United States Africa Command

Public Affairs Office

4 January 2011

USAFRICOM - related news stories

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

Obama to increase engagement with Africa in 2011 (Associated Press)

(Pan Africa) President Barack Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his
outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is
personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests.

U.S. Army Africa supports military medical response development in Accra, Ghana
(US Army Africa)
(Ghana) Two soldiers from the Department of Combat Medic Training engaged in four
days of disaster response learning with about 20 uniformed and civilian members of the
Ghanaian military Nov. 1-5.

U.S. official: Offer to Gbagbo to come to U.S. 'rapidly closing' (CNN)

(Ivory Coast) A senior administration official says an offer for self-declared Ivory Coast
President Laurent Gbagbo to step down and come to the United States still is open but
Gbagbo is "digging in."

African Leaders Try Again to End Ivory Coast Standoff (New York Times)
(Ivory Coast) Leaders of four African states traveled to Ivory Coast on Monday in a
second attempt in less than a week to persuade Laurent Gbagbo, who was defeated in
the country’s November election, to leave office peacefully or face possible removal by
force.

African Union: Will Ivory Coast, Kenya and Zimbabwe Provide Lessons On
Handling Politics Democratically? (The Zimbabwe Telegraph)
(Ivory Coast) The stand of the ECOWAS regional council on Ivory Coast, this time,
deserves support from Africa and world progressive bodies.

US 'optimistic' ahead of Sudan referendum (AFP)

(Sudan) The United States is "optimistic" about the staging of an independence
referendum in southern Sudan this weekend, the US State Department said Monday.

Nigerian leader to name 'terrorism' advisor after attacks (AFP)

(Nigeria) Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is to tighten security and name a
special advisor on terrorism after a week of bomb blasts that claimed dozens of lives,
his office said on Monday.

Cash-driven piracy to rise in Nigeria's oil delta: analysts (AFP)

(Nigeria) Cash-driven piracy and militant attacks against oil installations are likely to
increase this year in Nigeria's oil delta after the April elections, private maritime risk
analysts warned Monday.

DR Congo moots one-round election 'to cut costs, tensions' (AFP)

(Democratic Republic of Congo) The Democratic Republic of Congo government
proposed Monday that elections due in November be held in one round to cut costs and
any flare in tensions as seen in other African countries.

80 African migrants feared drowned off Yemen coast (CNN)

(Pan Africa) At least 80 African migrants were feared drowned Monday after their
boats capsized off the coast of Yemen, authorities there reported.

UN News Service Africa Briefs

Full Articles on UN Website
 Ban reaffirms UN's unwavering support for presidential poll result in Côte
d'Ivoire
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST:

WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, January 6, 2011; Brookings Institution

WHAT: Waging Peace in Sudan: The Inside Story of the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement and the Prospects for Sudan’s Future
WHO: Hilde F. Johnson, author and former Minister of International Development of
Norway; Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ); Gayle Smith, National Security Council senior
director for development and democracy; Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow Rich
Williamson
Info: https://www.cvent.com/EVENTS/Register/IdentityConfirmation.aspx?
e=998af087-00b2-4e56-a2b7-9e9b46877662

WHEN/WHERE: Tuesday and Wednesday, February 8-9, 2011; National Defense

Industrial Association, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC
WHAT: Defense, Diplomacy, and Development: Translating Policy into Operational
Capability
WHO: Keynote Speakers include ADM Michael Mullen, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs
of Staff; BG Simon Hutchinson, GBR, Deputy Commander, NATO Special Operations
Forces Headquarters; ADM Eric T. Olson, USN, Commander, U.S. Special Operations
Command; Gen Norton A. Schwartz, USAF, Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force
Info: http://www.ndia.org/meetings/1880/Pages/default.aspx
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FULL ARTICLE TEXT

Obama to increase engagement with Africa in 2011 (Associated Press)

HONOLULU — President Barack Obama is quietly but strategically stepping up his

outreach to Africa, using this year to increase his engagement with a continent that is
personally meaningful to him and important to U.S. interests.

Expectations in Africa spiked after the election of an American president with a Kenyan
father. But midway through his term, Obama's agenda for Africa has taken a backseat
to other foreign policy goals, such as winding down the Iraq war, fighting the Taliban in
Afghanistan and resetting relations with Russia.

Obama aides believe those issues are now on more solid footing, allowing the president
to expand his international agenda. He will focus in Africa on good governance and
supporting nations with strong democratic institutions.

Obama delivered that message on his only trip to Africa since taking office, an
overnight stop in Ghana in 2009, where he was mobbed by cheering crowds. In a blunt
speech before the Ghanaian parliament, Obama said democracy is the key to Africa's
long-term development.

"That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long,"
Obama said. "That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a
responsibility that can only be met by Africans."

The White House says Obama will travel to Africa again and the political calendar
means the trip will almost certainly happen this year, before Obama has to spend more
time on his re-election bid. No decision has been made on which countries Obama will
visit, but deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said stops will reflect positive
democratic models.

The administration is monitoring more than 30 elections expected across Africa this
year, including critical contests in Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

"The U.S. is watching and we're weighing in," Rhodes said.

John Campbell, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a former U.S.
ambassador to Nigeria, said the different elections give the Obama administration the
opportunity to establish clear policies.

The administration "should be less willing to cut slack when those elections are less
than free, fair and credible," Campbell said.
The White House can send that message right now as it deals with the disputed election
in Ivory Coast and an upcoming independence referendum in Sudan, which could split
Africa's largest country in two.

Rhodes said the president has invested significant "diplomatic capital" on Sudan,
mentioning the referendum in nearly all of his conversations with the presidents of
Russia and China, two countries which could wield influence over that Sudan's
government.

When Obama stopped in at a White House meeting last month of his national security
advisers and United Nations ambassadors, the first topic he broached was Sudan, not
Iran or North Korea. And as lawmakers on Capitol Hill neared the December vote on a
new nuclear treaty with Russia, Obama called southern Sudan leader Salva Kiir by
telephone to offer support for the referendum.

White House officials believe the postelection standoff in Ivory Coast could be the
model for Obama's stepped-up engagement in Africa.

The president tried to call incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo twice last month, from
Air Force One as Obama returned from Afghanistan and then a week later. Neither call
reached Gbagbo; administration officials believe the Ivorian leader sought to avoid
contact. So Obama wrote Gbagbo a letter, offering him an international role if he
stopped clinging to power and stepped down.

But Obama also made clear that the longer Gbagbo holds on, and the more complicit he
becomes in violence across the country, the more limited his options become, said a
senior administration official. The official insisted on anonymity to speak about
administration strategy.

Human rights groups have accused Gbagbo's security forces of abducting and killing
hundreds of political opponents. The U.N. says it also has been barred entry from two
suspected mass graves.

Rhodes said the White House understands that U.S. involvement in African politics can
be viewed as meddling. But he said Obama can speak to African leaders with a unique
level of candor, reflecting his personal connection to Africa and that his father and other
family members have been affected by the corruption that plagues many countries
there.

Officials also see increased political stability in Africa as good for long-term U.S.
interests — a way to stem the growth of terrorism in east Africa and counterbalance
China's growing presence on the continent.
The U.S. was caught off guard during the 2009 climate summit in Copenhagen when
several African countries voted with China and not the U.S., the administration official
said. The official said the administration must persuade African nations that their
interests are better served by aligning with the U.S.
------------------
U.S. Army Africa supports military medical response development in Accra, Ghana
(US Army Africa)

VICENZA, Italy — Two soldiers from the Department of Combat Medic Training
engaged in four days of disaster response learning with about 20 uniformed and
civilian members of the Ghanaian military Nov. 1-5.

Sgt. Maj. Tony Williams and Sgt. 1st Class Israel Salinas of the 232nd Medical Battalion,
stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, joined the exchange, which took place at the 37th
Military Hospital in Accra.

The conceptual framework of military disaster response focused on response

operations; principles of emergency management; planning, mitigation and recovery;
command center operations; and the importance of surge capability, Williams said.

“The Ghanaian army soldiers and civilians were receptive and excited about the
information being delivered,” he said.

“This was my unit’s first encounter with the Ghanaian Army,” Williams said. “There
may be future encounters, but I do not know when. There are many similar approaches
to handling tragedies, such as tsunamis, flooding or earthquake. We discussed those
events in detail and came up with specific solution sets to handle those problems.”

The lessons learned, and the solutions studied, apply to all militaries around the world
that work for the benefit of their societies, said Williams.

“Having dedicated emergency managers and leadership support are keys to an

effective emergency management program. Coordination and planning for the
unexpected are key to minimize a tragic situation,” he said.

“This successful military-to-military traveling contact team event illustrates the

important partnerships between U.S. Army Africa and MEDCOM in building African
partner nation capabilities and capacity,” said Maj. Lee Clark, director of USARAF
medical Theater Security Cooperation.
------------------
U.S. official: Offer to Gbagbo to come to U.S. 'rapidly closing' (CNN)
A senior administration official says an offer for self-declared Ivory Coast President
Laurent Gbagbo to step down and come to the United States still is open but Gbagbo is
"digging in."

The official, who spoke on background because of the diplomatic sensitivity of the
issue, said "If President Gbagbo is looking for a dignified exit we remain open to help
him with that, but there's no indication that he's prepared to leave at this point."

The official said Gbagbo, who was defeated in an election but refuses to cede power,
has ignored efforts by the U.S. to communicate. "He has declined to see our
ambassador," the official said, "He has declined to accept phone calls. But we have
provided written communication. He is aware."

Gbagbo, he said, owns a number of properties both in the region and elsewhere "so he's
got no shortage of possible destinations."

"A number of countries have offered him a place to live," the official added, "but the
issue is, he refuses to leave."

Gbagbo has relatives in Atlanta, this official confirmed.

"We want to see him leave," the official said. "If he wishes to come (to the United States)
we, of course, would entertain that as a means of resolving the current situation, but
any opportunity to do that is an opportunity that is rapidly closing because of what's
happening on the ground and every indication we have is, at this point, he's digging
in."
------------------
African Leaders Try Again to End Ivory Coast Standoff (New York Times)

Leaders of four African states traveled to Ivory Coast on Monday in a second attempt in
less than a week to persuade Laurent Gbagbo, who was defeated in the country’s
November election, to leave office peacefully or face possible removal by force.

But even before many of the delegations had arrived in Abidjan, a spokesman for Mr.
Gbagbo said he would not agree to cede power to his rival, Alassane Ouattara, news
agencies reported.

Mr. Ouattara, who remained barricaded in a hotel under the protection of United
Nations peacekeeping troops, won the presidential election on Nov. 28, but Mr. Gbagbo
has brushed aside the result and continues to be supported by the army and a portion
of the population.

The United Nations, the European Union, the United States, the African Union and the
West African regional grouping known as Ecowas have all declared that Mr. Gbagbo
must step down — a rare example of African and international solidarity. West African
nations have threatened to use military force to oust him if he refuses to leave.

On Monday, three West African presidents — Boni Yayi of Benin, Ernest Bai Koroma of
Sierra Leone and Pedro Pires of Cape Verde — and the prime minister of Kenya, Raila
Odinga, acting as a special envoy of the African Union, arrived in Abidjan, the principal
city of Ivory Coast. The leaders met in the presidential palace with a smiling Mr.
Gbagbo for about two hours before heading to a meeting with Mr. Ouattara, the Web
site Jeune Afrique reported.

The African leaders were set to propose an amnesty deal to Mr. Gbagbo if he would
agree to leave power, according to both The Associated Press and the BBC, but there
was no immediate word on the outcome of the talks.

Officials have approached Mr. Gbagbo’s representatives since early December about
finding an alternative position, perhaps in an international organization, and possibly
relocating to Europe or even the United States, American officials said Friday.

Yet Mr. Gbagbo has remained defiant in the face of mounting international pressure,
and it appeared unlikely that the African delegation would succeed in its goal on
Monday after having failed in a first attempt last week. After that meeting, the leaders
of Ecowas, as the Economic Community of West African States is known, agreed to
hold further talks with Mr. Gbagbo. At the same time, their defense chiefs met in
Nigeria to discuss possible military deployments, according to a Western diplomat
there.

According to the United Nations, at least 173 people have been killed in post-election
violence in Ivory Coast, and there are fears of a renewed civil war in the country. The
International Criminal Court has warned Mr. Gbagbo over what the United Nations
calls “massive” human rights violations, and he is facing a steady array of sanctions and
financial restrictions as he clings to power.

With the political standoff stretching on, the Ivory Coast government missed an interest
payment of roughly $30 million on its $2.3 billion Eurobond debt on Friday, Reuters
reported, though there is a grace period of 30 days before the government is considered
to be in default on the payment. Ivory Coast is the world’s largest producer of cocoa.

Mr. Gbagbo’s refusal to budge has placed the burden of action on the international
community, which risks a loss of credibility if it allows Mr. Gbagbo to remain in place.

“We are not going to give up,” Mr. Gbagbo said in an end-of-year address on Friday,
mocking the calls for him to step aside. “Our greatest duty to our country is to defend it
from foreign attack.”
------------------
African Union: Will Ivory Coast, Kenya and Zimbabwe Provide Lessons On
Handling Politics Democratically? (The Zimbabwe Telegraph)

ZIMBABWE – HARARE – An attempt to replace people power with bureaucratic

power typifies the Kenya and Zimbabwe political agreements that grew from
diplomatic brokerage aided by external expertise of African personalities eminently
regarded internationally.

The political dynamics on the agreements, however, lacked human empathy even
though they displayed semblance portrayal of an impression that the basis on which
they were drawn, was, the alleviation of human suffering.

Human suffering, exclusively from disregard of rule of law by dictators, has

degenerated indicative that good governance is not a game of money exchange by the
rich to get richer at the expense of masses suffering poverty consistently.

On face value, it appears as through Kenya and Zimbabwe are politically on the road to
recovery. Hard realities on the ground are that human elimination, as a way to remove
threat to leadership, has run the order of the day in these countries. Other equally
poverty stricken African nations have daily entrenched corruption with a few smart
personalities legitimizing the acts with support from emerging “rich” aspirant nation of
China.

America, as usual, reneges and carries through no agreement to conclusion with most of
the African nations. Apart from money she dishes generously and for purposes of
gaining interests than friends, United States of America has became the most
opportunistic huge nation facing serious demise from within.

Her fight with “simple working aliens”, as they call foreign people; makes America the
home of the unfriendly that pick small fights with both individuals and nations without
thinking of the future implications of these small wars.

America would have supported Gbagbo in the Ivory Coast were it not for the ECOWAS
bloc which stood for democracy as per election results than preference for long standing
oppressor restoration. The suppression of people voice and their choice imposes control
on country’s politics, through dictator leadership who force their stay in power in total
disregard of popular vote.

Historically the role of neighbouring countries has been to watch and sympathize with
the dictator than with the people or emerging leadership.

Unlike the ECOWAS regional grouping that have broken the silent protocol in support
of the people’s choice and new leadership in Ivory Coast, SADC has gone through
endless debate on Zimbabwe, failing to resolve anything. It becomes quite clear that
leadership ingenuity on issues and problems on the continent will either destroy or
build Africa politically and economically.

The political decisive position on the African continent for constitutional change
through a democratic election, no doubt opens a new page to the dispensation of power
and governance for the future. It sends shivers through the spine of political dictators,
because it means the end of dictatorial survival through corruption, rigging and
violence.

No, wonder why today America gropes for a new face to cultivate politics of friendship
than basing her foreign policy on interest of oil and energy. Nevertheless, as a system,
America clearly favours dealing with old guards in Africa, dating back to the 1960s and
the subsequent political involvement of the CIA in diplomacy of policing the world.

Africa has been yielding to American influence due to occasional debt writing give-offs
and the role of the IMF which materially result to nothing but smart politics of trading
negatively in the best interest of America.

The stand of the ECOWAS regional council on Ivory Coast, this time, deserves support
from Africa and world progressive bodies. Perhaps this should signal the departure of
CIA influence on African politics even though it is lamentable that as Africa makes an
attempt to exit American influence, she is economically hooked to the Chinese influence
which is a betrayal to the none alignment letter and spirit.

With poor human rights record and huge sums of money made from poverty-stricken
workforce, China does not offer best alternative for democratic political rights and
processes. Unfortunately, Africa sometimes uses her emotions more than her brains to
score a point, short term, at the expense of sovereignty, independence and freedom of
the people.

Again, it points us to grave disregard of masses, which die of poverty and are
constantly on the move from instability and political hunt of tyrannical leadership.

Typical of the type and style of tyranny, is what west Africa has just gone through on 28
November 2010 when Laurent Gbagbo lost to Alassane Quattara but stuck to his guns
and refused defeat, similar to what Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe; and Mwayi Kibaki of
Kenya did in the 2000s.

Africa remains in a gloom political picture, apart from what happened and is unfolding
in the countries of Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Egypt where American influence is
rated as disastrous, but still very huge on fiscal and policy decisions.
The involvement of the United Nation (UN) in Ivory Coast hopefully should prevail
and signal some end to dictators declaring themselves heroes without account to the
electorate.

The role of SADC in Zimbabwe should be in question more now that ECOWAS stands
against self-imposition of leadership on people’s choice in Ivory Coast.

How though does Africa account for her sending into Ivory Coast Thabo Mbeki to
mould another failing plan as buy time for Gbagbo to rise to power, as the case of
Mugabe in Zimbabwe? ECOWAS and United Nations (UN) are sufficient peace brokers
to deal with Gbagbo.

Africa Union (AU) needs trust ECOWAS the same way they have trusted South Africa
on Zimbabwe; even though it is unequal comparison in term of leadership resolve we
see in ECOWAS to SADC lethargy and indecision.

Media has secretly alluded to Congo, Angola and Zimbabwe sending supportive
soldiers to Gbagbo, which should point us to fracture sources in African politics,
namely, dictators who do not trust change coming through the ballot box, but are stuck
to power preservation through violence and force of the gun.

SADC should take a position in principle on SADC to make issues clear for the African
Union (AU) who obviously should be groping for a right decision.

African progressive states need fearlessly say their mind now in order that the United
Nations (UN) will increase her involvement in Ivory Coast and remain supportive of
what majority people of Ivory Coast prefer.

Failure to resolve Ivory Coast abortion on democracy will spell disaster on any efforts;
both in Kenya and Zimbabwe, the AU embarked on. In fact, Mugabe and Tsvangirai of
Zimbabwe are already at war of words, which soon will translate into Zanu-pf led
violence prepaying victory on any elections, which are scheduled for Zimbabwe even if
with or without world supervision.
------------------
US 'optimistic' ahead of Sudan referendum (AFP)

WASHINGTON – The United States is "optimistic" about the staging of an

independence referendum in southern Sudan this weekend, the US State Department
said Monday.

"We believe the right signals are being sent both in the north and south in terms of the
upcoming referendum and respecting the results," State Department spokesman Philip
Crowley said.
Almost four million people have signed up to vote in southern Sudan's independence
referendum due to begin on Sunday and lasting until January 15, organizers said
Monday.

"At this point we are optimistic about the referendum of this coming weekend. Sudan
and southern Sudan have come a long way over these past few months," Crowley said.

"But we also are very sober in that, depending on the choices made by the people of
southern Sudan this weekend, we know there is still a long way to go and a difficult
road ahead as we get into negotiations between the north and the south."

North and south Sudan signed a peace deal in 2005 after a devastating 22-year civil war,
which included holding a referendum on whether the south secedes or remains part of
a united country.

Observers believe an overwhelming majority will vote in favor of breaking away from
the north.

"The observers have viewed the registration process as very credible," Crowley said,
adding "we understand there are still many unresolved issues."

The registration process was launched on November 15 for a two-week period but
extended by one week because of high demand in the south, and to encourage a larger
turnout by southerners living in north Sudan.
------------------
Nigerian leader to name 'terrorism' advisor after attacks (AFP)

ABUJA – Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is to tighten security and name a

special advisor on terrorism after a week of bomb blasts that claimed dozens of lives,
his office said on Monday.

The announcement came after Jonathan held emergency talks with his security chiefs
that concluded that the Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve attacks were "acts of terror
carried out by criminal elements within our midst," it said.

Jonathan "in the next one week, is to appoint a special advisor on terrorism," his
spokesman Ima Niboro told reporters.

The president would also work with the parliament "to ensure speedy passage of an
anti-terrorism bill," he said.

Four people were killed in a December 31 bomb blast at an open-air bar and eatery next
to an army barracks in the capital Abuja.
A week earlier, on December 24, bomb explosions and ensuing reprisal attacks killed 80
people in the central city of Jos, a flashpoint of sectarian violence.

An Islamic sect calling itself Jama?atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda?Awati Wal Jihad, a title that
refers to preaching and jihad, but popularly known as Boko Haram, has claimed
responsibility for the Jos attacks.

There has been no claim for the Abuja blast.

Boko Haram launched an uprising in central Nigeria last year in which hundreds of
people were killed in fighting, and has recently targeted policemen and local
community leaders especially in the northern city of Maiduguri.

To enhance security, the government said it would instal CCTV cameras in public areas.

A special presidential taskforce would also be established to control the circulation of

explosives, while licenced weapons would be inspected regularly to check on their use.

The wave of attacks has struck as Nigeria, Africa's most populous country of 150
million people, prepares for general elections in April. Previous ballots have been
marred by fraud and violence.

Nigerian security agents in October last year intercepted an illegal arms shipment that
included rockets and grenades which had been loaded in Iran and was later said to
have been destined for Gambia.

In November a cache of pistols, ammunition, bulletproof jackets, military boots and

military trucks was also discovered at the Lagos port.

Jonathan has directed that in the build-up to elections police promptly arrest and
prosecute "political thugs".
------------------
Cash-driven piracy to rise in Nigeria's oil delta: analysts (AFP)

LAGOS – Cash-driven piracy and militant attacks against oil installations are likely to
increase this year in Nigeria's oil delta after the April elections, private maritime risk
analysts warned Monday.

Although fewer cases of piracy were recorded in 2010 in Nigerian waters than the
previous year, the statistics masked a "more disturbing trend" of offshore kidnappings-
for-ransom, said RiskIntelligence, a Denmark-based maritime security consultancy
group.
"In terms of maritime security, insurgency-related attacks and financially motivated
piracy in and around the Niger Delta will escalate in 2011," it said.

Although piracy cases dropped to 58 last year from 91 in 2009 and 114 the previous
year, 18 out of the 58 attacks in 2010 were for ransom as opposed to eight in 2009 and as
well as the year before.

More than 50 people -- including foreign and local oil workers, children and journalists
-- were abducted in four months in the Niger Delta towards the end of last year.

A much-vaunted amnesty, which saw some 20,000 fighters lay down arms in 2009, had
seen a drop in insurgency.

Analysts however said it failed to meet the expectations of restive youths roaming the
swamplands of one of the world's top oil producers.

Politicians in the oil-rich region are traditionally known to rope in armed gangs as
proxies in political disputes.

RiskIntelligence said some "ex-militants" will likely be involved in electoral violence.

Nigeria goes to the polls in April to pick a national president, state governors and state
lawmakers. Previous Nigerian ballots have been marred by violence and fraud.

"Electoral work is likely to be a temporary lucrative distraction for 'ex-militants' and

insurgents in the lead up to the elections," said the report.

"Criminal and insurgent activities are likely to rise sharply following the elections as
armed groups search for new revenue streams," it added.

President Goodluck Jonathan, announcing he was to name a terrorism advisor after a

week of bomb blasts that claimed dozens of lives, on Monday directed the prompt
arrest and prosecution of "political thugs" ahead of the polls.

The Niger Delta, heart of one of the world's largest oil industries, has been hit by
violence and kidnappings in recent years by criminal gangs and militants claiming to be
fighting for a fairer distribution of oil revenue.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), initially believed to
have been led by Henry Okah who is being held in a jail in South Africa following
October 1 bombings in Nigeria's capital Abuja, has been the most prominent and better
organised of the rebel groups.
Insurgency by ex-militants unhappy with the amnesty programme will rebound, but
will "unlikely be as organised as that of MEND ...but may prove no less disruptive and,
worse, more difficult to predict than the 'old' insurgency," forecasts RiskIntelligence.
------------------
DR Congo moots one-round election 'to cut costs, tensions' (AFP)

KINSHASA – The Democratic Republic of Congo government proposed Monday that

elections due in November be held in one round to cut costs and any flare in tensions as
seen in other African countries.

One of the main opposition parties quickly rejected the proposal, saying it could
undermine the legitimacy of the elected president.

"The two-round election like the one we had in 2006 is not in the interest of the
Congolese people from an economic, political and security point of view," government
spokesman Lambert Mende told reporters.

Holding the election in one round, which would require a partial revision of the
constitution, would halve the costs to around 350 million dollars, he said.

It would also "avoid the country sinking into identity wars like in Kenya, Guinea and
Ivory Coast," he said.

The most recent presidential elections in those countries sparked deadly disputes about
ethnicity and identity, with the Ivory Coast run-off vote in November entrenching a
north-south divide as both candidates claim to be the winner.

The DR Congo's Independent Election Commission has announced the first round of
presidential and parliamentary elections for November 27.

Should no presidential candidate win more than 50 percent, a second round would be
held in February 2012 alongside provincial assembly elections.

The Movement for the Liberation of the Congo led by former deputy president Jean-
Pierre Bemba said the proposal for a one-round presidential election was
"unacceptable".

"It risks affecting the legitimacy of the elected president," spokesman Thomas Luhaka
told AFP.

"We also see in Africa countries that have remained at peace after an election of two
rounds," he said, charging the government wanted to avoid a second round because
"they are afraid".
Bemba, on trial at the International Criminal Court in The Hague for war crimes and
crimes against humanity, lost against President Joseph Kabila in the run-off round of
the last election in 2006.

The vote was the first free election in the DR Congo since its independence from
Belgium in 1960.
------------------
80 African migrants feared drowned off Yemen coast (CNN)

At least 80 African migrants were feared drowned Monday after their boats capsized off
the coast of Yemen, authorities there reported.

The two boats sank in separate accidents.

One boat, which carried 45 migrants mostly from Ethiopia, capsized in the Red Sea,
according to Yemen's official news agency, SABA. Three people on that boat, believed
to be from Somalia, survived and were found on Yemen's coast, the agency said.

Between 35 and 40 migrants were on the second boat that capsized off the coast of Lahj
province, SABA reported, citing the interior ministry.

Many of the people on board were women and children, according to the official
website of Yemen's ruling party. It said all of the migrants on the second boat were from
Ethiopia.

A search is under way to locate the missing.

Yemen, seen as a gateway to other parts of the Middle East, is a common destination for
African migrants fleeing economic hardship and war because of its proximity on the
nearby Arabian Peninsula.

Despite the dangers of the journey, thousands of people cross the Gulf of Aden each
year, according to the United Nation's refugee agency.
------------------
UN News Service Africa Briefs
Full Articles on UN Website

Ban reaffirms UN's unwavering support for presidential poll result in Côte d'Ivoire
2 January – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has reaffirmed the United Nations'
“principled and unwavering” stand that the outcome of the recent presidential election
in Côte d'Ivoire reflected the will of the people and the result must therefore be upheld.