The Associated Press has a very moving and disturbing report on the problem of children, some as young as four years old, working at gold mines across West Africa.
The International Labor Organization estimates that there are as many as 250,000 child gold miners in West Africa alone.
Some countries have banned child labor in dangerous industries like mining but such laws are rarely enforced.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
[Guinean news] Inquiry into general strike deaths 'obstructed'
The Inter Press Service has a profile of some of the families who lost loved ones during the repression of the early 2007 general strike.
IPS notes: More than 186 people died in the wave of repression that followed anti-government demonstrations and strikes in January and February 2007. However the government only acknowledges 137 victims.
"For now we just want to know what happened. We can forgive, but we have to know the truth," said one resident of a Conakry suburb who lost his son.
Another man who lost his son was less clement. "I can't forgive. They killed my son under false pretenses. He was completely unarmed -- not a gun, or a rock, or a even a stick. But they shot him," he explained.
Observers state that inquiries into the 2007 events and a series of shootings in 2006 have been obstructed.
Human Rights Watch researcher and Guinea RPCV Dustin Sharp says that a truly effective national inquiry is necessary to bring the military under control. "A very dangerous message is being sent to armed forces: that violence and lack of discipline are acceptable behavior," he explained.
IPS notes: More than 186 people died in the wave of repression that followed anti-government demonstrations and strikes in January and February 2007. However the government only acknowledges 137 victims.
"For now we just want to know what happened. We can forgive, but we have to know the truth," said one resident of a Conakry suburb who lost his son.
Another man who lost his son was less clement. "I can't forgive. They killed my son under false pretenses. He was completely unarmed -- not a gun, or a rock, or a even a stick. But they shot him," he explained.
Observers state that inquiries into the 2007 events and a series of shootings in 2006 have been obstructed.
Human Rights Watch researcher and Guinea RPCV Dustin Sharp says that a truly effective national inquiry is necessary to bring the military under control. "A very dangerous message is being sent to armed forces: that violence and lack of discipline are acceptable behavior," he explained.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
[Guinean news] Legislative elections postponed yet again
Guinea's Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has announced that legislative elections originally scheduled for June 2007 and already postponed three times will be pushed back again and will not be held in November 2008.
The CENI chairman cited the change of prime minister earlier this year as one reason. Additionally, the cabinet minister in charge of elections Sékouba Bangoura upped the funding requirements from his predecessor's US$10 million to US$34 million, significantly widening the funding gap.
The CENI chairman cited the change of prime minister earlier this year as one reason. Additionally, the cabinet minister in charge of elections Sékouba Bangoura upped the funding requirements from his predecessor's US$10 million to US$34 million, significantly widening the funding gap.
Friday, August 08, 2008
[Guinean news] Drugs' trafficking in West Africa approaching crisis point?
The Washington Post has an article by the executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime on a problem that's causing increasing concern: drugs trafficking in West Africa.
The sub-region has become a major transit point for cocaine smuggling between Latin America and Europe. Originally, activity was centered in Guinea-Bissau, a borderline failed state that has been without a strong central government for a decade.
However, The Post's article reports that the cartels are threatening to branch out into Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Last month alone, more than 600 kilos [of cocaine] were seized in a plane with fake Red Cross markings at the airport in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and at the international airport in Bissau, several hundred boxes were unloaded from a jet.
It notes that fighting this problem will be difficult.
Poverty is the biggest problem. These countries are the worst performers on the human development index -- their populations at the bottom of the "bottom billion." Unemployed and desperate youths are vulnerable to being recruited as foot soldiers for criminal groups. West African countries must take control of their coasts and airspace. This requires hardware (boats, planes and radar), know-how (investigative techniques and container security) and counter-narcotics intelligence. Some of these capabilities can be developed nationally, but some assistance will have to come from abroad.
Another obstacle is those countries' public institutions, which are weak and plagued by corruption.
TIME also ran a piece on Guinea-Bissau becoming West Africa's first narco-state as did the UK Independent. A Russian news site reported on the seizure of a ship ferrying a huge load of cocaine of the coast of Conakry earlier this year. The UN's Office on Drugs and Crime has a thorough report on the West African cocaine trafficking problem.
The sub-region has become a major transit point for cocaine smuggling between Latin America and Europe. Originally, activity was centered in Guinea-Bissau, a borderline failed state that has been without a strong central government for a decade.
However, The Post's article reports that the cartels are threatening to branch out into Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Last month alone, more than 600 kilos [of cocaine] were seized in a plane with fake Red Cross markings at the airport in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and at the international airport in Bissau, several hundred boxes were unloaded from a jet.
It notes that fighting this problem will be difficult.
Poverty is the biggest problem. These countries are the worst performers on the human development index -- their populations at the bottom of the "bottom billion." Unemployed and desperate youths are vulnerable to being recruited as foot soldiers for criminal groups. West African countries must take control of their coasts and airspace. This requires hardware (boats, planes and radar), know-how (investigative techniques and container security) and counter-narcotics intelligence. Some of these capabilities can be developed nationally, but some assistance will have to come from abroad.
Another obstacle is those countries' public institutions, which are weak and plagued by corruption.
TIME also ran a piece on Guinea-Bissau becoming West Africa's first narco-state as did the UK Independent. A Russian news site reported on the seizure of a ship ferrying a huge load of cocaine of the coast of Conakry earlier this year. The UN's Office on Drugs and Crime has a thorough report on the West African cocaine trafficking problem.
Monday, July 21, 2008
[Film news] New Liberia documentary available to FOG members
FOG newsletter editor Mackenzie Pfeifer Dabo reports:
Friends of Guinea members and friends have the opportunity to purchase copies of the new documentary "Iron Ladies of Liberia" at a discount and at the same time raise money for FOG.
From Producer Annie Eastman:
The documentary film, "Iron Ladies of Liberia," as seen on PBS and BBC, is now available on DVD. Use this direct link and get $5 off and help raise $5 for FOG when you purchase a copy:
http://www.neoflix.com/cart/JUS15/JUS1531IRO01&coupon=49494900
(Offer expires 10/15/2008)
Educators, this is a great way to teach about democracy, Africa, and courage!
In November 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Africa’s first elected female president. A former finance minister known as the “Iron Lady,” Sirleaf quickly appointed a team of strong women around her, including the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Commerce, and the Chief of Police. Iron Ladies of Liberia follows these women over the course of their turbulent first year in office – a year which will determine the future of their country.
Iron Ladies of Liberia is a unique look behind the scenes at the rebirth of a nation and democracy in action, under the steady hand of women determined to make history and move their country forward.
Friends of Guinea members and friends have the opportunity to purchase copies of the new documentary "Iron Ladies of Liberia" at a discount and at the same time raise money for FOG.
From Producer Annie Eastman:
The documentary film, "Iron Ladies of Liberia," as seen on PBS and BBC, is now available on DVD. Use this direct link and get $5 off and help raise $5 for FOG when you purchase a copy:
http://www.neoflix.com/cart/JUS15/JUS1531IRO01&coupon=49494900
(Offer expires 10/15/2008)
Educators, this is a great way to teach about democracy, Africa, and courage!
In November 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Africa’s first elected female president. A former finance minister known as the “Iron Lady,” Sirleaf quickly appointed a team of strong women around her, including the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Commerce, and the Chief of Police. Iron Ladies of Liberia follows these women over the course of their turbulent first year in office – a year which will determine the future of their country.
Iron Ladies of Liberia is a unique look behind the scenes at the rebirth of a nation and democracy in action, under the steady hand of women determined to make history and move their country forward.
Monday, July 07, 2008
[Commentary] Is the Peace Corps broken?
A controversial essay on the website of Foreign Policy magazine opines: In the eyes of Americans, no government agency better exemplifies the optimism, can-do spirit, and selfless nature of the United States than the Peace Corps. Unfortunately, it’s never lived up to its purpose or principles.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
[Guinean news] Food prices in Guinea amongst the highest in the region
While food price increases are affecting the entire world, Guinea has been particularly hard hit.
The IRIN reports that Food price hikes have hit Guinea's capital Conakry harder than many others in West Africa according to the World Food Programme (WFP), while an export ban is preventing rural populations from benefiting from high global market prices, leading to fears that mounting food insecurity could lead to instability.
It notes that rice prices in Conakry are almost 50 percent higher than in nearby Monrovia, Liberia and significantly higher than in Senegal's capital Dakar.
In some areas, families spend over 60 percent of their income on food, according to the NGO Helen Keller International.
WFP notes that one of the key factors in Guinea is that rice importing is dominated by a few actors. The country also has an inefficient port system, which adds to costs. And the Guinean franc is not part of the West African CFA monetary union (which in turn is linked to the Euro) has plummeted in value dramatically as inflation has soared. It adds that an export ban has denied Guinean farmers the benefit of high global prices.
The IRIN reports that Food price hikes have hit Guinea's capital Conakry harder than many others in West Africa according to the World Food Programme (WFP), while an export ban is preventing rural populations from benefiting from high global market prices, leading to fears that mounting food insecurity could lead to instability.
It notes that rice prices in Conakry are almost 50 percent higher than in nearby Monrovia, Liberia and significantly higher than in Senegal's capital Dakar.
In some areas, families spend over 60 percent of their income on food, according to the NGO Helen Keller International.
WFP notes that one of the key factors in Guinea is that rice importing is dominated by a few actors. The country also has an inefficient port system, which adds to costs. And the Guinean franc is not part of the West African CFA monetary union (which in turn is linked to the Euro) has plummeted in value dramatically as inflation has soared. It adds that an export ban has denied Guinean farmers the benefit of high global prices.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
[Guinean media] Guinean state television now available online
Guinean state television is now available both online and via television at www.media-rtg.com. Online subscriptions to the RTG range at 30 Euros (US$47) for 3 months to 99 Euros for one year.
You can also view the RTG's nightly news program free on demand at the website Telediaspora.net.
You can also view the RTG's nightly news program free on demand at the website Telediaspora.net.
Friday, June 27, 2008
[Guinean news] Legislative elections doubtful for 2008
The IRIN news service reports that legislative elections originally scheduled for October 2007 and postponed several times are unlikely to occur this year as promised by the government.
An International Crisis Group report* released a few days ago stated, “Calming talk of inclusion and pursuit of change from the new head of government should fool no one. Unless robust internal and external pressure is applied, there is every chance the government will break the promise of credible legislative elections in December 2008.”
The ICG added that another electoral postponement would “compromise economic revival and bury the independent commission of inquiry tasked with identifying and prosecuting authors of the 2007 crackdown.”
Donors have criticized the Guinean government for not allocating sufficient funds for the elections.
“The Guinean government has spent more on sending the Guinean football team to the African Cup than on its own elections. Why should donors pay for it if they’re not willing to themselves?” One frustrated donor told IRIN, adding, “It is not up to the international community to push elections – it has to come from within.”
*-The entire ICG report on the situation in Guinea can be accessed here
An International Crisis Group report* released a few days ago stated, “Calming talk of inclusion and pursuit of change from the new head of government should fool no one. Unless robust internal and external pressure is applied, there is every chance the government will break the promise of credible legislative elections in December 2008.”
The ICG added that another electoral postponement would “compromise economic revival and bury the independent commission of inquiry tasked with identifying and prosecuting authors of the 2007 crackdown.”
Donors have criticized the Guinean government for not allocating sufficient funds for the elections.
“The Guinean government has spent more on sending the Guinean football team to the African Cup than on its own elections. Why should donors pay for it if they’re not willing to themselves?” One frustrated donor told IRIN, adding, “It is not up to the international community to push elections – it has to come from within.”
*-The entire ICG report on the situation in Guinea can be accessed here
Sunday, June 22, 2008
[Guinean news] Striking policemen clash with soldiers
Last week saw two days of clashes between police and soldiers in Conakry. The police went on strike to protest salary arrears. Soldiers, who themselves rioted over back pay only a few weeks prior, were called in to suppress the police revolt. Customs officials also reportedly joined the police strike.
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