government without elections," ruling
Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) spokesman, Sekuture
Getachew, told Reuters late on Tuesday.

"We can only guess they are inclining toward some kind of violent activities," said
Sekuture.

Beyene called the allegations "outrageous" and said his speech only mentioned
constitutional means of removing governments, such as votes of no confidence.

"Violence was not implied at all in my argument," Beyene told Reuters. "I was just
talking about normal democratic process. They've been trying to find something in an
effort to incriminate us."

POSSIBLE PROSECUTIONS
The political climate in sub-Saharan Africa's second most populous country is closely
watched by foreign investors showing interest in oil and gas exploration and large-scale
farming.

Analysts say the government is keen to avoid a repeat of the 2005 violence and is closely
watching the language opposition leaders use in their speeches.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is expected to win the May 23 poll comfortably. The
opposition says this is because their candidates are harassed and people in remote parts
of the country are offered incentives to vote for the EPRDF.

The government says the opposition is trying to discredit the poll.

Meles has agreed an electoral code of conduct with three parliamentary opposition
parties. Medrek refused to sign, saying issues including reform of the electoral board
were left out.

Meles has warned that politicians who violate the code of conduct may be prosecuted
after the elections for contravening the country's constitution.

"Any statements that propagate violence and illegal ways of changing government are
banned by the code of conduct," Sekuture said.

Meles was hailed as part of a new generation of African leaders in the 1990s, but rights
groups have increasingly criticized the former rebel for cracking down on opposition.
--------------------
Madagascar's Rajoelina optimistic about outcome of Pretoria talks (Xinhua)

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar - The president of the Highest Transitional Authority

(HAT) in Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, is optimistic about the outcome of talks in
Pretoria, South Africa to end the year-long political crisis in the Indian Ocean island
country.

Rajoelina left for South Africa on Tuesday to meet with former president Marc
Ravalomanana the next day on a new peace deal after the agreements reached last year
failed.

The 36-year-old HAT leader did not hide his optimism regarding the outcome of the
meeting before his departure.
"Madagascan people are getting impatient. We shall make the final decisions in
Pretoria. We should no longer elongate the transition," Rajoelina declared at the
Antananarivo international airport.

"I hope that we shall no longer take our battles to the streets and continue with endless
political squabbles and futile discussions on how to share power," he added.

The HAT president reaffirmed that "an accord" which gives a clear roadmap on how to
end the crisis had already been agreed upon by the two main protagonists.
--------------------
UN News Service Africa Briefs
Full Articles on UN Website

UN works to stamp out widespread child malnutrition in Niger

28 April – The United Nations has joined forces with authorities in Niger to fight
malnutrition among children under the age of two – often the most vulnerable to food
shortages – in the West African nation, where a food crisis has affected more than half
of its 14 million-strong population.

UN agency and pharmaceutical firm launch initiative to combat cancer in Africa

28 April – The United Nations atomic energy agency and the pharmaceutical firm
Roche today launched an initiative to help combat a growing cancer epidemic in sub-
Saharan Africa.