- Another round of talks on the Western Sahara conflict is due to take place at the Greentree Estates in Manhasset, New York between 11 and 13 March, the UN Mediator for Western Sahara conflict, Peter van Walsum, said. [See editor's correction and apology.]
The just concluded third round of negotiations recently took place.
Editor's apology:
An earlier version of this article included propaganda material from the Moroccan government that gave a totally wrong picture of the Western Sahara conflict, including the false rumour that the Sahrawi government is engaged in terrorist activities. These accusations have no root in reality whatsoever. The afrol News editor apologises for this erroneous reporting, which was due to the work of an inexperienced journalist using sources planted by the Moroccan government.
The correct picture of the conflict rather sees the Moroccan side acting in breech with several UN-brokered peace agreements and committing gross human rights violations in the occupied territories. The exiled Sahrawi government, a full AU member, since 1991 has respected the UN-monitored ceasefire, despite Morocco's disrespect of the ceasefire's conditions. The Sahrawis recently have discussed a possible return to war, but nevertheless have accepted yet another UN initiative to broker a solution for the occupied territory, despite their negative experiences regarding the implementation of all earlier agreements.
The editor again wants to apologise for having failed to stop the publication of false rumours and propaganda material.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.