African Development Foundation board members recount visit to Africa

The United States African Development Program (USADF) held a Board of Directors meeting today, and discussed last months Board Trip to Africa. The board visited Kenya, Ethiopia, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and other countries where the USADF currently operates projects.

Board Member Jack Leslie said while in Kenya the board members looked for areas in the North that are currently receiving little focus, and where the USADF could do possible projects. He said in Niger they funded three co-ops of farmers who are exporting onions, and they saw the farmers increase their income by working together with other co-ops through the use of cell phones.

Leslie said that though the USADF does not have a program in Burkina Faso, all the government officials eagerly showed up to talk to the board members when they visited. In Senegal he said they saw a co-op for the blind making brooms. He said that without this co-op these workers would otherwise be out begging or dead. Chairman Edward “Ward” Brehm said this co-op demonstrates an organization that needs enterprise expertise and a marketing plan, along with more assistance and funding from their government. Leslie also said they saw deplorable working conditions in Senegal for people cleaning and salting fish on the beaches.

In Mauritania, Leslie said USADF can develop agricultural programs with refugees, and will look into further involvement in the dairy industry. Lloyd Pierson, USADF president, said people in Mauritania want a democracy and to become friends with “the West.” He thinks this is a country that deserves assistance from the United States.

United Nations News 30.1.08

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will address the African Union Summit tomorrow. The Secretary General's agenda includes:
- Encouraging increased dialog between all parties in the Sudan, including tribal groups
- Increased discussion between North and South Sudan
- Talks with the government of Chad on potential assistance of the Sudanese humanitarian crisis
- Beginning a comprehensive peace agreement between all parties in Sudan
- The deterioration of the Kenyan government
- Continued deployment of the African Union

The government of Columbia ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, bringing the number of nations involved to 144. The United States ratified the treaty in 1996.

B. Lynn Pascoe, United Nations Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, issued a statement supporting Egypts attempts to work towards a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Gaza, as well as it's efforts to provide humanitarian aide to Palestinians. As of Tuesday, border crossings with Israel remained closed. The UN reports that over 77 rockets and mortar have been fired into Israel by Gaza insurgents.

The Security Council will vote on Wednesday to extend the United Nations' mission in to Ethiopia.

United Nations Special Envoy to Nepal, Ian Martin, condemned bomb attacks in Nepal. He stated that violence and intimidation has no place in a country making a democratic transition.

- Dan Patterson

United Nations News 28.1.08

Authorities in Kenya continue to wrestle with violence sparked by disputed election returns. One of Africa's more stable government, Kenya continues to deal with violence that erupted more than five days ago. More than 100 people have been killed, and riots persist in Kisumu. Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has been attempting to negotiate with various tribal factions.

Sunday, January 27 marked the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. This week the United Nations begins a series of events commemorating the holocaust and honoring it's survivors. Events include a memorial ceremony and concert. US Congressman and Holocaust survivor Tom Lantos will deliver a key-note speech on Monday, January 28th. The United Nations has also issued a commemorative stamp. The United States version will be available for 41 cents.

The Conference for Peace, Security, and Development in North and South Kivo concluded late last week. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement congratulating the people and government of the Democratic Republic of Congo for a successful conference. The SG believes that peaceful reconciliation between armed factions in the Congo can be reached through further negotiations. The Secretary General also encouraged regional players to support continued talks.

The Secretary General also issued a statement addressing the friends and families of civilians and UN aid workers killed in the recent bombing in Algiers. The SG affirmed the United Nations' continued peacekeeping missions, but stated "the truth is, we can never really do justice to those we have lost. We can only iss them and mourn them. We can only unite in grieving for what is too hard to endure alone." The SG went on to stress the lessons learned from the Algiers bombing. These lessons included more clearly articulating to the public and press - particularly in areas of UN presence - what the UN stands for and how it works to achieve it's goals.

- Dan Patterson

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