U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan says humanitarian aid
to Africa is facing 'irrevocable crisis.'
Ghana-born
Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan
has declared that "The humanitarian needs of the
victims of war and natural disasters in many parts
of Africa are nearing irrevocable crisis
proportions." Annan said he was "alarmed by the
poor response of the international community" to
the crisis in Africa. "The U.N humanitarian
agencies and their partners require $796 million to
assist over 12 million people in Africa, yet only
$352 million have been received." In Angola, he
said, it is estimated that 200 lives are lost each
day as the conflict between government and UNITA
forces intensifies. Also see commentary on
Annan.
Three months after Senator
Brownback, congressmen Donald Payne and Tom
Tancredo argued that 'US support is needed to free
Sudan' from slavery, religious extremism and other
human rights crimes, and a congressional hearing,
local sources inside the Sudan and others who have
fled the country informed USAfricaonline.com and
USAfrica The Newspaper that "not much has been
done to halt the terrible deaths and abuses our
people are still facing." One of them said "We are
praying that (President) Clinton will help us.
We're dying, every day." The lawmakers who
recently returned from Sudan are making the case
that the United States should step up its support
for all groups fighting the National Islamic Front
government of President Omar el-Bashir.
Additional USAfricaonline report appears at
Sudan
branded over Slave Trade.
Also, see Human
rights, Sudan and media The New
Africa Infrastructure Fund responds to the
commitment made by Congress and the Clinton
Administration to increase private investment in
sub-Saharan Africa. It is expected to leverage an
additional $2 billion of investment in Africa which
will create approximately 6,800 new jobs for
Africans and generate almost $50 million in annual
revenues for the countries of sub-Sahara Africa. It
will also generate an estimated $350 million in
American exports while creating U.S. jobs-- all at
no cost to the U.S. taxpayer. Investments will
focus on basic infrastructure needs such as
telecommunications, transportation, and
power. "I
commend the Congress and the Administration for
identifying Africa as one of the biggest growth
opportunities for American business in the world,"
George Munoz, OPIC President and CEO said. "As this
fund-the largest in OPIC's history-demonstrates, we
are strongly committed to increasing U.S. direct
investment in Africa." "OPIC is also
committed to working with the nations of
sub-Saharan Africa as partners in growth and to
help facilitate the integration of Africa into the
global economy," Munoz continued. "The New Africa
Infrastructure Fund is the fourth OPIC equity fund
supporting investment in Africa. OPIC has signed
new bilateral investment agreements with 14
sub-Saharan African countries since 1997. In
addition, OPIC is providing almost $900 million of
support in approximately 20 countries in
sub-Saharan Africa." PANA
Machine gunfire burn parts of Somalia as armed
gangs, police and Islamic activists batlle, again,
for control. According to eyewitness accounts
cited by AP the clashes broke out late Friday
August 13, after residents of the southern Hodon
district tried to establish their own Islamic
court, challenging the authority of the current
courts. Somalia has had no central government since
the 1991 ouster of the late dictator Mohamed Siad
Barre by a coalition of rebels. After Siad Barre's
ouster, the rebels turned against each other, and
the country disintegrated into fiefdoms protected
by clan-based militias and so-called ethnic
warlords.
Zuma says DR Congo rebels must join peace
deal. The two rival factions of the rebel
Congolese Rally for Democracy must both be made
party to a peace deal in the Democratic Republic of
Congo, according to South Africa's foreign Minister
Dr Nkosazana Zuma. Speaking to the SABC, she said
"Heads of state should find a way of making sure
that when that announcement is made ... the final
resolution does not leave a group of people feeling
that they want to go to war. It should leave them
feeling that they want to go forward with the peace
process."
She recently met with the two rival factions -- one
supported by Uganda and the other by Rwanda -- in
Kisangani, in northeastern DRC. The wrangle between
the two groups is stalling the implementation of
the Lusaka accord, which was signed by Kabila, all
foreign belligerents in the war and a second rebel
movement. USAfricaonline/MG
Senegal's Toure becomes first African woman to lead
regional IPPF. Tamaro Toure, chairperson of the
Senegalese Association for Family Welfare has
assumed office to head the executive committee of
the African region of the International Planned
Parenthood Federation. During her three-year
mandate as head of the IPPF-Africa executive
committee, comprising 43 sub-Saharan countries,
Toure will also sit in the IPPF's Governing
Council. The IPPF was set up in 1952. Toure, a
trained lawyer and a retired labour inspector, is
esteemed for a brilliant career in the civil
service of Senegal.
Web site launched for imprisoned South African
poet, Mbuli. The campaign for the Release of
Mzwakhe Mbuli has launched a web site to publicize
the case of the renowned artist. Mbuli is known as
South Africa's "people's poet" for his daring
appearances during the apartheid struggle. The site
is at www.mzwakhe.org. It contains background
information and an on-line petition calling for
Mbuli's release. by Norm Dixon
HEALTHWATCH
Luo
to chair HIV/AIDS conference in
Lusaka.
Professor Nkandu Luo, Zambia's Minister of Health
will chair the 11th International Conference on
HIV/AIDS from September 12-16 in Lusaka Zambia.
Luo
has recently written several opinion pieces on the
devastating epidemic that has swept the Continent,
especially the southern region. Luo (in pix) has
done collaborative work with the office of the U.S.
vice president Al Gore on AIDS in Africa.
Her insight on AIDS and the African continent will
appear in USAfrica The Newspaper and here on
USAfricaonline.com.
Also, Houston congresswoman Sheila
Jackson-Lee
has been actively engaged with other
legislators and health experts on Africa-related
issues, especially in the fight to halt the
devastation of the virus across Africa. Her views
on this issue will be publish on the two media
formats of USAfrica.
NEWS
INSIGHT
Atrocities
continue in the Sudan despite U.S. assurances to
significantly halt abuses
BUSINESS
$350
Million fund for Investments in Africa launched by
Washington DC-based OPIC. The Overseas Private
Investment Corporation (OPIC) has launched a $350
million equity fund for investment in sub-Saharan
Africa-the largest single fund in OPIC's history.
The fund was formally launched at a Capitol Hill
ceremony July 22 sponsored by Congressmen Bill
Archer (R-TX), Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Philip M.
Crane (R-IL), Sander M. Levin (D- MI), Sonny
Callahan (R-AL), Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY), and Sam
Gejdenson (D-CT).
eBANKING
Chase,
First Union, Wells Fargo e-billing network
'fortified' for Y2K
Three of the U.S major banks Chase Manhattan,
First Union and Wells Fargo who announced on June
24 in New York that they will form a company to
facilitate electronic receipt and payment of bills
for individuals and businesses plan to announce
additional and what some of their executives say
will be the "most secure transaction methods" and
and Y2K-proof protocol for their customers by the
end of summer.
Onwuchekwe
elected president of Houston's IPC; Obiechina
becomes board chair
The
Igbo Peoples' Congress in Houston elected on Friday
August 6, 1999, new officers. Chibuzo E.
Onwuchekwe, P.E, (in pix) secured the position
Executive President, while Aloy Obiechina was
elected the Board Chairman. Onwuchekwe holds a
Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees
in Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering.
The president-elect informed USAfricaonline.com and
NigeriaCentral.com
that "my
first task is to enhance our comunity's awareness
about things here and build a stronger presence
here. From it, we'll impact and contribute to shape
issues and events back home in Nigeria. I have a
plan to strongly to work with the house of
delegates of the IPC and reach out to the
communities they represent." He is licensed in the
State of Texas and holds almost 14 years of
practice in the area of environmental engineering.
He founded Merit Environmental and Blessings
Homecare Services in 1993. Currently serves as the
President of both companies. He is married to
Victoria Ngozi Onwuchekwe, RN, who serves as
director of nursing at Blessings. Mazi Onwuchekwe
is vice President of Ndi Ichie Cultural Club of
Houston, vice President, Aguata-Orumba Association
and member, People's Club of Nigeria, Houston.
On his part, Obiechina also informed
USAfricaonline.com that "it's a new day for our
organization and we'll do our very best to refocus
our community . There's a lot of work ahead, and we
believe it can be done." Onwuchekwe said that one
of his objectives will be to "make the voice of my
community and people here in Houston very distinct
and respected." by Chido Nwangwu