The United Nations has provided hundreds of bicycles and motorcycles for Zimbabwean health workers to respond to potential cholera and flu outbreaks, the latest in a series of steps by the world body to help the southern African country confront acute humanitarian needs. The 300 black bicycles and 124 bright red motor cycles, purchased by the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) with $500,000 from the Central Emergency Response Fund, will enable health workers to move quickly to prepare for and respond to potential health concerns, including cholera outbreaks and the H1N1 flu pandemic.

Criminal charges and the closure of several radio stations over alleged incitement to violence in Kampala have sparked a debate about the limits of free speech in Uganda. The Uganda Broadcasting Council (UBC) silenced four Luganda* radio stations during three days of riots in September 2009 sparked by the government's refusal to allow the king of Buganda, Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, from travelling to a district within his kingdom.

A month before the recent attack in Jonglei State that left scores dead, Daniel Dau had moved his family from Duk to Twich East County, about 100km away, believing they would be safer there. But he was wrong. On 20 September, Duk Padiet village in Twich was attacked and at least 167 people killed, according to Jonglei State statistics.

Botswana – where nearly one quarter of people between the ages of 15 and 49 are living with HIV – is taking steps with the help of international assistance to combat the devastating AIDS pandemic, an official from the Southern African nation told the General Assembly. “HIV/AIDS undoubtedly continues to be one of the most daunting challenges of our time,” Charles Thembani Ntwaagae, Botswana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, told the Assembly’s annual high-level gathering.

On Wednesday close to two hundred thousand people from Arizona to Zanzibar read the last email from ZW News – a daily email compilation of the latest news stories on Zimbabwe. Despite the cost effectiveness and wide subscriber base, the man behind ZW News in the UK, and his colleague in Zimbabwe, have been unable to source funding to keep going.

A study of patients who failed to return to their HIV clinic in Uganda found that the majority were still alive after one year, contrary to assumptions, and in many cases had either transferred to other clinics or faced transport and access difficulties in getting to the clinic, according to research by Elvin Geng and colleagues in a paper published in advance online by the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes.

Arguments about how much influence developing economies have over the world’s financial affairs are set to dominate the International Monetary Fund summit in Istanbul this week. There was some progress at last week’s G20 meeting in Pittsburgh, but until details are agreed, the balance of power between key economic players remains unresolved. Under existing arrangements, the industrialised countries hold 57 per cent of the IMF votes.

The top United Nations official in Cote d’Ivoire warned today that technical difficulties may adversely affect the timeline for the country’s long-awaited presidential elections, which were to have been held as far back as 2005, and are now scheduled for 29 November. Young-Jin Choi, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), said that two months have already been lost, but he noted some successful political developments, such as the establishment of mobile court hearings across the country and the end of voter registration.

Global food leader Nestle's Zimbabwean unit has stopped buying milk from a farm owned by President Robert Mugabe's wife which was seized under his controversial land reforms. Western countries vital for Zimbabwe's recovery from an economic crisis demand political reforms, including an end to land seizures, before aid flows.

Algeria has addressed the cases of nearly 25,000 victims of terrorism through its national reconciliation programme, and many key terrorists have surrendered, leading some observers to proclaim the process a success. The 2005 Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation "has realised its objectives," said Farouk Ksentini, head of the National Commission for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights, at a special forum on Monday (September 28th).

Kenyan government auditors found losses of about 131 million shillings ($1.8 million) in two World Bank-funded projects “due to what appears to be fraud and corruption,” Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said. As many as 50 project managers, junior and senior staff accused of involvement have been suspended while investigators look into the cases, Kenyatta said at a briefing in the capital, Nairobi.

The United Nations has welcomed the reported decision by President Omar Al-Bashir to immediately lift censorship on Sudanese newspapers. “This decision will advance the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and is an important step towards creating an appropriate environment for the multi-party elections scheduled for April 2010,” the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) said in a statement.

Less than half of adults and children needing antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa - where two-thirds of all global HIV infections occur - are receiving it. This is despite the region showing the greatest gains worldwide in terms of access to the lifesaving drugs. According to a report released today, (Wed) 45% of HIV positive pregnant women received the drugs needed to prevent them from passing the virus on to their baby, up from 35% the year before.

The Civil Society and Outreach Unit of the United Nations Secretariat's Division for Social Policy and Development invites organizations to take part in a survey on the current situation that local, national and international civil society organizations (CSOs) are facing as a result of the global economic and environmental crises. The results of the study will be published for advocacy use of CSOs and also made available at the next session of the UN Commission on Social Development.

A plan to develop a biodiversity corridor across the border between Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia will be the focus of discussions to be held in Abidjan next week in cooperation the United Nations and other organizations. Hosted by the Ivorian Minister of Environment, Water and Forests, the meeting on 5-6 October is part of a transnational initiative launched by the UN-led Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) and the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF).

The authorities in Sierra Leone have disputed a recent "alarming" report by the right group Amnesty International (AI) on the country's present maternal mortality rate. The report stated that one in every eight pregnant women in the country risk a chance of dying whiles giving birth and that six out of the 13 districts still have no emergency Obstetrical Care facility.

ARTICLE 19’s Comment expresses alarm in relation to almost all the provisions of the Genocide Ideology Law which was adopted by the Rwandan Parliament on 23 July 2008. In ARTICLE 19’s view, the law’s central concept of “genocide ideology” is extremely broadly defined and would catch a whole range of legitimate forms of expression. Indeed, the definition of “genocide ideology” violates international law under the Genocide Convention 1948 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 in multiple ways.

Pressure is mounting on the Tanzanian government following the recent violent evictions of Maasai from their land in Loliondo, Northern Tanzania, to make way for the hunting company, Otterlo Business Corporation (OBC). Local human rights organizations are filing criminal and civil cases against the Tanzanian government on behalf of the affected Maasai people at the High Court in Arusha. More than 100 witnesses are reportedly willing to testify.

In a unanimous decision, the Constitutional Council rejected the appeal of MDM against the exclusion of its lists from most provinces. It upholds the CNE’s interpretation of the law, and publishes lists of unqualified candidates to show that MDM simply did not have enough candidates in most provinces.

Regional Campaign Coordinator - Africa
Central London Based
£37,584 plus excellent benefits and relocation package
Permanent contract

As Regional Campaign Coordinator for the Africa Program, you will be responsible for developing AI’s campaigning and crisis response work on sub-Saharan Africa. This will include initiating, coordinating and evaluating campaigns and major actions on the region. Working closely with our membership Mobilization Programme in strengthening the campaigning skills and capacity of AI’s membership structures in Africa, you will contribute directly to the development of our campaigning work worldwide.

You will have knowledge of sources of social, political and economic influence in the region and advise on AI’s strengths in mobilizing such influence in relation to Africa in order to enhance the campaigning activities on the region. Sensitive to the cultures and peoples of sub-Saharan Africa, you will have a sound knowledge of human rights concerns in the region as well as experience of working with civil society in Africa. You must be able to think and plan strategically, have sound political judgement and excellent organisational and communication skills. Fluent English and French language skills are essential.

Amnesty International (AI) is a worldwide movement of volunteers and professionals standing up for human rights. Independent of any government, ideology, economic interest or religion, we have more than 2 million supporters in over 150 countries. Our purpose is to research, speak out and take action to protect individuals wherever rights, justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied.

Closing date for this position: 25th October 2009.

To find out more and apply, visit and quote reference AFR/09/09.