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Published 23rd May 1997

Vol 38 No 11

New arrivals – north and south

Tony Blair's modernised Labour Party has come to power at a time of rapid change and growing hopes for Africa

The departure from power of the British Conservative Party (after 18 years) on 2 May and that of Mobutu Sese Seko (after 32 years) on 17 May, in different ways, mean significant changes for Whitehall's Africa policy. The new team in Whitehall – Foreign Secretary Robin Cook; Minister for International Development Clare Short; Minister for Africa Tony Lloyd; and Minister for North Africa and Middle East Derek Fatchett – has quickly committed itself to placing 'human rights at the heart' of foreign policy and also to a refusal to sell arms to governments which might use them for internal repression.

Regional rebound

Image courtesy of Panos Pictures

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After Mobutu Sese Seko, UNITA is the biggest loser from changes in Central Africa

Jonas Savimbi must feel that the earth has moved but not because he is any closer to quenching his passion to become president of Angola. The tremors running...

Patriot games

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The government's friends will win the elections but militias are profilerating

With all the country's leading legal opposition parties committed to participating in general elections on 5 June, a constitution in place which gives the presidency scope to control...

The parties line up

Rassemblement National Démocratique (RND): Algeria's newest party is expected to win because of its close relations with the presidency. RND leader Abdelkader Bensalah is President of the unelected...

Hitting the thieves

As corruption gets worse, the Bank is planning to clean up its own operations

By coincidence, the timing is perfect. As Marshal Mobutu Sese Seko, world leader in the corruption business, steals away to safety and a vast fortune, the World Bank...

Kabila in Kinshasa

The seven month military march is over; the political march looks longer and tougher

Zaïre has a new name, République Démocratique du Congo (RDC), a new strongman, Laurent-Désiré Kabila and a new burst of goodwill from most of the world's capitals with...

Pointers

Guides together

Soldiers from Togo proved useless when sent to fight for Marshal Mobutu Sese Seko (who was a guest of the Presidency in Lomé after his fall). Perhaps mindful...

Mrema on Marando

The country had only one credible party of opposition. Now it has none. The National Convention for Constitution and Reform (NCCR)-Maguezi fell apart in confusion last week. Its...

Mystery militias

Two conflicts persist in Sierra Leone, weakening the authority of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah (elected in March 1996) and undermining the United Nations' appeal for funds for national...

Hanging on

By the grace of the courts, and for a few weeks only, Prime Minister Ntsu Mokhehle (78) is hanging on as leader of the Basutoland Congress Party, a...

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