CHINA: Winning Friends and Influence in Africa

Accused of supporting corrupt African regimes to facilitate its imports of oil and raw materials from the resource-rich continent, China is staging a grand diplomatic forum to defend its dealings with Africa.

DEVELOPMENT: Belgium Increases Aid to Rwanda

During the next four years, Belgium will provide Rwanda with about 168 million dollars worth of development aid. This sum is to be spread among various sectors, with agriculture and health receiving priority. About 74.4 million dollars has been allocated for the development of agriculture, and some 48 million dollars for the health sector.

DEVELOPMENT-KENYA: Switch On the Sun to Get Cooking

The women in Kajiado were sceptical - unwilling to believe that cardboard containers lined with aluminium foil on the inside could cook food when placed in the sun.

DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: Think Global, Eat Local

It's certainly a logical suggestion: in an effort to make cocoa-producing countries in Africa less dependent on consumers abroad, why not increase domestic consumption of cocoa products?

POLITICS-DRC: Congolese Mark the Final Lap in a Watershed Election

Two people were reported killed and three injured when police in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) shot at supporters of Jean-Pierre Bemba, one of two candidates in Sunday's run-off presidential election. The supporters were said to be protesting ballot stuffing in the northern city of Lisala.

POLITICS-DRC: “The Winner Will Have to Share His Gains”

Citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will go to the polls Sunday to choose their first democratically-elected leader in over four decades amidst deep divisions in the Central African country.

POLITICS-AFRICA: The Ultimate Golden Handshake

Various African researchers and civil society groups have given a mixed response to the launch of a five-million-dollar prize for African leaders who relinquish power and promote good governance.

HEALTH-DRC: Turning Brain Drain Into Brain Gain

How can Congolese doctors and nurses living in Belgium exchange information with colleagues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)? This was the central question at a roundtable convened by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Belgium's capital, Brussels, recently.

SOUTHERN AFRICA: No Ivory Sales Now Doesn’t Mean None Later

Concern about ivory sales in Southern Africa is persisting among environmental groups - this after the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) granted Japan stockpile buyer status earlier this month.

ECONOMY-MAURITIUS: Port Louis Targets Neighbours for Clothing Exports

Mauritius is eyeing other markets in Africa as part of its effort to rebuild export manufacturing of clothing. This includes targeting South Africa, which will be limiting certain Chinese imports in 2007.

RIGHTS-DRC: A Glimmer of Hope for Children Working in Katanga’s Mines

Each day, thousands of children risk their lives by working in mines in the Katanga province of south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - something a coalition of organisations is trying to address.

ECONOMY: The Curate’s Egg That Is Africa-Asia Trade

Emerging global powers China and India, both thirsty for new markets and energy resources, are increasing efforts to secure a dominant position in Africa.

RIGHTS-KENYA: The “Mzungu” Called to Account, Decades After Colonial Abuses

For Jane Muthoni Mara, the memories of her experiences during British rule in Kenya are still horribly vivid - even though these took place more than half a century ago.

CORRUPTION-KENYA: An Amnesty Perhaps Not Worth Its Weight in Gold

A recent proposal by Kenya's government to provide amnesty to corrupt officials who return stolen funds has prompted concerns in the East African country, where some fear the initiative may encourage more graft - and ultimately a culture of impunity.

HEALTH-UGANDA: USAID’s Malaria Control Plan Risks Public Disapproval

A population explosion in the highlands in south-west Uganda has turned fertile wetlands into breeding grounds for malarial mosquitoes.

DEVELOPMENT: From the Margins of Society, to Centre Field

Nelson Mandela delivered his first speech there after leaving prison. The square has also been the scene of anti-apartheid protests and military parades. This coming week, however, Cape Town's Grand Parade will be a venue for something entirely different: street soccer matches played during the 2006 Homeless World Cup (HWC).

HEALTH-AFRICA: Bringing Traditional Birth Attendants Into the Mainstream

In an ideal world, all of Africa's women would have access to clinics, nurses, obstetricians, medicines: the panoply of staff and equipment needed to make the process of giving birth as safe as possible.

FINANCE: World Bank Careless About Development Goals – Report

Several developing countries are not reaching sustainable development targets fast enough despite numerous international agreements, says a report, launched here amidst criticism that World Bank energy and mining projects were not doing enough to protect the environment and improve the plight of the poor.

HEALTH-AFRICA: “There Hasn’t Been Adequate Emphasis on Family Planning”

The problem of limited access to contraceptives is taking centre stage at an African Union (AU) meeting currently underway in Maputo.

DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: Few “Positions Vacant” for the Young

A billion young people aged 15 to 24 unemployed, 85 percent of them in developing countries - with several hundred million more expected to enter the job market by the end of the decade: grim statistics indeed. However, a recent conference offered some ideas as to how they could be addressed.

DEVELOPMENT-AFRICA: LDC Status Hard to Shake

There were 18 in Africa 35 years ago. There are 34 now - which begs the question: are policies to thin the ranks of the almost three dozen least developed countries (LDCs) on the continent even somewhat effective?