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February 4, 2013 News

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4 February 2013

Continue reading for articles concerning France's hope for security in Timbuktu, diaspora remittances aiding peace in Somalia, plans for an EAC climate change fund, Zainab Bangura's views on the fight against sexual violence, and stolen artifacts returned to Nigeria.
France: African forces must ensure security for Timbuktu
"France's foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, says France wants African forces to assume security responsibility for the city of Timbuktu 'very fast'..."
To read the full article, visit the Mail & Guardian site here

Somali diaspora's remittances cast a lifeline
"During two decades of conflict, famines and floods, Somali expatriates' transmission of money back home — known as "remittances" — has been instrumental in keeping Somalia afloat. The UN Development Programme estimates that $1.6 billion in remittances are sent back annually by Somali emigrants living in North America and Europe. Abdirashid Duale, a Somali who is chief executive of Dahabshiil, one of the largest money-transfer businesses in Africa, says that such transfers have been a lifeline. Now that security has improved in Mogadishu after the ouster of Al Shabaab Islamist militants in October 2012, he believes that strong economic growth can help drive peace. He shared with Africa Renewal's Jocelyne Sambira his hopes for a "business-friendly" administration..."
To read the full article, visit the Africa Renewal site here

EAC advances plans to set up regional climate change fund
"East African Community partner states could start allocating at least $360 million (one per cent of their national budgets) to climate management from July.

The money will be directed towards climate change disaster relief and recovery in the region through the development of a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Strategy..."
To read the full article, vist the East African site here

'Take away the guns,' women tell UN envoy
"Imagine being charged $100 for a medical certificate issued by a doctor proving that you have been raped before you can go after the culprit — and then during his trial having to feed the man who raped you.

Recounting such stories, Zainab Bangura, the UN Secretary-General's special representative on sexual violence, allows a glimpse of the passion and energy she is known for. Up until 2002, women and girls in her country, Sierra Leone, were subjected to widespread and systematic sexual violence, including rape and sexual slavery. As a women's rights campaigner and activist, she documented, reported and monitored such crimes and other human rights violations. When the Special Court for Sierra Leone set up jointly by the Government and the United Nations opened, to try those responsible for crimes during the civil war, she testified as an expert witness..."
To read the full article, visit the Africa Renewal site here

Nigeria: France Hands Over Stolen Nigerian Artifacts
"It is no longer news that many Nigerian artifacts are in Europe and America held by both public institutions such as Museums, Universities and Galleries as well as by private individuals, but what is new is the collaborative efforts being made by the Nigerian government and the countries where these artifacts are taken in the first place to repatriate them back to the country where they rightly belong.

One of these collaborative diplomatic efforts yielded a positive result yesterday when the French Embassy in Nigeria handed over five Nok Terracotta figures seized by the French Customs service in Paris..."
To read the full article, visit the AllAfrica site here

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Africa Program

The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations.    Read more