Conflict Prevention – Africa | IPS Inter Press Service | News Agency | Journalism & Communication for Global Change

UGANDA: Fresh Concerns About Women in Captivity

The fate of thousands of women and girls held as sex slaves and child soldiers by Uganda’s Lords Resistance Army rebels hangs in the balance.

A Sudanese voter casts his vote during the elections. Results will be announced on Apr. 22. Credit: Nichola Mandil

SUDAN: Election Results Expected Soon

By IPS Correspondents

Poor access to telephone networks and lack of roads in some areas of South Sudan is delaying the submission of voting results to the election commission.

Joint U.N.-Congolese army patrol: fighting near Mbandaka has abated, but in neighbouring Orientale Province 5,000 people are trapped in a war zone. Credit: Richard Pituwa/IPS

DR CONGO: Uneasy Calm After Fighting in Northwest

By IPS Correspondents

Fighting between "Enyélé" insurgents and regular armed forces in the northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo at the beginning of April left 18 people dead, including nine rebels, and triggered mass displacements from the region's principal city, Mbandaka.

Guarding cattle in northwestern Kenya: heightened competition for water and pasture has increased armed conflict. Credit: Siegfried Modola/IPS

KENYA: Primary Education Under the Gun

By IPS Correspondents

The children are afraid. There are armed bandits hiding with stolen animals in the thickets behind Nawoyaregae Primary School in Kaputir Location.

Secretary-general of the SLAJ, Mustapha Sesay, says the association will fight against the intimidation of the press. Credit: Mohamed Fofanah/IPS

RIGHTS-SIERRA LEONE: Journalists Under Attack

By Mohamed Fofanah

Sierra Leone has become a place of torment for journalists practicing their profession.

ZIMBABWE: Women Survive Political Violence Alone

By IPS Correspondents

Mary Pamire will never forget the day a group of men took turns to rape her.

SIERRA LEONE: No Easy Road to Reconciliation

By Lansana Fofana

Former child soldier Komba Gbondo maimed and killed many people from his hometown, and the 25-year-old is still too terrified to return.

POLITICS-SUDAN: African Leaders Call for Peaceful Elections

By IPS Correspondents

With less than a month to the historic multi-party poll in Africa’s largest country, Sudan, eminent African leaders are calling for a peaceful and calm election process.

An elderly woman seeks refuge from post-election violence at Nakuru Internally Displaced Camp in February 2008. Credit: Dolphin Emali/IPS

KENYA: New Bill to Improve State Witness Protection, If Passed

By IPS Correspondents

Kenyans affected by the violence that erupted after the country’s disputed presidential elections in 2007 may soon be able to speak out without fear. A new bill will offer better protection to state witnesses.

Preparing for elections in 2006: the Ivorian poll has now been postponed six times. Credit: Pauline Bax/IRIN

COTE D’IVOIRE: Crisis Within a Crisis Delays Elections Again

By IPS Correspondents

A week after President Laurent Gbagbo dissolved the government and the electoral commission, thousands marched in the city of Bouaké, damaging cars and shops. There have been almost daily demonstrations in cities across the country as Côte d'Ivoire's political crisis deepens.

A Darfuri refugee shelters from rain: ICC prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo remains determined to trying the Sudanese president for crimes against humanity. Credit: Claire McEvoy/IRIN

SUDAN: Bashir May Face Genocide Charges

By Zukiswa Zimela

The International Criminal Court is to review its earlier decision not to add genocide to the charges against Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir.

POLITICS-SUDAN: Security Essential to Ensure Peaceful Elections

By IPS Correspondents

Peace in Sudan remains an uncertainty ahead of the country’s first general elections in 24 years, according to the African Union Commission chief.

2004 photo of Ijaw militants in a Niger Delta village. Credit: George Osodi/IRIN

NIGERIA: No Oil Company Will Know Peace in the Creeks

By Sam Olukoya

Three flow stations in the oil-rich Niger Delta have had to be closed after a pipeline was sabotaged, according to Royal Dutch Shell.

KENYA: Documenting Sexual Violence

By Susan Anyangu-Amu

The testimonies of women who survived sexual violence during post-election conflict in 2008 should be heard, say advocates. The magnitude of the crimes committed against women because of their gender must be recorded and prosecuted to prevent such violence from occurring again.

Young monyomiji listen in at a conference. Credit: Skye Wheeler/IPS

SOUTH SUDAN: Changing of the Guard

By Skye Wheeler

An old rite is long overdue in Paul Yugusak Tombe’s home village, in Central Equatoria State, south Sudan.

Nursing injuries after an attack on a South Sudanese village: ethnic conflict threatens full implementation of the peace agreement. Credit: Peter Martell/IPS

SOUTH SUDAN: Tension Builds as Peace Agreement Marks Anniversary

By Moyiga Nduru

Sudan is at a crossroads. Its future looks grim. "Only a miracle can save it from disintegrating. The signs are already on the wall," says Khamis Lako, a petty trader in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

COTE D’IVOIRE: Elections Under Threat Again

By IPS Correspondents

Preparations for presidential elections scheduled for the end of February or the beginning of March - elections which have already been postponed numerous times since 2005 - have again reached an impasse in Côte d'Ivoire.

NIGERIA: Fears for the Future as Religious Violence Claims 35

By IPS Correspondents

Government has again clashed with a religious sect in the state of Bauchi. Just under six months ago, an Islamist sect called Boko Haram launched attacks on police stations across four northern states, and hundreds of lives were lost before the situation was brought under control.