http://www.africafiles.org/ AfricaFiles is a network of volunteers committed to promoting African perspectives and alternative analyses for human rights and economic justice in Africa. en-ca Copyright 2013 AfricaFiles. Wed, 22 May 2013 00:49 EST 20 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26633 An increasing number of developing countries are introducing universal healthcare coverage, according to research published in The Lancet. In the early 20th century, two models of universal healthcare coverage emerged in the United Kingdom and Germany, but countries from the global South are creating their own models. The survey of nine developing countries in Africa and Asia found that the new models vary considerably but have several common characteristics, including increased revenue and health budgets, larger risk pools and use of the private sector. AA Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26633 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26631 Journalists were covering the opening of a new office in Nyololo of a new political party `Chadema’. They tell us that Daud Mwangosi was in Nyololo together with several other journalists , in defiance of police orders against political activities during the census period. There was a heavy police presence in the village. Many photos were taken.Mangosi was badly beaten , and then shot dead with a tear gas canister at point blank range. Police have killed blatantly many protesters in recent years in an apparent attempt to intimidate parties in opposition to the ruling CCM. JK Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26631 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26616 Tutu points out that only Africans have been tried yet in the ICC, and proposes that Blair and Bush should be tried there because of lying about Weapons of Mass Destruction, acting like immoral playground bullies, and killing so many Iraqi’s. Blair replied listing all the ills that Saddam Husein had done. JK Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26616 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26606 A coup d’état and the occupation of northern Mali have left many searching for answers to a deepening crisis. AWID spoke with Head of Cooperation at the Netherlands Embassy in Mali, To Tjoelker, and socio-anthropologist Lalla Mariam Haidara, native of Timbuktu and specialist on women’s rights in Mali, to shed light on the situation. JK Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26606 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26595 International actors need to commit to a common strategy to help coup-plagued Guinea-Bissau implement the security, justice and electoral reforms it needs to escape its status as a link in drug trafficking to Europe. The latest International Crisis Group report, urges the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), notably Angola and Portugal who are driving its policy, to set aside differences and work with the transitional authorities to define a mandate for the ECOWAS mission in Bissau and then seek UN Security Council approval of it. ECOWAS, with support from international partners, must be allowed to take the lead in setting benchmarks for the interim government to follow and ensuring that donor aid is linked to achieving them. MM Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26595 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26580 Africa has the resources, its about time it finds ways to fund its development. The West will always first gets its house in order before extending a helping hand. M. Makoni Thu, 09 Aug 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26580 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26575 Africa can learn a lot from China’s booming economy about how science and technology can help to boost development — a fact not lost on either party. Technology transfer will be a key element of a new phase in the partnership between the two, which was agreed at the fifth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that took place in Beijing on 19–20 July. But China’s track record in Africa has some lessons for technology transfer that both sides need to consider to ensure their partnership proves equitable and profitable for more Africans. M.M Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26575 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26573 "History tells us that African countries with their abundant mineral reserves made little from the exploitation of these minerals by the colonial powers and later the multinational companies... Worst of all the mining companies were operated as enclaves with little or no links to the local economy...The African Mining Vision suggests that ’Transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources’ could lead to ’sustainable growth and socio-economic development’ in Africa." Unity and determination are needed for countries to stand together on this resolution. JK Tue, 07 Aug 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26573 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26564 The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) is almost ten years old. The current phase of monitoring the implementation of UNCAC through a peer Implementation Review Group (IRG) is the crucial next step in ensuring that legal promises move beyond words to real sustained action. The first UNCAC review cycle is currently underway and South Africa is among the group of countries currently under review. The third IRG meeting took place in mid-June in Vienna. AA Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26564 http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26566 Over the last twelve years, UNSCR 1325 has directed international attention to the increased participation of women in peace and security, the protection of women during conflict and the prevention of gender-based violence. SADC has now made steps in the involvement of women in peacekeeping and security. It is expected the trend will increase with the arrival of President Joyce Banda of Malawi in SADC hierarchy, and South African Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma , a known women`s advocate, in the chair of the African Union Commission. JK Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00 EST http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=26566