2005 in Africa 3361011 212074067 2008-05-13T09:42:44Z Russavia 253448 clean up , typos fixed: dieing → dying using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] :'''2005 in Africa''' - [[2006 in Africa]] - [[2007 in Africa]] {{TOCright}} ==International organisations== ===African Union=== {{main|African Union}} * The first summit of heads of state of the [[African Union]]'s [[Peace and Security Council]] was held in [[Libreville]] ([[Gabon]]) on [[January 10]] and [[January 11]] [[2005]]. The summit focused on the situation in [[Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and [[Darfur]]. * The [[African Union]] summit was held on [[January 30]] and [[January 31]] in [[Abuja]] ([[Nigeria]]). The orders of the day included food security, the struggle against [[pandemics]] such as [[HIV]]-[[AIDS]], [[malaria]] and [[polio]], as well as the New Partnership for Africa's Development ([[NEPAD]]) and the resolution of conflicts on the continent, especially in [[Côte d'Ivoire]] and [[Darfur]]. Several decisions were made during the summit: * The establishment in [[Somalia]] of a peace force of 5000 to 7000 troops to assist in the stabilisation of the country. It will be organised by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development ([[IGAD]]), that joins Somalia and its neighbouring countries. In the first stage, its mandate will be limited to protecting the installation of the Somalian government. * The deployment of a military force to disarm the Rwandan rebels, who are accused of being implicated in the [[Rwandan Genocide|1994 genocide in Rwanda]], and have since then sought refuge in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. [[Kofi Annan]], [[secretary general]] of the [[United Nations|UN]] has sought to strengthen the partnership between the UN and the [[African Union]] for [[Africa]] to reach the [[Millennium Development Goals]] by 2015. He declared that "''Africa isn't on schedule to reach the Millennium Development Goals. But it will be able to reach these goals if the world partnership, promised a long time ago, does come together completely''". The question of how to represent Africa in the best possible way in the [[UN]] [[Security Council]] was delayed, following a disagreement among the member countries of the African Union. This was referred to a committee composed of 15 countries to assemble in [[Swaziland]] from February 2005. The mandate of the current chairman, [[Olusegun Obasanjo]], president of [[Nigeria]], was prolonged from July 2005 to January 2006. Next summits will be held in [[Libya]] in July 2005 and in [[Sudan]] in January 2006. * The [[Executive Council of the African Union]], meeting on [[March 7]] and [[March 8]] [[2005]] in [[Addis Ababa]] ([[Ethiopia]]), decided to propose that Africa is represented by two permanent members of the [[Security Council]] of the [[UN]]. These representatives will need to have the same rights as the other council members, notably the veto power. * A summit of the African Union was held in [[Surt]] ([[Libya]]) on [[July 4]] and [[July 5]] [[2005]]. The African [[heads of states]] requested the [[G8]] to totally cancel the debt of all African countries, and demanded that the continent is represented by two permanent members of the UN Security Council. ===Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)=== {{main|Economic Community of West African States}} * On [[January 19]] [[2005]], [[Tandja Mamadou]], president of [[Niger]], was elected president of the Economic Community of West African States, replacing [[John Kufuor]] of [[Ghana]]. * February 2005: the ECOWAS condemned the seizure of power by [[Faure Gnassingbé|Faure Gnassingbé Eyadéma]] in [[Togo]] following the death of his father [[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]]. ===Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC)=== {{main|Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa}} * The summit of the [[heads of state]] of the [[Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa]] (Cemac) was held on [[February 11]] [[2005]] in [[Libreville]] ([[Gabon]]). Present were the presidents of the [[Central African Republic]] ([[François Bozizé]]), of the [[Republic of the Congo]] ([[Denis Sassou-Nguesso]]), of [[Equatorial Guinea]] ([[Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo]]), of [[Tchad]] ([[Idriss Déby]]), of [[Gabon]] ([[Omar Bongo Ondimba]], present chairman of CEMAC) and [[Abdou Diouf]], secretary general of the [[La Francophonie|Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie]]. [[Paul Biya]], president of [[Cameroon]] was represented by the chairman of the National Assembly. The summit mainly discussed economic aspects, notably the creation of the sub-regional airway company [[Air Cémac]] in partnership with the group [[Royal Air Maroc]]. The summit also touched the situation in [[Togo]] and welcomed a delegation, led by [[Kokou Tozoun]], minister of foreign affairs. A statement was made, inviting "''the international community to encourage the Togo authorities to do its utmost to establish a swift and peaceful return of the peace process in the country''". [[Omar Bongo Ondimba]], present chairman of the Cemac, yielded his chair to [[Teodoro Obiang Nguema]], president of [[Equatorial Guinea]]. ===West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA)=== {{main|West African Economic and Monetary Union}} [[Tandja Mamadou]], president of [[Niger]] returned to the chair of the UEMOA following the summit of the organisation in [[Niamey]] ([[Niger]]) on [[March 30]] [[2005]]. Different heads of state participated in the summit: [[Abdoulaye Wade]] ([[Senegal]]), [[Mathieu Kérékou]] ([[Benin]]), [[Blaise Compaoré]] ([[Burkina Faso]]), [[Amadou Toumani Touré]] ([[Mali]]), [[Henrique Rosa]] ([[Guinea-Bissau]]) and [[Tandja Mamadou]] ([[Niger]]). [[Togo]] was represented by [[Koffi Sama]], prime minister, and [[Côte d'Ivoire]] by [[Théodore Mel Eg]], minister for regional integration and the African Union. In a final communiqué, the UEMOA congratulated itself for "''the results on price stability in the Union, following a better provisioning of the food markets''" and "''welcomed the actions intended to preserve the value of the common currency''", the [[CFA franc]]. ===Other organisations=== * A youth forum for peace and development was held from the 10 to [[12 January]] [[2005]] in [[Conakry]] ([[Guinea]]). Organized by the [[UNDP]] (United Nations Development Programme) in collaboration with the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS), it joined about fifty youngsters from [[Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Guinea]], [[Liberia]] and [[Sierra Leone]], representatives of student's associations, executives of national youth organizations, as well as young people from the rural zones and the border areas of these four countries. These young people committed themselves to contribute to the consolidation of peace and the development of the West African sub-region, to promote the role of the young people in the process of peace and development in Côte d'Ivoire, and within the Union of the Mano River (UFM, joining [[Guinea]], Liberia and [[Sierra Leone]]). * The evaluation meeting of the "Process of Bamako" (2000), bearing on the "''institutions and democratic practice in the French-speaking countries''", was organized in [[Dakar]] ([[Senegal]]) on 4 and [[5 January]] [[2005]], by the [[La Francophonie|Organisation internationale de la francophonie]] in partnership with the ''Haut commissariat aux Droits de l'homme et à la promotion de la Paix'' (High Office on Human Rights and on the Promotion of Peace) of [[Senegal]]. * [[UN]] : [[Benin]], non permanent member of the [[Security Council]] since [[23 October]] [[2003]] will be chair during the month of February 2005. * [[ACP countries]] - [[European Union]] : The 9th session of the [[ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly]] was held from the 18 to [[22 April]] [[2005]] in [[Bamako]] ([[Mali]]). During this session, the "countries of the south" requested the European Union to take concrete measures against poverty. In a declaration entitled ''Declaration of Bamako on the Millennium Development Goals'', they ask for the cancellation of debts, measures aiming at laying down more equitable commercial rules, a more real partnership and an increase in the financial flow towards the developing countries. In parallel, the ACP countries must fight effectively against corruption, improve management of public expenditure, and reinforce the social measures, in particular regarding health and education. ==Conflict and civil war== ===Côte d'Ivoire=== {{main|Ivorian Civil War}} * On [[11 January]], [[Thabo Mbeki]], president of [[South Africa]], on a mission for the African Union went to [[Yamoussoukro]], political capital of [[Côte d'Ivoire]], to attend the Council of Ministers. The ministers of [[Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire|Forces Nouvelles]] (the rebel movement) did not attend this council. According to [[Agence France-Presse]] (AFP), their absence was interpreted to be "''a sign of dissatisfaction with the conclusions of this summit, which granted president [[Laurent Gbagbo]] the right to organise a referendum to seek adoption of the revision of article 35 of the Constitution on the conditions for eligibility for the presidency of the Republic''". * On [[22 January]], the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire ([[UNOCI]]) authorized the Cote d'Ivoire government to repair its air fleet, destroyed on [[6 November]] [[2004]] by the French soldiers of the [[Operation Unicorn]], without the possibility to re-arm them. [[Guillaume Soro]], secretary general of the [[Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire|Forces Nouvelles]] considers this to be "''a serious act within the peace process''". On [[23 January]], during a press conference in [[Bouaké]], he declared: "''To be able to disarm, one needs an environment of confidence. One does not disarm in distrust, and even less when challenged". * [[South Africa]]n president [[Thabo Mbeki]] received on [[23 January]] in [[Pretoria]] a number of representatives of the opposition to discuss the peace process. [[Alassane Dramane Ouattara]], candidate for the [[Rally of the Republicans|Rassemblement des républicains]] (RDR) and [[Lambert Kouassi Konan]], vice-president of the Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire ([[PDCI]]) were welcomed first, before [[Guillaume Soro]], leader of the rebel [[Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire|Forces Nouvelles]]. [[Alassane Dramane Ouattara]] shared his wish that the presidential elections, planned for October 2005, would be organized by the [[United Nations]] for them "''to be undisputed by anyone''". * The Security Council of the United Nations on [[1 February]] unanimously adopted a [[Resolution (policy debate)|resolution]], presented by [[France]], reinforcing the effectiveness of the arms [[embargo]]. This resolution 1584 authorizes the [[blue helmets]] of the United Nations Operation in Cote d'Ivoire ([[UNOCI]]) and French soldiers of the [[Operation Unicorn]] to inspect without notice planes and freight vehicles using the ports, airports, airfields, military bases and border posts. [[Pascal Affi Guessan]], chair of the [[Front populaire ivoirien]], the party of president [[Laurent Gbagbo]], stated to be surprised and disappointed by this measure which he describes as "''unnecessary provocation''". * The [[Secretary General]] of the [[United Nations]] indicates, in a report of [[24 March]] [[2005]] on the situation in Côte d'Ivoire, that "''in spite of the commendable efforts that President [[Thabo Mbeki|Mbeki]] undertook in the name of the African Union and of the encouraging prospects which opens the action plan of the African Union, the country remains actually divided''". He worries about the economic decline of the country, of the ongoing violations of human rights, of the non-disarmament of the militia members and the fighters of the [[Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire|Forces Nouvelles]]. Fearing a serious confrontation in the country, he declares: "''There is a real danger of the situation becoming uncontroleable, which may lead to unforeseeable consequences for the Côte d'Ivoire population and for the sub-region as a whole''". * Four political parties of the opposition, the ''Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire'' ([[PDCI]]), the ''Rassemblement des républicains'' ([[RDR]]), the ''Union for democracy and peace in Côte d'Ivoire'' ([[UDPCI]]) and the ''Mouvement des forces d'avenir'' (MFA), in a joint declaration, asked "''the Security Council of UNO with insistence for the renewal of the mandate of the [[Operation Unicorn]] and its stay in Côte d'Ivoire until the end of the electoral process, supporting the [[UN]] Forces''". They expressed their support for the mediation started by [[Thabo Mbeki]], president of [[South Africa]] and requested the ''Forces nouvelles'' to participate in the peace process. * In a report, published on [[31 March]] [[2005]], the human rights organization [[Human Rights Watch]] (HRW) states that several "''hundreds of recently demobilized [[Liberia]]n soldiers, among whom many children under 18''" were recruited by the Côte d'Ivoire government since the beginning of the civil war. * [[Thabo Mbeki]], president of [[South Africa]] and mediator for the African Union for the civil war in Côte d'Ivoire assembled on 4 and [[5 April]] in Pretoria the different protagonists of the conflict: president [[Laurent Gbagbo]], Prime Minister [[Seydou Diarra]], [[Guillaume Soro]] (Forces Nouvelles), [[Alassane Ouattara]] (Rassemblement des républicains), [[Henri Konan Bédié]] (Parti démocratique de Côte d'Ivoire). An agreement to end the hostilities was reached which envisages the disarmament of the rebel forces and the different pro government militia. The question about eligibility for the presidency of the Republic could not be resolved. [[Thabo Mbeki]] has given himself one week to make proposals, after having consulted [[Olusegun Obasanjo]], president of [[Nigeria]] and of the [[African Union]], and [[Kofi Annan]], Secretary General of the UNO. The presidential election remains scheduled for October 2005. [[Laurent Gbagbo]] was pleased with this agreement, as was the African Union, whose commission president [[Alpha Oumar Konaré]] congratulated the mediation by Thabo Mbeki. [[Guillaume Soro]] announced the imminent return to the government of the Forces nouvelles ministers. ===Democratic Republic of the Congo=== {{main|Democratic Republic of the Congo}} * On [[10 January]], the [[Peace and Security Council]] of the [[African Union]], meeting in [[Libreville]] ([[Gabon]]), decided in favour of assistance to [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Kinshasa]] for the disarmament of the old genocide forces ([[Interahamwe]] militia and ex-[[FAR]] ([[Rwanda]]n Armed Forces of the former regime), moved to the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1994. * The office of the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] (UNHCR) announced on [[17 January]] that at least 15.000 Congolese took refuge in [[Uganda]] since [[11 January]], fleeing the insecurity reigning in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. * [[25 January]] : release of the report on the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the group of experts formed according to [[UN Security Council Resolution|resolution]] 1552 (arms embargo) of the UN [[Security Council]]. * [[MONUC]], ''Mission of the United Nations (UN) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)'' announced on [[2 February]] that the 9000 inhabitants of the area of [[Tché]], in [[Ituri]], are under protection of the UN, after disturbances that caused 52 deaths the days before. * [[Ituri]]: the ''Mission of the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo'' ([[MONUC]]) announced Wednesday [[9 February]] that the prosecutor of [[Bunia]] in [[Ituri]] started legal proceedings after the attacks allotted to the militia members of the nationalists and integrationists front in the area of [[Tché]] since [[19 January]]. These attacks caused 52 deaths, mainly women, children and elderly people. Since [[29 January]], more than 10.000 people sought the protection of the UN in Tché. * In [[Ituri]], an area with interethnic violence that caused 50.000 deaths (and 500,000 displaced) since 1999, a group of 4000 militia members of the [[People's Armed Forces of Congo|Forces armées du peuple congolais]] (FAPC) decided to depose arms and to adhere to the national disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program. The militia members who disarm have the choice between being integrated in the regular army or to join the civil life. * In a report published on [[7 march]] [[2005]], the organization [[Human Rights Watch]] (HRW) denounces the fact that "''less than one dozen attackers were prosecuted''" whereas tens of thousands of women and young girls were violated since 1998 by the soldiers and the militia members in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. * The [[United Nations Security Council]] unanimously adopted on [[30 March]] [[2005]] the [[UN Security Council Resolution|resolution]] 1592 by which it extends, until [[1 October]] [[2005]], the mandate of the ''Mission of the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo'' ([[MONUC]]). It reaffirms its concern for the "''hostilities that the armed groups and militia continue to maintain in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular in the provinces of [[Nord-Kivu|North]] and [[Sud-Kivu|South Kivu]] and in the district of [[Ituri]]''" and requests the government to bring to justice the persons responsible for the "''serious violations of human rights and of the [[international humanitarian law]]''". It considers "''that the presence of elements of the former "[[Rwanda]]n Armed Forces" and the [[Interahamwe]] remains a threat on the local civil populations and an obstacle for the good neighbourship relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda''" and invites the [[African Union]] to co-operate with the MONUC. ===Sudan=== {{main|Sudan}} ====South-Sudan==== {{main|South Sudan}} A final agreement of peace in South-Sudan was signed on [[9 January]] [[2005]] in [[Nairobi]] between the Sudanese vice-president [[Ali Osman Taha]] and [[John Garang]], leader of the southern rebels of the [[Sudan People's Liberation Army]] (SPLA), putting a term to the longest conflict in Africa (21 years), that killed 1,5 million. During a 6 year period, this agreement envisages broad autonomy for the south of Sudan which will have its own government and an autonomous army. At the end of this period, a self-determination referendum will be organized. The income resulting from oil will be shared in equal share between the south and north. In addition, the government will have 70% of the positions in the central administration against 30% for the southern rebels. Lastly, the [[Sharia]] (Islamic law) will be into force only in the north of the country, with [[Muslim]] majority. It will not be applied in the south, having a Christian and animist majority. On [[10 January]], thousands of Sudanese expressed their joy in the streets of [[Khartoum]]. The National Liberation Council of the [[Sudan People's Liberation Movement]] (SPLM) ratified unanimously on [[24 January]] the peace agreement in [[Rumbek]]. * The Security Council of the UN adopted on [[24 march]] unanimously resolution 1590 presented by the United States which envisages the sending of a [[United Nations Mission In Sudan]] (Unmis) made up of 10 000 soldiers and 715 civil police officers in order to "''support the implementation of the peace agreement''" in South-Sudan, signed in January 2005 by the government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army ([[Sudan People's Liberation Army|SPLM/A]]) of [[John Garang]]. This mission has an initial mandate of 6 months. * At the donor conference which took place 11 and [[12 April]] in [[Oslo]] ([[Norway]]), the financial sponsors promised to give 4,5 billion dollars for the reconstruction of Sudan, devastated by 21 years of civil war. * [[John Garang]], leader of the former rebels in South-Sudan became vice-president of Sudan on [[9 July]] in accordance with the peace agreement of January 2005. * After the death of [[John Garang]] on [[30 July]] [[2005]], he was replaced by [[Salva Kiir Mayardit]] on [[11 August]] [[2005]]. ====Darfur==== {{main|Darfur}} * The [[African Union]] decided to deploy a peacekeeping force in Darfur. The force should in the long term be made up of 3.320 men. * On [[26 January]] an air raid took place on a village in Darfour, killing a hundred people. [[Adam Thiam]], spokesman of the African Union declared that it was "''the most serious attack performed these last months. It is more than a very serious violation of the cease-fire because it is not an isolated act''". The acts of violence multiply these last weeks, a few days from the summit of the African Union which will be devoted in particular to the situation in Darfur. * [[Kofi Annan]], secretary-general of the [[UN]], invited the United Nations on [[1 February]] to take urgent action to put an end to the massacres in the area of [[Darfur]] in the south of Sudan. In a report, submitted the day before, UNO accuses the Sudanese government and the Arab militia to have committed in Darfur "''serious violations''" of the international law, equivalent to "''war crimes''" or "''crimes against humanity''", referring to the generalized practice of torture, rape, murder and plundering of civilians. * On [[13 February]] [[2005]], [[Kofi Annan]], Secretary General of the United Nations called upon [[NATO]] and the [[European Union]] "''to seriously study what they can undertake concretely to help to put an end to''" the tragedy that is the war in Darfur, causing during the last two years the death of several tens of thousands and the displacement of 1,6 million. * In a conference at the [[Agence France-Presse]] (AFP) on [[14 March]] [[2005]], Jan Egeland, [[United Nations]] [[Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator]], stated that the conflict in Darfour killed at least 180 000 during the last 18 months, an average of 10 000 deaths per month. These figures count people dying because of deprivations and diseases. * The [[United Nations Security Council]] adopted on [[29 March]] [[2005]] by 12 votes for and three abstentions ([[Algeria]], [[China]] and [[Russia]]) a resolution presented by the United States installing sanctions (freezing of assets and prohibition of moving abroad) for those recognized guilty of having committed atrocities or threatening the peace process. A commission consisting in representatives of the 15 Member States of the Security Council will be charged to nominate these persons. The resolution also extends the embargo on arms and forbids the government to carry out offensive military flights over Darfur. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs esteems that this resolution, that it judges "''unbalanced and inappropriate''", does not take in account the "''government efforts to deal with the questions related with politics, safety and the humanitarian situation in Darfur''". * The [[United Nations Security Council]] adopted on [[30 March]] [[2005]] by 11 votes for and 4 abstentions ([[Algeria]], [[Brazil]], [[China]] and the [[United States]]) a resolution allowing to bring the authors of exactions (murder, rapes or plunderings) in Darfour before the [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC). The [[United States]], opposed to the International Criminal Court stated that these nationals cannot be judged there. Thus, the resolution provides that "the citizens, responsible now or in the past, or the personnel of a State non party to the Treaty of Rome on the International Criminal Court, will be subjected to the exclusive jurisdiction of this State for any act supposedly related to operations in Sudan". * The [[Peace and Security Council]] of the [[African Union]] approved on [[28 April]] the reinforcement of its peacekeeping force in Darfur. Its manpower will pass from 2200 to 7700 men. ===Political crisis in Togo=== {{main|Politics of Togo}} On [[5 February]] [[2005]], president [[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]] died after having lead [[Togo]] for 38 years. According to the constitution, the chairman of the National Assembly should have been acting president until new presidential elections, to be held in 60 days. The army however decided to bring to power a son of the late president, [[Faure Gnassingbé|Faure Gnassingbé Eyadéma]]. To endorse the decision of the army, the parliament urgently modified the constitution. The [[African Union]], the [[Economic Community of West African States|ECOWAS]], the [[UN]], the European Union condemned what they called a "[[coup d'etat]]" and demanded the re-establishment of the constitutional order. In spite of a ban on public demonstrations issued by the government, the principal opposition parties demanded free and pluralist elections and appealed each day for peaceful demonstrations, which gathered several hundreds to a few thousand people. These were dispersed by the police, using teargas. On [[25 February]] [[Faure Gnassingbé|Faure Gnassingbé Eyadéma]] renounced from the position of president of the Republic, and announced to be standing as a candidate to the presidential elections, to be held on [[24 April]] [[2005]]. [[Abass Bonfoh]], vice-president of the National Assembly became acting president. Four candidates presented themselves at the election of [[24 April]]: [[Faure Gnassingbé|Faure Gnassingbé Eyadéma]], supported by the ''Rassemblement du peuple togolais'' ([[RPT]]), [[Emmanuel Bob Akitani]], candidate for the coalition of the radical opposition, [[Harry Olympio]], candidate for the ''Rassemblement pour le soutien à la démocratie et au développement'' ([[RSDD]], moderate opposition) and [[Nicolas Lawson]], a businessman who withdrew his candidature on [[22 April]]. The campaign was held in a climate of violence. The opposition denounced the conditions in which they had to prepare, and request a postponement of the election. Two days before the poll, [[François Boko]], Minister for the Interior of the temporary government, requested the postponement of the scrutiny. In a press conference, he denounced "''a suicidal electoral process''". He was then forced to resign. The election took place on [[24 April]]. It is marked by much violence, resulting in dozens of deaths. The results were proclaimed on [[26 April]]: Faure Gnassingbé, wins the election with 60,22% of the votes, before Emmanuel Bob Akitani with 38,19% and Harry Olympio with 0,55%. After the announcement, there was an outbreak of demonstrations in several cities of the country, denouncing the massive fraud. Clashes between demonstrators and the police occurred, involving hundreds of victims, died or wounded. Thousands of Togolese took refuge in [[Benin]]. ECOWAS, the European Union and France recognized the victory of Faure Gnassingbé Eyadema and called for the installation of a government of national unity. This was rejected by the radical opposition, that requested the cancellation of the elections because of the massive fraud. On [[8 June]], [[Edem Kodjo]], president of the ''Convergence patriotique panafricaine'' ([[CPP]], moderate opposition), is appointed Prime Minister. ==Elections== * [[Burkina Faso]]: [[Incumbent]] [[President of Burkina Faso|President]] [[Blaise Compaoré]] is re-elected in the [[Burkina Faso presidential elections, 2005|2005 Presidential Elections]] on [[13 November]]. <small>See also: [[Politics of Burkina Faso]]</small> * [[Burundi]]: In the [[Burundi elections, 2005|Communal, National Assembly and Senate Elections of 2005]] held on [[3 June]], the [[National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy]] (NCDD-FDD) dominated the communal councilors, [[National Assembly of Burundi|National Assembly]] and [[Senate of Burundi|Senate]]. <small>See also: [[Politics of Burundi]]</small> * [[Djibouti]]: [[Incumbent]] [[Heads of State of Djibouti|President]] [[Ismail Omar Guelleh]] won the [[Elections in Djibouti#Presidential elections|Presidential Elections]] on [[8 April]] unopposed. The opposition headed a massive boycott of the elections, alleging that they were undemocratic and rigged. <small>See also: [[Politics of Djibouti]]</small> * [[Ethiopia]]: In the [[Ethiopian general elections, 2005|General Elections]] held on [[15 May]], the [[Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front]] (EPRDF) won a majority of 327 out of the 547 total seats in the [[House of People's Representatives]]. The opposition claimed that the elections were fraudulent and unfair, sparking a wave of demonstrations in [[Addis Ababa]], which were only stopped with the arrival of the [[Military of Ethiopia|police and military]]. <small>See also: [[Politics of Ethiopia]]</small> * [[Gabon]]: Africa's longest-serving ruler, [[incumbent]] [[President of Gabon|President]] [[Omar Bongo Ondimba]] garners 79.18% of the vote in the [[Gabonese presidential election, 2005|2005 Presidential Elections]] on [[27 November]], winning another 7-year term. <small>See also: [[Politics of Gabon]]</small> * [[Guinea]]: ==Environment== * [[Biodiversity]] : While [[France|French]] president [[Jacques Chirac]] organized a summit on biodiversity, bringing together scientists and politicians, the [[nongovernmental organization]]s [[Greenpeace]] and [[Friends of the Earth]] organized in Paris a counter-summit from 24 to [[27 January]] [[2005]] on the topic "''how finally pass from discours to acts to protect biodiversity?''" It was mainly focussed on saving the [[rain forests]] and more particularly on the [[Congo Basin]] forest. * [[Republic of the Congo|Congo]]: An international summit on [[sustainable forestry]] in [[central Africa]] took place on [[1 February]] in [[Brazzaville]], in the presence of the presidents of [[Cameroun]] ([[Paul Biya]]), [[Gabon]] ([[Omar Bongo Ondimba]]), [[Chad]] ([[Idriss Déby]]), the [[Central African Republic]] ([[François Bozizé]]) and [[Equatorial Guinea]] ([[Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo]]), as well as French president [[Jacques Chirac]]. :* The [[NGO]]s of central Africa denounced the refusal of the organizers to invite them to this conference and to hear their claims. [[Belmond Tchoumba]] of the ''[[Centre Camerounais pour l'Environnement et le Développement]]'' (Cameroun Environment and Development Centre) deplored that "''all these people hold us in unacceptable contempt''". [[Euloge N'Zobo]], of the ''[[Observatoire Congolais des Droits de l'Homme]]'' (Congolese Observatory for Human Rights) noted that "''the acts of conservation do not pay attention to those primarily concerned''". :* [[Isidore Mvouba]], Congolese Prime Minister proposed the creation of a Panafrican system of certification of forest products for export, which would support commercialisation and make it possible to fight against illegal cuts. * [[Hominidae|Great Apes]]: [[Joseph Kabila]], president of the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], announced on [[5 February]] in [[Brazzaville]] the organisation in [[Kinshasa]] in September 2005 of the first intergovernmental world conference on Great Apes. In [[Central Africa]], four [[species]] of Great Apes are threatened with extinction, because of deforestation and the various wars that have been held there these last years. * [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]: a report by the ''Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature'' (Institute for Nature Conservation) denounces the massacre of hundreds of elephants by poachers and soldiers in the Epulu reserve in the North-East of the country. An ivory traffic developed in 2004 in spite of the fact that the elephant is protected by the [[Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna]] (CITES), which prohibits ivory trade. * [[Desertification]] : a regional workshop on the implementation of the [[United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification]] (CCD) was held in [[Ouagadougou]] ([[Burkina Faso]]) on [[11 February]] and brought together the "focal points" of the CCD, the [[non-governmental organization]]s and the [[United Nations Development Programme]] (UNDP). Being organized by the CILSS ([[Permanent Interstate Committee for drought control in the Sahel]]), it gave the participants the opportunity to exchange their experiences on the fight against desertification. * The second African congress on oil joined in [[Algiers]] on 16 and [[17 February]] [[2005]] the ministers for energy of twelve oil-producing countries of the African continent, and examined the means necessary to fight the pollution of the Mediterranean and African coasts by [[hydrocarbon]]s. * [[Somalia]]: The [[United Nations Environment Programme]] made public on [[23 February]] [[2005]] a report which reveals that the [[tsunami]] of [[26 December]] [[2004]] surfaced [[radioactive waste]] immersed illegally by Western countries on the coasts of [[Somalia]] in the 1980s and 1990s. * [[Uganda]]: Dr. [[Aryamanya Mugisha]], executive of the [[National Environment Management Authority]] (NEMA) announced in February that the production and importation of plastic bags would be prohibited in Uganda before the end of the year. * The United Nations [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO) estimated on [[26 May]] [[2005]] that "''the [[climatic change]] threatens to increase the number of famished in the world by reducing the surface of farm lands in the developing countries''" and particularly in the countries of [[sub-Saharan]] Africa because of "''their low capacity to adapt to the climatic change or to compensate for the fall of production with the import of food''". * [[Benin]]: On [[1 June]], the "National Day of the Tree", instituted in 1985, [[Fatiou Akplogan]], minister for agriculture, invited each Beninese to plant a tree to limit the effects of desertification. * [[Environmental education]]: opening in [[Ouagadougou]] of the Planet'ERE forum devoted to environmental education. The third edition of this French-speaking forum was inaugurated by [[Blaise Compaoré]], president of [[Burkina Faso]] in the presence of [[Amadou Toumani Touré]], president of [[Mali]] and [[Hama Amadou]], prime minister of [[Niger]]. ==Human and natural catastrophes== * [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]: during the night of Saturday [[1 January]], torrential rains caused a death and destroyed a hundred houses in [[Uvira]]. * During the [[African Union]] summit in [[Libreville]] on [[10 January]] [[2005]], [[Gabon]]ese president [[Omar Bongo Ondimba]] proposed the creation of an African organization of urgent humanitarian intervention in the event of natural disaster or conflict. * On the occasion of the world conference on prevention of natural disasters, [[Salvano Briceno]], responsible for the international strategy of the [[UN]] for the prevention of disasters, insisted on the fact that "''it is very important to concentrate on Africa because the vulnerability of the African countries is big''". According to a study of the UN, 80% of the biological disasters (mainly associated with epidemics) took place in Africa during the decade 1994-2003. * [[Migratory locust]]s: the [[FAO]] recommends the countries of Western and North-Western Africa ([[Mali]], [[Senegal]], [[Mauritania]], [[Gambia]], [[Guinea-Bissau]], [[Morocco]], [[Algeria]]) to continue the fight against the migratory locusts and to remain vigilant in spite of the recent improvements. An international scientific seminar on the migratory locust was organized in [[Dakar]] from 11 to [[13 January]]. [[Senegal]]ese president [[Abdoulaye Wade]] calls upon "''all the Heads of State, both of the developed countries and of those in the developing process, all the sponsors and all the specialized agencies, to combine our efforts, in order to end this plague, which goes back in the mists of time''". * [[Madagascar]]: a [[tropical storm]], baptized Ernest, struck the island of Madagascar on 22 and [[23 January]]. A provisional assessment of [[28 January]] counts 7 dead and 79 disappeared in the south of the island. Nearly a thousand people are affected. * [[Nigeria]]: vice-president [[Atiku Abubakar]] announced on [[4 February]] the installation of an advanced alarm system against urgencies and catastrophes, which should cover all [[West Africa]]. * [[Mozambique]]: the regional Water Administration of the [[Zambezi]] announced on [[9 February]] [[2005]] that the floods caused by the rise of the level of the immense Zambezi river, due to strong rains since the end of January, have already affected 18.825 people, mainly peasants of the provinces of [[Tete Province|Tete]] and [[Sofala Province|Sofala]] (center of Mozambique). Approximately 15 square kilometres of crops ([[rice]], [[Maize|maize/corn]], [[peanut]] and [[Cassava|cassava/manioc]]) are lost. * [[Mali]]: The Social, Cultural and Economic Council of Mali is studying during two weeks the different questions related to prevention and management of natural disasters with the objective to provide suggestions and recommendations to the authorities on prevention and management of environmental catastrophes (bush fires and deforestation, air and water pollution, sedimentation of rivers and proliferation of the water hyacinth in the [[Niger River]] bed). * [[Ethiopia]]: in the area of [[Somalia]], 70 km to the east of [[Addis Ababa]], the rise of the river [[Wade Shebelle]] in April 2005 brought with it floods in more than 30 villages, causing the death of 134 people. Aid has trouble to arrive because of the presence of many crocodiles in the disaster zone. ==Water== * An international water conference organized by the [[African Development Bank]] took place on [[31 March]] [[2005]] in [[Paris]] in order to advance the African project "Initiative for Water Supply and Sanitation in Rural Africa". [[Omar Kabbaj]], president of the African Development Bank, announced that "''the balance of the resource needs stands at about 460 million dollars per year up to the end of 2007. It is our hope that the international donor community would, over time, rise to the challenge of financing the remaining resource requirements''". ==Health== ===Malaria=== {{main|Malaria}} * Following the recommendations of the [[World Health Organization]], [[Nigeria]] decided to stop the prescription of [[chloroquine]], the parasite responsible for malaria becoming resistant to this molecule used until today. Nigeria will be using [[Artemisinin]], a more effective but also more expensive drug. * The "Africa Live" festival, held in [[Dakar]] ([[Senegal]]) on 12 and [[13 March]] [[2005]], presented several great names of African music, like [[Mali]]ans [[Ali Farka Touré]], [[Salif Keïta]], [[Oumou Sangaré]], [[Rokia Traoré]], [[Tinariwen]], [[Tiken Jah Fakoly]] of [[Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Cameroon|Cameronian]] [[Manu Dibango]], [[Algeria]]n [[Khaled (musician)|Khaled]], [[Senegal]]ese [[Didier Awadi]], [[Baaba Maal]] and [[Youssou N'Dour]], and the [[France|French]] rapper [[Joey Starr]]. These concerts are dedicated to the fight against malaria in Africa, responsible for the death of a child every 30 seconds on the African continent. * [[Senegal]]: The [[Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria]] refused to grant a complementary financing, requested by Senegal for the fight against malaria, considering that the first phase of the program had not reached the expected results. * A study by the team of [[Robert Snow]] of the [[Kenya Medical Research Institute]] in [[Nairobi]], published on [[10 March]] [[2005]] in [[Nature (journal)|Nature]] estimates that approximately 515 million people were infected by malaria in 2002. 70% of the cases were recorded in Africa. This disease is responsible for the death of a million people each year, of which 90% in Africa. * The 5th forum of the [[Roll Back Malaria]] (RBM) Global Partnership was held from 14 to [[19 November]] in [[Yaounde]], [[Cameroon]]. It brought together 1500 researchers, doctors and politicians to make a state of affairs and "''to launch a call to urgent action to contain the most devastating killer in Africa, malaria''". ===Aids=== {{main|HIV|AIDS}} * [[Nelson Mandela]], former president of [[South Africa]] and well known face of the combat against apartheid, announced on [[6 January]] at a press conference in [[Johannesburg]], that his 56 year old son [[Makghato Mandela]] died of HIV-AIDS. "''Speaking out is the only means of stopping AIDS being seen as an extraordinary disease, causing people to go to hell rather than to paradise''", declared the man that for several years fights the taboo and discriminations related to this disease. * [[Guinea-Bissau]]: [[Brazil]] will offer an [[antiretroviral]] treatment to Guinean AIDS patients (officially 43 000) following an agreement signed by the two countries which also includes medical staff training and care for hiv positives. * [[Madagascar]]: the [[African Development Bank#Group Entities|African Development Fund]] (ADF) decided on [[17 January]] on a grant of nine million dollars for the fight against AIDS and [[sexually transmitted disease]]s, with which Madagascar will provide blood transfusion safety and better access to preventive and curative care. * The fourth edition of the "[[Scenarios from Africa]]" contest was launched on [[1 February]]. It is aimed at young Africans of less than 25 years. Coordinated by the "Global Dialogues" trust, it has the objective to associate young Africans with the production of HIV/Aids sensibilisation messages * The second conference of African First Ladies on AIDS was held in [[Ouagadougou]] on [[9 February]] [[2005]]. * [[Côte d'Ivoire]] : [[IRIN]], the United Nations news service in an article of [[11 February]] [[2005]] entitled "''Côte d'Ivoire: HIV/AIDS time-bomb ticking away in rebel north,''" declares that the enduring conflict in Côte d'Ivoire is likely to cause a true explosion of the AIDS epidemic, in particular because of the non-access to medical care of the population living in the north, the area controlled by the [[Forces nouvelles]]. [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=45520&SelectRegion=West_Africa&SelectCountry=COTE_D_IVOIRE] * The [[Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS|Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS]] (UNAIDS) on [[4 March]] [[2005]] published a report entitled "''AIDS in Africa: Three scenarios to 2025''" in which it indicates that nearly 90 million Africans are threatened by the AIDS virus between today and 2025 if nothing is done to stop the plague and to more generously finance the distribution of medicine. * [[Mali]]: [[Malick Sène]], executive secretary of the ''Haut conseil de lutte contre le sida'' (High Council of Fight Against AIDS, HCLCS), announced on [[17 March]] [[2005]] during the official launch ceremony of the Multisector anti-AIDS Project (MAP) that the [[World Bank]] will finance this project up to 25,5 million dollars. Although Mali has a "non alarming" prevalence rate of 1,7%, Malick Sène revealed that the determining factors in the propagation of AIDS in the country are very alarming: ignorance of AIDS by the young, large mobility of people, a weak cover by medical infrastructure of the territory and cultural practices and traits feminizing the plague. * [[Zimbabwe]]: The [[United Nations Children's Fund]] (UNICEF) applied on [[18 March]] to the international community for financial assistance for Zimbabwe to fight AIDS. This country, that did not receive aid since 2004, has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the area, with 24,6% of the population affected, or 1,8 million people living with the virus. * In [[Durban]], [[South Africa]], the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) organized from the 11 to [[13 April]] a meeting, joining specialists and social workers of 20 African countries, discussing the problems of nutrition of AIDS patients. In Africa, according to [[Lee Jong-Wook]], director general of the WHO, "''the majority of the 30 million people infected by HIV does not have secure access to the fundamental nutrients that any human being requires to stay in good health''". * [[Ethiopia]]: according to a study of [[United Nations]] experts, published in [[Addis Ababa]] on [[13 April]] [[2005]], the number of AIDS deaths, which amounted to 900 000 in 2003, could double between today and 2008 "''if the current tendency persists''". * The [[United Nations]] [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO) indicates in an official statement that "''of the 34 million orphans in [[sub-Saharan Africa]], more than 11 million are AIDS orphans. It is estimated that towards 2010, up to 20 million children could lose one or both parents because of the disease. These children constitute a population at risk that should be protected from malnutrition, diseases and sexual exploitation''". The FAO established 34 schools in [[Kenya]], [[Mozambique]], [[Namibia]] and [[Zambia]] to educate a thousand orphans in agricultural techniques. [http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2005/102183/index.html] ===Cholera=== {{main|Cholera}} * An epidemic of cholera rages in [[Bujumbura]], the capital of [[Burundi]]. On [[20 January]], an [[United Nations]] executive announced that 105 people were infected and that 5 deaths had been recorded. * [[Senegal]]: The Minister for health and prevention confirmed on [[28 February]] that the town of [[Touba]] ([[Diourbel]] area) was affected by cholera. An epidemic is to be feared in this town of two million inhabitants which does not have a water treatment network. The epidemic spread to several areas of the Country. An evaluation by the ministry for health on [[9 April]] stated 6059 cases and 81 deaths since [[28 March]]. On [[6 April]], Prime Minister [[Macky Sall]] announced the installation of a crisis cell to fight the propagation of cholera in Senegal. A day of national mobilization against cholera took place on the public radio ''Radio Senegal'' On Wednesday [[13 April]] to "launch new behavior in the population which will help them protect themselves". * [[Equatorial Guinea]]: an epidemic of cholera rages since the beginning of February in [[Malabo]] and [[Bata, Equatorial Guinea|Bata]]. According to the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO), on [[10 March]] [[2005]] 4400 cases of cholera were listed, involving 30 deaths. Certain medical sources suggest more than one hundred deaths. * [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]: epidemic of cholera in refugee camps in [[Ituri]], mainly in the camp of [[Kafé]], east of [[Bunia]]. The [[United Nations]] [[Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]] (OCHA) listed 433 cases between [[26 March]] and [[3 April]], including 20 deaths. * [[Cameroon]]: epidemics of cholera rage in several areas of the country. In the [[Moungo division]], on [[12 April]] fifteen deaths and a hundred cases were counted two weeks after the start of the epidemic. In the province of [[Bafoussam]], 40 cases of cholera were recorded on [[13 April]]. * [[Guinea-Bissau]]: an epidemic of cholera rages since [[11 June]]. On [[4 July]] [[1027]] cases were listed, involving 12 deaths. The epidemic, that started in the capital [[Bissau]], propagated into several areas. * [[Niger]]: an epidemic of cholera rages in Niger since July. 383 cases, of which 46 mortal, were recorded on [[18 September]]. ===Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease)=== {{main|Dracunculiasis}} * [[Mali]] president [[Amadou Toumani Touré]] expressed his disappointment with his country's results in eradicating the [[Guinea Worm Disease]]. Mali has seen a reduction of 58% of the cases, [[Togo]] of 63%, [[Nigeria]] of 66% and [[Burkina]] Faso of 73%. According to the [[World Health Organization]], [[Senegal]] is the first African country to have eradicated this disease. ===Pneumonic plague=== {{main|Bubonic plague}} * [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]: the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) confirmed on [[3 March]] [[2005]] that 16 deaths caused by the pneumonic plague (of 57 suspected cases) were recorded in the North-East of the country. ===Poliomyelitis=== {{main|Poliomyelitis}} * The Ministers for health of [[Niger]], [[Nigeria]], [[Egypt]], [[Burkina Faso]], [[Côte d'Ivoire]], the [[Central African Republic]], [[Sudan]] and [[Chad]] met on [[13 January]] [[2005]] in [[Geneva]] in the headquarters of the [[World Health Organization]]. They decided to organize a series of vaccination campaigns against poliomyelitis and to reinforce epidemiologic monitoring. In 2004, the number of African children infected by poliomyelitis doubled to 1.037. * In [[Sudan]], a vaccination campaign against poliomyelitis started in [[Upper Nile, Sudan|Upper Nile]] and [[Bahr al Ghazal]] (Sudan). A million children under five will be vaccinated soon. * [[Nigeria]] and [[Benin]]: [[Olusegun Obasanjo]], president of Nigeria and [[Mathieu Kérékou]], president of Benin, met in February 2005 on the border between the two countries to launch the last stage of their poliomyelitis eradication plan. [[Tandja Mamadou]], president of [[Niger]], could not be present. * Launch of the second ''Days of synchronized vaccination against poliomyelitis'' for approximately 80 million children from 0 to 5 years in the countries of Central and West Africa on [[8 April]] [[2005]]. In [[Mali]] 3,6 million children are involved, in [[Cameroon]] 4 million children, 2 million in [[Guinea]], 2 million in [[Benin]]. ===Marburg hemorrhagic fever=== {{main|Marburg virus}} * [[Angola]]: an epidemic of the Marbourg fever raged in Angola. 280 deaths was listed on [[2 May]] [[2005]], 7 of the 18 provinces are affected. It principally affects the province of [[Uige]], on the border with the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. The epidemic broke out in October 2004 but worsened since early March 2005. There is no vaccine nor medical treatment against this extremely contagious disease. Victims show a high fever followed by internal and external bleedings. The virus is transmitted through bodily fluids of a patient. It initially affected children under five years. The medical personnel is now affected. * The [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] was put on "general alert" on [[30 March]] [[2005]] with the installation of a "quarantine line" in the province of [[Bas-Congo]], bordering on [[Angola]]. * The [[World Health Organization]] estimated on [[8 April]] that the border countries of [[Angola]] ([[Namibia]], [[Republic of the Congo]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and [[Zambia]]) should be "vigilant". * [[Angola]]: on [[19 September]], the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) announced that the epidemic could be declared finished in three weeks. No new case had been recorded for 21 days. The epidemic affected 374 people and killed 329, according to medical authorities and the WHO. ===Ebola=== {{main|Ebola}} * [[Republic of the Congo]]: at least 9 people died between 4 and [[14 May]] of a disease, of which the symptoms point to [[Ebola hemorrhagic fever]]. ===Yellow Fever=== {{main|Yellow Fever}} * [[Mali]]: an epidemic of [[Yellow Fever]] broke out in the area of [[Kayes]], where 35 suspect cases, of which 14 with mortal result, were identified between 7 and [[27 October]]. ===Sickle-cell disease=== {{main|Sickle-cell disease}} * The World General Assembly against [[Sickle-cell disease]] took place from 14 to [[17 June]] [[2005]] in [[Brazzaville]] ([[Republic of the Congo]]). Sickle-cell disease is a genetic blood disease, primarily touching Africa. * [[Republic of the Congo]]: the government announced the establishment within the ''Centre hospitalier universitaire'' (CHU) in [[Brazzaville]] of a research and action center for sickle-cell disease. ===Meningitis=== {{main|Meningitis}} * [[Sudan]]: the [[United Nations]] announced that 27 cases of meningitis, involving two deaths, were referenced in [[Darfur]]. The UN asked the [[World Health Organization]] to provide 160 000 [[vaccine]] doses. * [[Ethiopia]]: an epidemic rages since November 2004. [[Tiruwork Tafesse]], Ethiopian health minister, announced on [[13 April]] that 433 cases were listed, causing 40 deaths. A vaccination campaign is being carried out. ===Tuberculosis=== {{main|Tuberculosis}} * The African health ministers, meeting in [[Maputo]] ([[Mozambique]]) during the 55th session of the Regional Commission on Africa of the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO), decided to make the fight on tuberculosis an urgency, since this disease is responsible for the death of 540 000 Africans each year. ===Typhoid fever=== {{main|Typhoid fever}} * [[South Africa]]: an epidemic of typhoid fever broke out in September in the province of [[Mpumalanga]]. 526 cases were referenced, of which 4 deaths, according to a report published Monday [[19 September]]. [[Treatment Action Campaign]] (TAC), the principal AIDS activist organization, considers this assessment to be underestimated and reports 49 deaths. ===Vaccination=== * Annual meeting of the directors of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), West Africa block, of the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) from 24 to [[28 January]] [[2005]] in [[Ouagadougou]] ([[Burkina Faso]]). ===Infant and maternal mortality=== * [[Family planning]]: a conference on the repositioning of family planning in West Africa was held in [[Accra]] ([[Ghana]]) from 15 to [[18 February]] [[2005]]. West Africa is the area with the highest infant and maternal mortality rates on the African continent. More than 8.000 women die every year while giving birth. * [[Madagascar]]: according to a demographic study, reported by news service [[Xinhua]], approximately 100 000 children under the age of five die each year of [[malaria]], [[diarrhea]] and [[respiratory infection]]s, exacerbated by [[malnutrition]]. * On the occasion of the [[World Health Day]] on [[7 April]] [[2005]] (this year's theme was "Make every mother and child count"), Dr. [[Luis Gomes Sambo]], director of [[WHO]] Africa, recalling that in Africa "''every 60 minutes 130 new-born babies die from causes that are largely preventable''", invited the African governments to reinforce health systems with qualified personnel. ===Other health aspects=== * [[Morocco]]: installation of basic medical insurance for active and retired employees of the public and private sector and their beneficiaries, affecting approximately 5 million people (17% of the population). ==Children's rights== * [[Kofi Annan]], [[United Nations]] [[Secretary General]], presented on [[16 February]] [[2005]] at the UN [[Security Council]] an extended action plan for systematic monitoring and signaling of cruelty against children (recruitment of child soldiers, abduction, mutilation, murder, rape or other sexual ill-treatment of children, attacks on schools or hospitals) in conflict areas. Although the report notes improvements in several countries ([[Angola]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Erythrea]], [[Liberia]], [[Sierra Leone]]), it includes a list of countries where the situation is alarming, in particular [[Burundi]], [[Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Somalia]], [[Sudan]] and [[Uganda]]. * Birth registration: the [[United Nations Children's Fund]] (UNICEF) and the [[United Nations Population Fund]] (UNFPA), in association with the [[non-governmental organization]] [[Plan international]], launched on [[28 February]] [[2005]] (in the margins of the Panafrican Festival of cinema and television of [[Ouagadougou]] ([[Burkina Faso]])) a campaign to promote birth registration in West and Central Africa. The organizations specify: "''In [[sub-Saharan Africa]], seven new-born babies out of ten aren't recorded at the registry office (...) Without certificate of birth, the children have more problems accessing basic social services (health, education, etc). In addition, they are without legal protection and vulnerable to any form of exploitation''". * [[UNICEF]]’s "Prize for the Promotion of Children’s Rights" was handed out during the 19th edition of the [[Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou]] on [[4 March]] [[2005]] to the [[Senegal]]ese director [[Ben Diogaye Bèye]] for his film ''Un amour d'enfant'' ("A child's love"). The "Prize for Children’s Rights" was presented to [[Ntshavheni Wa Muruli]] ([[South Africa]]) for "The Wooden Camera". * [[Republic of the Congo]]: The ministry for social affairs organized on [[25 March]] a deliberation meeting on care for the street children, with participation of [[non-governmental organizations]], [[UNICEF]], [[UNESCO]] and the [[International Rescue Committee]] (IRC). More than one thousand children live in the streets of the capital [[Brazzaville]]. * [[Morocco]]: According to a study of the Ministry of Labour and the [[International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour]], made public in April, approximately 600 000 Morrocan children work, that is 11% of Moroccan children. * [[Benin]]: from 2 to [[9 May]], the [[NGO]] [[Plan Bénin]] organized in [[Cotonou]] a workshop on comic strips for children and teenagers of Benin, [[Burkina Faso]], [[Guinea-Bissau]], [[Mali]] and [[Togo]]. These children can use comic strips to express themselves about their rights and about their vision of development. * A '''regional consultation on violence against children in Central and Western Africa''' took place in [[Bamako]] ([[Mali]]) on 24 and [[25 May]] [[2005]]. It was organized by the [[United Nations Children's Fund]] (UNICEF) and the [[Mali]]an government, and brought together delegates of governments and [[NGO]]'s of 24 countries and international organizations. They issued several recommendations towards African governments on the protection of children against violence (adoption and application of laws prohibiting corporal punishment and all forms of violence within the family, increased sensitizing of parents to assume responsibility for the nonviolent education of their children, punishment of sexual abuse of children by teachers, creation of council centers and training of counselors for child victims of violence, increase in the number of juvenile courts) and on the participation of children in all the stages of the development process of projects, programs and policies in their favour, as well as on the support of initiatives, developed by children to fight violence. They request the increase of budgets for child protection programmes and the generalization of child benefit systems to fight poverty. ==Demography== {{main|Demography}} * A scientific report by the [[Université Catholique de Louvain|Catholic University of Leuven]] (UCL) was submitted on [[8 March]] [[2005]] to Panapress news agency in [[Brussels]]: :* The [[demographic growth]] in Africa was 2,4% in 2001. The fertility rate was 5,5 children per woman (1,8 to 3,5 in the rest of the world). In West Africa, it reaches 7 children per woman. :* Life expectancy is 47 years on average (63 years in the rest of the world). AIDS is responsible for the fall of life expectancy in many African countries (in [[Botswana]], life expectancy decreased from 65 years in 1990 to 35 years currently, the level of 1940) :* [[Sub-Saharan Africa]] represents 10% of the world population. :* 34 of the 39 poorest countries in the world are African. :* The rate of illiteracy is 38%. ==Sports== * [[Supreme Council for Sport in Africa]] (CSSA): The 20th session of the general assembly of the ''Supreme Council for Sport in Africa'' (CSSA) in [[Algiers]] from 19 to [[21 April]] adopted a new charter for the promotion of African sports, constituting a guide of reference for the [[African Union]], in accordance with the "[[Maputo resolution]]" which advocates ''the construction of a common policy aiming at putting physical education and sports at the service of sustainable development in Africa in general, and of the youth in particular''. Different resolutions were adopted, inviting African States to start action programmes against [[doping (sport)|doping]] and adhere to the [[declaration of Copenhagen]]; to set up ''conditions favourable to an effective participation of women in sports activities, by introducing material conditions favorable to the development of female sports''. ===Athletics=== * The first [[Panafrican Meeting]] was held on [[April 6]] in [[Bamako]], [[Mali]]. * [[Republic of Congo]]: The International Athletics Meet in [[Brazzaville]], ([[French language]]: ''Meeting international d’athlétisme de Brazzaville''), organised by the City Council of Brazzaville, was held on [[May 8]] with the assistance of the [[African Confederation of Athletics]]. The event gathered athletes from about 30 African, [[Europe]]an and [[Asia]]n countries. ===[[Basketball]]=== * The 23rd African Basketball Championship was held in [[Algiers]], [[Algeria]]. The [[Angolan]] team finally beat the [[Senegalese]] team in the finals on [[August 24]] to become the champions. * The 11th African Female Champion Clubs Basketball Cup ([[French language]]: ''Coupe d'Afrique des clubs champions féminins de basket'') took place from [[2 October]] to [[9 October]] in [[Bamako]], [[Mali]], and was won by [[Djoliba AC]] of Mali. * The 20th African Male Champion Clubs Basketball Cup ([[French language]]: ''Coupe d'Afrique des clubs champions masculins de basket'') took place from [[26 November]] to [[3 December]] in [[Abidjan]]. * The 19th FIBA Africa Championship for Women basketball was won by Nigeria, beating the Senegal team in the final on [[28 December]]. ===[[Cycling]]=== * The 3rd International Cyclists Tour of [[Cameroon]] ([[French language]]: ''Grand tour cycliste international du Cameroun'') was held from [[26 February]] to [[12 March]], with cyclists from twenty countries taking part. * [[Burkina Faso]]: The First "Loop of Cotton" ([[French language]]: ''Boucle du coton'') took place from [[16 May]] to [[22 May]] with a 706.2 km course. 13 teams from Burkina Faso, [[Benin]], [[Mali]], [[Guinea]], [[Niger]] and [[Togo]] competed. This race was organized as a homage to the African cotton producers. * The 8th edition of the ''[[Tour du Senegal]]'' took place from [[22 September]] to [[2 October]] [[2005]]. The course, 1234 kilometers long, consists of a prologue, 8 stages and a ''critérium'' and touches the towns of [[Rufisque]], [[Kaolack]], [[Thiadiaye]], [[Diourbel]], [[Somone]], [[Thiès]], [[Saint-Louis, Senegal|Saint-Louis]], [[Louga]] and [[Dakar]]. 17 teams of 6 cyclists from different African countries ([[Senegal]], [[Angola]], [[Morocco]], [[Cameroon]]), from Europe ([[France]], [[the Netherlands]], [[Italy]]) and from Asia took part in it. * [[Burkina Faso]]: The 19th ''[[Tour du Faso]]'' which was held between [[26 October]] and [[6 November]] [[2005]] was won by the [[burkinabé]] [[Jérémie Ouedraogo]]. ===[[Fencing]]=== * [[Abderrahmane Lamari]] of [[Algeria]] was re-elected as the president of the [[African Fencing Confederation]] during the meeting of September [[2005]] in [[Dakar]]. ===[[Soccer]]=== * The junior [[African Cup of Nations]] in [[Cotonou]] ([[Benin]]). 8 countries took part in it: [[Nigeria]], [[Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Mali]], [[Benin]] (Group A), [[Egypt]], [[Angola]], [[Morocco]], [[Lesotho]] (group B). On [[26 January]], Nigeria beat Morocco and Egypt beat Benin in the semi finals. The finals took place on [[29 January]]. It was marked by the victory of Nigeria over Egypt; Benin won the 3th place, beating Morocco. The next junior [[African Cup of Nations]] will take place in the [[Republic of the Congo]]. * [[Samuel Eto'o]], [[Cameronian]] attacker of FC Barcelona was elected Best African Football Player of 2004 by the Moroccan magazine [[Al-Mountakhab]], following a poll among 21 African and European media. * The tournament of the four member countries of the [[Union of West African Football Federations]] (UFOA) took place from 21 to [[27 February]] [[2005]] in [[Bamako]]. This competition, baptized "tournament of friendship" was won by [[Mali]]. * The [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF) gave the award of Best African Football Player of 2004 to [[Naima Laouadi]] ([[Algeria]]). * For the second year on row, the ''Ballon d'Or 2004'' ("Golden Ball", the "African Footballer of the Year" award) was given to [[Cameronian]] [[Samuel Eto'o]] by the [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF) on [[15 February]] [[2005]]. * The 6th edition of the ''Coupe d’Afrique des Nations des moins de 17 ans'' ("African Cup of Nations for under 17 year olds") was held in [[Gambia]] from 6 to [[21 May]] [[2005]]. It was won by Gambia which beat [[Ghana]] in the finals on [[22 May]] [[2005]]. ===[[Handball]]=== * 19th [[2005 World Men's Handball Championship|World Handball Championship for men]] is held from [[January 26]] to [[February 6]] in [[Tunisia]]. President [[Zine El Abidine Ben Ali]] launches the tournament at [[Radès]]. ===[[Rugby football|Rugby]]=== * The "Super 16 Trophy", an international [[rugby football|rugby]] tournament, took place from [[31 May]] to [[5 June]] in [[Ouagadougou]], with teams from [[Benin]], [[Burkina Faso]], [[Mali]], [[Niger]] and [[Togo]]. ===[[Amateur wrestling|Wrestling]]=== * From 18 to [[25 April]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] organized the first Central African championship of associated wrestling styles, with participants from [[Cameroon]], the [[Central African Republic]], the [[Republic of the Congo]], the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and [[Chad]]. * The 6th [[Greco-Roman wrestling]] championship of Africa was held on [[30 April]] and [[1 May]] in [[Ouagadougou]] ([[Burkina Faso]]) ===[[Table tennis]]=== * In [[Brazzaville]] on [[26 January]], [[Egypt]] won the finals of the African championship of male and female champion clubs. ===By country=== * [[Kenya]]: [[Ochilo Ayacko]], minister for sports, announces that Kenya wishes to present its candidature for the organization of the [[Olympic Games]] of 2016. * [[Senegal]]: the athlete [[Ne Ndoye]] (African [[long jump]] champion) on [[19 January]] [[2005]] received the ''Lion d'Or'' ("Golden Lion") which rewards the best Senegalese sportsman of the year. ==Culture== ===Literature=== * [[Rwanda]]: The first novel on the [[Rwandan Genocide|Tutsi genocide]] written by a Rwandan, ''Le Feu sous la soutane'' ("The Fire Under The Cassock", [[Editions L'Esprit Frappeur]]), by [[Benjamin Sehene]], was published on [[1 June]] [[2005]]. * [[Mali]]: the fifth edition of the ''Etonnants Voyageurs'' festival ("Astonishing travellers"), led by [[Moussa Konaté]] and [[Michel Le Bris]] took place from 7 to [[13 February]] [[2005]] in Mali, in the capital [[Bamako]] and several other cities of the country ([[Gao]], [[Kidal]], [[Koulikoro]], [[Ségou]], [[Timbuktu]], [[Kayes]], [[Kita, Mali|Kita]], [[Sikasso]], [[Mopti]]). Part of the manifestation are literary workshops, literary [[Coffeehouse (event)|cafés]] and meetings on various topics: "Culture and commerce: defending cultural diversity" or "Literature and development: new perspectives". Several writers are invited: [[Kangni Alem]] ([[Togo]]), [[Florent Koua-Zotti]] ([[Benin]]), [[Abdourahman Waberi]] ([[Djibouti]]), [[Abdelkader Djemai]] ([[Algeria]]), [[Alpha Mandé Diarra]] ([[Mali]]) and [[Abdoulaye Ascofaré]] ([[Mali]]). In parallel, the second edition of ''Etonnants Scénarios'' ("Astonishing scenarios") was held in [[Bamako]], welcoming professionals of the African cinema. * [[Senegal]]: The [[Goethe-Institut|Goethe Institute]] of Senegal organized on 9 and [[10 April]] a colloquium on the oeuvre of the Senegalese writer [[Aminata Sow Fall]], entitled ''Une femme de lettres africaine de dimension internationale'' ("An African female writer of international importance"). * [[Angola]]: [[John Bella]], Angolan writer, member of the board of directors of the ''Brigade Jeune de Littérature Angolaise'' ("Young Brigade of Angolan Literature", BJLA) proposed on [[11 April]] to create an award for [[youth literature]], to incite writers to write for children, developing in this fashion the taste for reading in children. * The ''Prix Ahmadou Kourouma 2005'' (named after the [[Côte d'Ivoire]] [[Ahmadou Kourouma|writer]], deceased in 2003) was awarded on [[28 April]] to [[Tanella Boni]] of Côte d'Ivoire for his novel ''Matins de couvre-feu'' ("Curfew Mornings", Editions du Serpent à plumes). * The ''Prix Sony Labou Tansi 2005'' for French-speaking theatre, awarded at the ''Festival des francophonies'' in [[Limousin (région)|Limousin]], was granted to [[Mali]] writer [[Moussa Konaté]]. * [[Alain Mabanckou]], [[Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] writer, received the ''Prix des cinq continents de la francophonie'', awarded by the ''[[Agence de la francophonie]]'', for his novel ''Verre cassé'' ("Broken Glass"). ===Film=== * [[Tunisia]]: The fourth edition of the ''[[Festival international du film de l'environnement]]'' ("International Festival of Environmental Film") in [[Kairouan]] (Tunisia) ended Saturday [[12 February]] with the award ceremony. ''Tortues de mer, le dernier cri d'alarme'' ("Sea turtle, the last cry for help") by the [[Lebanon|Lebanese]] director [[Mohamed Sarfi]] received the [[Tapis d'or]]. * [[Mali]]: 3rd edition of the [[rencontres cinématographiques de Bamako|Cinematographic Meetings]] of [[Bamako]] on 24 and [[25 February]] [[2005]], organized by the ''[[Union des créateurs et entrepreneurs du cinéma et de l'audiovisuel de l'Afrique de l'Ouest]]'' ("Union of Western African film and audiovisual creators and producers", UCECAO). [[Souleymane Cissé]], [[Mali]]an director and president of the UCECAO declared that "''these meetings must be a place for exchanging and sharing experiences on the problems of African cinema, and an occasion for the actors to think about an economically viable West African cinema''". This edition was placed under a sign of solidarity with the war victim children of Darfour. * [[Burkina Faso]]: the 19th edition of the [[Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou]] took place from [[26 February]] to [[5 March]] [[2005]] in the Burkina Faso [[Ouagadougou|capital]]. The ''[[Étalon de Yennenga|Étalon d'or de Yennenga]]'' (Grand prix of feature film) was won by ''Drum'' by [[Zola Maseko]] ([[South Africa]]). * The 19th edition of the [[Fribourg International Film Festival]] ([[Fribourg]], [[Switzerland]]) closed on [[13 March]] [[2005]]. The "''Regard d'Or''" went to the [[France|French]]-[[Burkinabe|Burkinabé]] film ''la Nuit de la vérité'' ("The Night Of The Truth") by [[Fanta Régina Nacro]]. The Special Jury Award was handed to the [[Belgium|Belgo]]-[[Morocco|Moroccan]] film ''l'Enfant endormi'' ("The Sleaping Child") by [[Yasmine Kassari]]. * The 9th edition of the ''[[Ecrans noirs]]'' festival ("Black Screens") was held in [[Yaounde]] and [[Douala]] in [[Cameroon]] from 4 to [[12 June]] [[2005]]. ===Music=== * Senegal: Death on [[13 February]] [[2005]] of [[Ndiaga Mbaye]] (song writer, performer and well known [[griot]]) in [[Dakar]]. * Music: The [[Grammy Awards of 2005|47th]] [[Grammy Awards]] were held in [[Los Angeles]] ([[United States]]) on [[13 February]] [[2005]]. [[Senegal]]ese singer [[Youssou N'Dour]] received a Grammy for his album ''Égypte'' in the category [[Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album|Best Contemporary World Music Album]]. The [[South Africa]]n band [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]] was awarded for its album ''[[Raise Your Spirit Higher]]'' in the category [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album|Best Traditional World Music Album]]. * At the [[Victoires de la musique 2005]] (Paris, [[5 March]] [[2005]]), [[Mali]]an singers [[Amadou & Mariam]] were rewarded in the category ''Reggae/Ragga/World Album of the Year'' for their album ''Dimanche à Bamako'' ("Sunday in Bamako"). * [[Burkina Faso]]: [[Bil Aka Kora]] received the [[Kundé d’or]] on [[29 April]]. It was the second time this [[Burkinabe|Burkinabé]] artist won this prestigious Burkinabé musical award. ===Photography=== * [[Cameroon]]: 1st biennial of Photography and Visual Arts, in [[Douala]], Cameroon from 14 to [[23 January]] [[2005]]. Fourteen photographers and seventeen painters ([[Africa]]n, [[African diaspora|Afro-Caribbean]] and [[Europe]]an) expose their works on the topic "Traces and Memory". * [[Mali]]: the 6th [[African Photography Encounters]] were held from the 10 to [[17 November]] [[2005]] in [[Bamako]]. 37 photographers of 17 African countries expose their photographs around the topic "Another world". ===Festivals and other cultural aspects=== * [[Mali]]: 5th edition of the ''Festival of the desert'' in [[Essakane]] from 7 to [[9 January]] [[2005]]. * [[Mali]]: 5th edition of the ''Tamadacht'' festival from 18 to [[20 January]] in the [[Azawagh]] valley. Organized by the commune of [[Andéramboukane]] to promote the [[Tuareg]] culture, this festival brings together [[Mali]]ans and [[Niger]]iens. * [[Cameroon]]: The fifth edition of the jazz and blues festival ''Jazz sans frontière'' ("Jazz without borders") was held in [[Yaounde]] from 21 to [[24 February]] [[2005]]. Among the performers were [[Etienne Mbappé]] and [[Kayou Jazz and Roots Project]]. * [[Morocco]]: The second edition of the ''Festival national du théâtre des jeunes'' ("National Festival for Youth Theatre") was held in [[Rabat]] from 2 to [[9 April]], with the participation of 300 young people of 120 theatrical societies from all over the country. * [[Tunisia]]: The 4th edition of the ''Festival méditerranéen du théâtre d'enfants'' ("[[Mediterranean]] Festival of children's theatre") was organized in [[Ben Arous]] from 19 to [[26 March]] [[2005]] with the participation of [[Algeria]], [[Morocco]], [[Spain]], [[France]], [[Italy]], [[Turkey]], [[Egypt]], and the [[Netherlands]] (honorary visitor). * Mali: the 9th edition of the ''[[Festival des Masques et Marionnettes de Markala]]'' ("Markala Masks and Marionnettes Festival", [[FESMAMA]]) was held from 4 to [[6 March]] [[2005]] in [[Markala]], rural village in the [[Ségou Region|Ségou]] region with companies from various areas of [[Mali]], [[France]] and [[West Africa]]. * [[Mauritania]]: The second ''Festival des musiques nomades'' ("Festival of [[Nomad]]ic Music") of [[Nouakchott]] was held in the Mauritanian capital from 4 to [[8 April]] [[2005]] with among others [[Aïcha Mint Chighaly]] ([[Mauritania]]) and of [[Baaba Maal]] ([[Senegal]]). * [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]: the fifth edition of the [[Panafrican Music Festival]] (Fespam) was held from 9 to [[16 July]] in [[Brazzaville]], [[Pointe-Noire]] and [[Kinshasa]]. * [[Mali]]: [[Ali Farka Touré]], musician and mayor of the town of [[Niafunké]], in April 2005 created a foundation bearing his name. This foundation intends to organize a biannual jazz festival in Niafunké and to create a training center for young artists playing local traditional instruments. * [[Mali]]: The cultural [[cooperative]] ''Jamana'' (created by [[Alpha Oumar Konaré]]) on [[13 April]] launched an Internet site with information in [[Bambara language|Bamanankan]], in partnership with [[UNESCO]]. * [[Mali]]: The ''[[Festival dansa/diawoura]]'' took place in [[Bafoulabé]] from 8 to [[10 April]] [[2005]]. * Mali: the second edition of the ''West African Hunters Festival'' took place from 27 to [[29 May]] in several cities of [[Mali]] ([[Bamako]], [[Ségou]], [[Sikasso]] and [[Yanfolila]]) and brought together hunters from Mali, [[Burkina Faso]], [[Senegal]], [[Gambia]], [[Guinea]], and [[Niger]]. * [[Senegal]]: 13th ''International Jazz Festival'' of [[Saint-Louis, Senegal|Saint-Louis]] from 4 to [[7 May]] [[2005]], with among others [[Florin Niculescu]], [[Richard Bona]], [[Philip Catherine]] and [[Alexander Monty]]. * [[Cameroon]]: 4th edition of the ''Festival international de voix de femmes'' ("International Festival for women voices, [[MASSAO]] 2005) in [[Douala]] from [[29 April]] to [[7 May]]. [[Werewere Liking]], Cameronian multidisciplinary artist (music, theatre, literature, painting, dance) was rewarded with the ''Massao d'honneur'' ("Honorary Massao"). * [[Mali]]: A conference on "[[multilingualism]] for cultural diversity and for the participation of all in cyberspace" took place in [[Bamako]] (Mali) on 6 and [[7 May]] in the presence of [[Koïchiro Matsuura]], director general of [[UNESCO]]. * [[Senegal]]: 3rd edition of the ''International Theatre Festival for peace'' ([[Fest'art]]) in [[Dakar]] in May 2005. * [[Morocco]]: ''Festival of the [[sacred music|Sacred Musics]] of the World'' from 3 to [[11 June]] in [[Fès]]. * [[Morocco]]: ''[[Essaouira]] [[Gnaoua]] and World Music Festival'' from the 23 to [[26 June]]. * [[Republic of the Congo|Congo]]: The fifth edition of the ''Panafrican Music Festival'' (Fespam) was held from 9 to [[16 July]] in [[Brazzaville]]. * [[Mali]]: The third edition of the "[[Dense Bamako Danse]]" festival opened on [[11 November]] [[2005]] in the [[Bamako|Malian capital]]. This festival of contemporary dance, organized by association ''Donko Seko'', brought together companies from [[South Africa]], [[Burkina Faso]], [[Cameroon]], [[Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Mali]], [[Mozambique]], [[Senegal]] and [[Chad]]. ==Sciences== * [[Ethopia]]: A team of [[archaeologists]] led by [[Sileshi Semaw]] announced in [[Nature (journal)|''Nature'']] journal that they had discovered the bones of a [[Hominidae|hominid]], [[Ardipithecus ramidus|''Ardipithecus ramidus'']], dating back 4.5 million years at an [[excavation]] site at [[Gona]] in the region of [[Afar]]. * [[Madagascar]]: [[United States|American]] [[zoologist]]s led by [[geneticist]] [[Edward Louis]] announced on [[January 14]] the discovery of two new [[species]] of [[Lemuridae]]. ==Economy== * [[Economic growth]]: [[Omar Kabbaj]], president of the [[African Development Bank]] (AfDB), announced that the economic growth 2004 for the African continent has been exceptional, with a [[growth rate]] of 4,5% (4,1% in 2003). Central Africa knew a growth rate of 8,7%, Eastern Africa 6,5%, North Africa 4,7% and Western Africa 4%. The AfDB president however regretted that ''the continent continually has to deal with major challenges, like conflicts, the strong incidence of poverty and an inexorable progression of the AIDS pandemia''. * [[Aeronautics]]: The [[Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa]] (Cemac) and the [[airline]] [[Royal Air Maroc]] on [[24 February]] [[2005]] signed a draft agreement for the establishment of the regional airline [[Air Cémac]]. * [[Western Africa]]: The [[BCEAO]] (''Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest'', "Central Bank of the States of Western Africa") affirmed on [[22 February]] to have recovered 99,21% of the [[franc CFA]] notes of the 1992 range, at the end of a [[Legal tender#Demonetisation|demonetisation]] operation which was completed on [[18 February]]. * [[Aeronautics]]/[[Mali]]: The first stone of the ''Institut africain des métiers de l'aérien'' ("African Institute of Aeronautic Skills") was cast on [[17 March]] [[2005]] at the [[Bamako-Sénou]] airport site. This new school was initiated by the airline [[Air France]]. ===Agriculture=== * The countries of the [[G8]] and the NEPAD ("[[New Partnership for Africa's Development]]") on [[28 January]] in [[Dar Es Salaam]] announced actions for the development of agriculture in Eastern and Central Africa. Focus is on seeds, pesticides, the food trade, and on monitoring, warning and evaluation mechanisms for [[food safety]]. * On 4 and [[5 February]], on invitation by the [[Senegal]]ese president [[Abdoulaye Wade]], an international forum on "The global agricultural divide" was held in [[Dakar]] (Senegal) in the presence of several Heads of State: [[Amadou Toumani Touré]] ([[Mali]]), [[Jacques Chirac]] ([[France]]), [[Blaise Compaoré]] ([[Burkina Faso]]), [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] ([[Nigeria]]), [[Maaouiya Ould Taya]] ([[Mauritania]]), [[Tandja Mamadou]] ([[Niger]]). It brought together politicians, scientists, representatives of the civil society and agroalimentary companies around "views on developing agricultural territories". Rural organizations from Europe, Asia, Africa and North America met on an invitation by the ''Réseau des organisations paysannes et des producteurs de l'Afrique de l'Ouest'' ("Network of Rural Organizations and Producers of Western Africa", [[ROPPA]]) and the ''Conseil national de concertation et de coopération des ruraux'' ("National Council for Rural Dialogue and Co-operation", [[CNCR]]), to convey their claims: the right to food sovereignty for each country, the end of dumping practices and of disguised subsidies, and consideration for peasants' interests in negotiations of international treaties like those of the [[World Trade Organization]]. * [[Genetically modified organism|GMO]]: The West African peasants, organized in the ''Réseau des organisations paysannes et des producteurs de l'Afrique de l'Ouest'' ("Network of Rural Organizations and Producers of Western Africa", [[ROPPA]]) and the ''Réseau des chambres d’agriculture de l’Afrique de l’ouest'' ("Network of West African Chambers of Agriculture", [[RECAO]]), meeting in [[Bamako]] ([[Mali]]) on [[21 June]], opposed against [[genetically modified organism]]s (GMOs). ===Cotton=== * Meeting in [[Bamako]] on [[14 January]] [[2005]] of representatives of five [[Sub-Saharan]] [[cotton]] producing countries ([[Mali]], [[Benin]], [[Burkina Faso]], [[Senegal]] and [[Chad]]) that insist on the need for developed countries to reduce subsidies to their own farmers. ''Just for the cotton season 2004-2005, Central and Western Africa are estimated to have a deficit of more than 220 billion [[CFA franc|FCFA]], or more than 400 million dollars, worsening poverty by destroying development efforts'', they declared in a common statement. * On a meeting in [[Ouagadougou]] ([[Burkina Faso]]) on [[12 March]] [[2005]] in the margin of the 3th days of the [[African Cotton Association]] (ACA), the Ministers for Agriculture of [[Benin]], [[Burkina Faso]], [[Mali]] and [[Chad]] launched an appeal to African governments and the international community for the installation of a rescue fund for the African cotton producers. They also request a time frame for the [[United States]] and the [[European Union]] to reduce and totally abandon subsidies to European and American cotton producers. The competition of American and European subsidized cotton means a "loss of earnings" of 200 billion [[CFA franc]]s (more than 300 million [[euro]]s) for African cotton producers. ===Debt=== * On [[17 January]], while opening a meeting of 18 African Finance Ministers, [[Gordon Brown]], [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] (Minister for Finance), wished the cancellation of the "unpayable" debt of African countries and presented the outline of an action plan against poverty in Africa which received the support of former [[South Africa|South-African]] president [[Nelson Mandela]]. ==Events in Africa by month== {{portal|Africa|Africa satellite orthographic.jpg}} [[October 2005 in Africa|October]]{{•}} [[November 2005 in Africa|November]]{{•}} [[December 2005 in Africa|December]] ==Notes== This text was translated from the [[:fr:2005 en Afrique|original French-language article]]. {{Africa}} {{Africa topics}} [[Category:Africa by year]] [[Category:2005 in Africa| ]] [[br:2005 en Afrika]] [[fr:2005 en Afrique]]