Central africa

Capital: Bangui
Government: Republic
Currency: CFA Franc
Population (2012 est.): 5,057,208
Demonym: Central African

Geography
Situated about 500 mi (805 km)
north of the equator, the Central
African Republic is a landlocked
nation bordered by Cameroon,
Chad, the Sudan, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, and the
Republic of Congo. The Ubangi and
the Shari are the largest of many
rivers.

Area of conflict:
Background
 The Central African Republic (CAR) has
been unstable since its independence
from France in 1960, and is one of the
least developed countries in the world,
coming in at 159 out of 169 in the 2010
Human Development Index.
 Situated in the midst of other failed states
including Chad, the Democratic Republic
of Congo, and Sudan, it has been
seriously affected by other conflicts in the
region, with several military and rebel
groups spilling over into the country‟s
borders.

Who is fighting who?
The government of CAR, headed
by president Bozizé, is quite weak,
and only really has control of the
capital, Bangui. Three main rebel
groups have been operating in CAR
over the last few decades: the
Convention of Patriots for Justice
and Peace (CPJP); the Union of
Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR);
and the Popular Army for the
Restoration of Democracy (APRD).

There are also other smaller rebel
groups operating in the country,
and particularly in the north. The
situation is further complicated by a
long history of neighbouring militias
entering CAR territory, most notably
Uganda‟s Lord‟s Resistance Army
(LRA), which is notorious for brutal
attacks against civilians, and is
often pursued by the Ugandan
Peoples Defence Force (UPDF).

When did it all start?
Without going back too far... In
1960, France granted
independence to Oubangui-Chari,
which was renamed the Central
African Republic. The years
following independence were
troubled and violent, with military
leaders staging coup after coup
against one another to take power
over the country.

Eventually, after more than 30 years
of military rule, the first fair and
democratic elections were held.
Ange-Felix Patasse was elected
president in 1993, but his terms in
office were troubled, with several
mutinies against him and a series of
riots by civil servants and soldiers
over the non-payment of salaries. In
2003, Francois Bozizé, backed by
the UFDR, took control of Bangui
and ousted Patasse.

This coup, as well as an overspill of
fighting from the Sudan, sparked a
civil war involving the UFDR, who
took control of several towns in
northern CAR. Fighting between the
UFDR and CPJP in northern parts of
the country intensified, and Bozizé
lost control of parts of the territory.
During this fighting, which
continued well into 2007, close to
300,000 citizens were displaced.

And now?
In 2008, the UFDR and APRD signed
a peace agreement with Bozizé‟s
government, and promised to
begin disarming and demobilising
rebel fighters. However, the CPJP
has remained active, especially in
the north of the country where it
has been responsible for attacks
against the Central African Army, as
well as civilians in the region.

 Despite peace agreements and
cease-fires being signed by most rebel
groups in the country, clashes
between government forces and
rebels continue. The LRA has also led
insurgencies into CAR territory, and
continues to terrorise much of the
area. The Presidential Guard and the
Central African Army have also been
accused of violations against the
citizens of CAR, reportedly burning
schools and homes. In January 2011,
Bozizé was elected for a second term
in office.

Due to the ongoing conflict and
years of political instability, the
economy of CAR has been
adversely affected, and thousands
have been displaced. CAR relies
heavily on international aid and
NGOs for money, and for services
which the government fails to
provide for its population.

Central African Republic: a
silent crisis crying out for help
 One of the world’s poorest countries, CAR
is a cauldron of turbulence that threatens
to undermine peace efforts in Central
Africa.
 In a continent beset with bloody conflicts
often triggering banner headlines, the
Central African Republic (CAR), located
in an unstable triangle bordering the
Democratic Republic of the Congo,
southern Sudan and Chad, is a silent crisis
crying out for increased international
donor support and media attention.

Conflict in the Central African
Republic: Negotiations for a
politically inclusive transition
respectful of human rights,
including the right to justice by
victims

While the Seleka rebels still threaten
Bangui, FIDH calls upon all parties to
the conflict to end human rights
violations, to protect civilians, and
for the negotiation and
establishment of better governance
for the Central African Republic, in
particular for a genuine fight
against impunity for the authors of
the most serious crimes.

Tourist Spots
 Bangui
The capital of the Central African
Republic, Bangui is a major trade and
transport hub that sits alongside the
Oubangui River, a welcome waterway in this
landlocked country. While the conveniences
of a capital city make Bangui an essential
stop for visitors on their way to see the
country's natural wonders, it also has
attractions of its own. Founded by the French
in 1880, the old town of Bangui features a
typical colonial design with wide boulevards
leading out from a central market square.

 Dzanga-Sangha National Park, in remote
southwest C.A.R. near the borders with
Cameroon and the Republic of Congo,
protects the rain forest habitats of forest
elephants, western lowland gorillas,
chimpanzees, bongos, leopards and
hippos, among more than 100 mammal
species. The village of Bayanga serves as
a hub for park visitors, offering basic
guesthouses and one luxury lodge. It is
served by charter airlines, offering a
considerably more convenient alternative
to reaching the park by road.

 Attractions include a gorilla research
station and a clearing where herds of as
many as 100 elephants converge to feed.
A limited number of tourists are permitted
to participate in gorilla tracking
expeditions that depart from Bai Hokou
camp. Other activities include river cruises
in traditional dug-out canoes, net hunting
or collecting medicinal plants with the
BaAka pygmy people and hiking through
the rain forest in the company of a troupe
of habituated mangabeys, an agile and
vocal monkey species.

Manovo-Gounda St. Floris
National Park

 Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National
Park is C.A.R.'s only UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Located in the north
near the border with Chad, the park
encompasses three types of
landscape: the flood plain around
the Bahr Aouk and Bahr Kameur
rivers, the mountainous south and the
lowland plains in between.

 Numerous rivers flowing through the park
support many animal species, including
large mammals such as lions, giraffes,
hippos and buffalo, as well as some 320
bird species. The development of tourism
in the park has been significantly curtailed
by illegal poaching, which has decimated
mammal populations and threatens the
safety of visitors. Intrepid travelers will find
the southern part of the park the easiest
to access.

Les Chutes de la Mbi, which are on
the tentative UNESCO World
Heritage Site list, drop 656 feet from
a tributary of the Upper Mpoko
River into the basin of the
Oubangui. The falls are known for
their natural beauty and are easy to
see from a bridge.

Another significant waterfall in
C.A.R. is the Chutes de Boali, a 164-
foot cascade not far from Les
Chutes de la Mbi. These falls really
are worth a visit only in the rainy
season, when the cascades reach
full volume. The closest major town
to these waterfalls is Bossembele,
about 160 miles from Bangui off the
main road to Cameroon.

Capital: Abuja
Government: Multiparty government
transitioning from military to civilian rule.
Population: (2010 est.)152,217,341
Demonym: Nigerian
Currency: Naira

Geography
 Nigeria, one-third larger than Texas and
the most populous country in Africa, is
situated on the Gulf of Guinea in West
Africa. Its neighbors are Benin, Niger,
Cameroon, and Chad. The lower course
of the Niger River flows south through the
western part of the country into the Gulf
of Guinea. Swamps and mangrove forests
border the southern coast; inland are
hardwood forests.

Area of conflict
Religious conflicts in Nigeria
Violent religious clashes broke out in the city
of Kaduna in northern Nigeria on February
21 and have continued throughout the
week. Kaduna is the second largest city in
the north. The clashes followed a march by
tens of thousands of Christians to protest the
proposal to introduce Muslim sharia law as
the criminal code throughout Kaduna state.

Nigeria Christian / Muslim
Conflict
 Nigeria's two major religions, Islam and
Christianity, are sometimes depicted as
monolithic entities that confront each
other in pitched battles, with formal
implementation of the criminal aspects of
the Muslim shari'a legal code (or the
likelihood of implementation) providing
the spark that touches off violence. Riots
based (at least ostensibly) on religious
affiliation and religious policies have
indeed occurred, the worst such being
the two confrontations that took place in
Kaduna between February and May 2000.

Death, oil and religion: the
origins of conflict in Nigeria
run deep
 The coming of the new year was not
auspicious for Nigeria. Despite being rich
in oil, the country is overwhelmed by
corruption and violence.
 The north of the country has been torn
apart by terrorist attacks that saw police
stations bombed, cars torched and the
streets littered with bodies.

Deep fractures
Nigeria is riven by corruption at every
level, from the policeman at the
roadblock demanding a “fee” from a
lorry driver to the most senior politicians
– albeit the latter are able to wrap
much of their largess in the cloak of
legality.

 The Boko Haram Muslim terrorist sect in
northern Nigeria, founded in
2002, translates as “no to Western
education”. The organisation has been
responsible for up to 1000 deaths in
Nigeria over the past three
years, including those from the most
recent bombings in Kano.

Delta blues
 Northern Muslims' resentment at
perceived discrimination and
disadvantage has led to repeated
clashes in the fifty years following
independence, especially in northern
cities such as Kano and Kaduna, with their
large Christian populations. There have
also been sectarian Muslim vs Muslim
conflicts, often sparked by local
charismatic religious leaders.

 The religious and ethnic became the
main vehicles for political mobilisation in
the post-colonial era, threatening to tear
the nation apart. In 1966, a coup sparked
riots across the north, the massacre of
thousands of non-Muslim Igbo and,
ultimately, secession of Igbo-dominated
Biafra and the Nigerian civil war.

 The military sought to diffuse ethnic
tensions by creating 12 states, each with
a share in the newly discovered oil
bonanza, but this only fuelled minority
demands for the creation of even more
states. Today there are 36 states and 774
local government areas based on
ethnicity and religion.

 Revenues from oil production were
divided among the states, ostensibly to
enable the resource-poor to maintain
social services. But successive military
strongmen, politicians, corrupt
bureaucrats and businessmen swindled
much of the money. The people of the oil-
producing areas of the Niger Delta, who
bore the brunt of ecological degradation
by the oil industry and human-rights
abuses of the military, eventually took up
arms.

 When the military eventually handed over
power to a newly-elected civilian
government in 1999 there was a general
feeling of hope and renewal, often
couched in terms of a romanticised
history of the tribal-ethnic society.

 Twelve northern states introduced various
forms of Sharia law between 1999 and
2002, with Muslim politicians extolling a
“return” to traditional values. The non-
Muslim minority feared loss of human
rights and civil liberties. But in non-Muslim
areas, ethnicity and religion played no
less a role in defining “community”,
exclusion of “outsiders”, and notions of
rights and morality.

 One of the first acts of the new civilian
government was to grant the oil-
producing areas first call on 13% of
locally-derived oil revenue, in addition to
their share of revenue. While a long-
overdue compensation for decades of
neglect, this further enraged the poor and
unemployed in other parts of Nigeria,
especially in the Islamic North.

 The 2011 elections were marked by
violence, with more than a thousand
killed. But despite widespread electoral
fraud, these elections were more
creditable than the preceding three.
Some 72 of the 109 incumbent senators
lost their seats, while only 100 of the 360
members of the House held their seats.
PresidentGoodluck Jonathan , a southern
Christian, held on but violence escalated.


 Jonathan is being urged by colleagues and
the media alike to take control of the rapidly-
deteriorating situation in Nigeria. The
president, meanwhile, has vowed to focus on
the economy.
 But sadly, unless Nigeria‟s political leaders are
prepared to address problems of inequality,
corruption, and a more socially equitable
redistribution of oil revenue (worth US$59
billion in 2010), Nigeria faces a grim future.

Tourist spots
 Azumini Blue River Rose

 Azurnini Blue River is located in Abia State
towards its boundary with Akwa lbom
State. The River has become a resort for
tourists because of the pleasantness it
offers. The attractive features of the River
include its crystal-clear blue water; canoe
rides; sandy beaches with such relaxation
facilities as chairs and tables. At the
beach also, BBQ grill are delicacies
provided for picnickers

The Long JuJu Shrine of
Arochukwu

 Arochukwu is a famous tourist destination
with the cave of the famous long juju
oracle as a particular attraction.
 The cave is believed to hold the long
metal pipe through which the gods speak
to the people. A traditional religionist
would find the oracle quite an attraction.
It is, first and foremost, a religious centre
with a well-laid down administrative
structure headed by a Chief Priest.

 One of the numerous fine beaches in
Nigeria is the Ibeno Beach in Akwa lbom
State. A lover of water sport finds the
Beach which stretches to James town on
the Atlantic most inviting.

 Yankari National Park has become the
most developed Wildlife park in Nigeria
with a lot of attractions for visitors. The
park is famous for its variety of animals
available for viewing round the year,
though the animals are better watched
between November and May period of
the dry season when the animals
converge around the Gaji River, Baboons,
Waterbucks, Elephants, Crocodiles,
Bushbucks, Duikers, Warthogs,
Hippopotamus are among the anirnals
commonly seen at the park

 Erin Ijesha Water Falls in Osun state is
definitely a site to behold. Amazingly,
when you arrive at the falls, it doesn‟t look
like anything out of this world until you
begin climbing the seven levels of the
ascending plains of the waterfalls. The
view at all the levels is wonderful and the
freshness of the water is energizing.
However, the last and seventh level is
definitely the most intriguing, well that‟s if
you ever dared the torturous climb.

 Agbokim Waterfalls, Etung Local
Government Area – Magnificent waterfall
with 7 separate rivulets. Most spectacular
during the rainy season when on a lucky
day you have a chance to see the
rainbow across the face of the waterfall.
Its proximity to neighbouring Cameroon
offers a unique opportunity for cross-
border experience

Capital: N'Djamena
Government: Republic.
Currency: CFA Franc
Demonym: Chadian
Population (2012): 10,758,945

Geography
 A landlocked country in north-central
Africa, Chad is about 85% the size of
Alaska. Its neighbors are Niger, Libya, the
Sudan, the Central African Republic,
Cameroon, and Nigeria. Lake Chad, from
which the country gets its name, lies on
the western border with Niger and
Nigeria. In the north is a desert that runs
into the Sahara.

Area of conflict
 Current conflicts
 An armed conflict persists in Chad. In May
2007, Chad and Sudan agreed to stop
conflict spilling across their borders by not
supporting non-state armed groups in
their territory. However, cross-border
attacks continued in 2007 resulting in the
death and displacement of Chadian
citizens as well as of Sudanese refugees
living in Chad.

Despite the signing of a ceasefire
agreement by the Government and four
non-state armed groups, no lasting peace
has been reached and armed resistance
to President Idriss Deby's leadership has
continued to intensify.
In February 2008, a coalition of non-state
armed groups launched an offensive
against the Government, reaching the
streets of the capital N'Djamena and
coming close to the presidential palace,
with France sending extra troops to
support the Chadian army. The armed
groups responsible were pushed back to
Chad's eastern border with Sudan.

 In March 2008, the Presidents of Chad
and Sudan signed a peace accord in
Senegal aiming to halt five years of
hostilities between the two countries. As
the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan has
raged for the past five years, it has also
engulfed Chad. About 200,000 refugees
have fled into the borderlands, chased by
Arab militia and Government attacks,
leading to conflict in Chad

 Conflict continued in 2009. In May, the
Chadian government claimed that its
troops had defeated an attack by the
Union of Resistance Forces, a recently
formed non-state armed group, in the
volatile east but acknowledged that
some areas were still not under its control.
Chad and Sudan have continued to
accused each other of supporting non-
state armed groups operating on their
respective territories.

 The relationship between Chad and
Sudan has soured again in recent months.
In May 2008, violence between Chadian
and Sudanese armed groups flared up,
leading Sudan to cut diplomatic relations
with Chad responding by closing its
border and cutting economic ties.

 located between Sarh and Am Timan, in
the south of Chad. Created in 1963, it was
Chad's first national park, and has an
area of almost 3,000 square kilometres
(1,200 sq mi). It is entirely surrounded by
the Bahr Salamat Faunal
ReserveZakouma was neglected during
the period of civil conflict, but a
restoration programme, supported by
the European Union, began in 1989 and is
continuing in 2006. The area in and near
the Park has seen significant reduction in
certain wildlife species in recent decades

 N'Djaména, Chad's capital city, is finally
making a comeback after decades of
civil war decimated its streets and
buildings. The nightlife is raucous in certain
quarters, with plenty of bars and local
music. The historic quarter features an
active daily market, where tourists can
pick up colorful rugs and jewelry made by
the friendly residents. Visit the National
Museum for a look back into Sarh culture,
with some collections dating to the ninth
century.

Capital: Khartoum
Demonym: Sudanese
Population: 34.3 million
Currency: Sudanese Pound
Government: Provisional Government

Geography
 Location: North-eastern Africa, south of
Egypt, bordering the Red Sea, between
Egypt and Eritrea.
 Terrain: Generally flat with mountains in
east and west. The southern regions are
inundated during the annual floods of the
Nile River system.
Climate: Desert and savanna in the north
and central regions and tropical in the
south.

Area of conflict
 The 2012 South Sudan–Sudan border
war was an armed conflict between the
states of Sudan and the South Sudan in
2012 over oil-rich regions between the
South Sudan's Unity and the Sudan's South
Kordofan. The oil rich region Heglig is well
under the control of the Republic of
Sudan. Certain areas involved,
notably Abyei, are claimed by both sides
as part of their sovereign territory.

 The conflict in Sudan has many faces, the
best known are a „North-South‟ conflict,
„that problem in Darfur‟ or an „Arab-
African‟ conflict. The reality is that Sudan is
deeply complex with many isolated but
often overlapping conflicts that blur
common perceptions.

Local realities
 The fragile Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA) which was reached in
2005, in one way or another, affects
almost every state in the North and South
of Sudan. Beneath that numerous tribal
differences that continue to be
politicised, and bitter oil related conflicts,
exacerbate problems further. Such
complexities make it almost impossible for
outsiders to fully understand, once again
highlighting just how indispensable local
peacebuilders are. There are fears that
the conflicts in Sudan have the potential
to trigger a regional war, drawing in
neighbouring countries.

Since the referendum
 As the question of South Sudan‟s
(in)dependence is one of the major
disputes dividing North and South, a
Referendum, conducted in response to
the 2005 Naivasha Agreement
(Comprehensive Peace Agreement)
between the NCP and SPLM, was held on
the 9th January 2011 to decide whether
South Sudan should remain part of Sudan
or become autonomous. A similar
referendum was to be held in Abyei to
decide whether it joined the North or
South, but was postponed due to
complications.

 Significant problems predicted before the
Referendum have since surfaced. Darfur
has reemerged as conflict region, with a
sharp rise in violent clashes being
reported. New splinter rebel groups have
taken shape and are contesting fresh
demands in the South and East. The fate
of the oil rich border states are still
undecided, with the possibility of renewed
violence. Thousands of refugees have fled
conflict areas. And logistics over
citizenship and the splitting of the national
debt have yet to be worked out. These
problems threaten to derail the entire
process.

 Yet steps are being taken towards
resolving these issues facing the creation
of the world‟s newest nation. Peace talks
over a planned referendum in Darfur are
under way, ex-combatant reintegration is
taking a foothold and South Sudan‟s draft
constitution has successfully been
completed. It has yet to be seen in how
long and with how much difficulty the
secession is to be instated.

What has been happening to
cause conflict in Sudan?
 The civil war in Sudan began in 1983.
During the course of the war, which
ended in 2005, two million people were
killed and four million were made
homeless. The war was mostly fought
between the government and the SPLA
(Sudanese People's Liberation Army) who
wanted control of Southern Sudan.

 The discovery of oil in the south caused
further problems as the government did
not want the south to take all the wealth
from the oil. The Murahaleen - Arab
fighters on horseback from the north of
the country also assisted the government.
Many homes were burnt down and entire
villages destroyed. Women and girls were
raped, children - especially boys - were
kidnapped and put to work either as
slaves or child soldiers.

 The SPLA could also be accused of similar
atrocities. Many orphaned boys formed
large walking groups and walked across
the country to apparent safety in Ethiopia.
For some this involved walks of up to
several months. There was little food and
water and many children died of thirst,
starvation or by being taken by lions.
Many refugees ended up in refugee
camps in Ethiopia where conditions were
not much better at first. Eventually,
overseas aid arrived and food, clothes,
medical aid and education were
provided.

What are the impacts of civil
war on people in Sudan?
 Many Sudanese have never returned
home since the peace treaty in 2005.
There are many reasons for this. Some
refugees know nothing other than the life
they have had in the camps as they were
young children at the start of the war. For
some of them, they no longer speak the
local dialect of the area they came from
as, being orphans, there were no family
members to keep the languages alive.

 Many people cannot afford to return
home as they have nothing to go back
to. Their homes were destroyed and any
wealth they had (mostly in the form of
cattle) was taken by the Murahaleen
raiders. Not speaking the local dialect will
make finding employment difficult.

 This city is the capital of the country of
Sudan. This exotic city is located at the
meeting point of White Nile and Blue Nile.
To get to this city, you can avail the
Khartoum International Airport. This city is
also connected by various bridges as well.
Khartoum offers a number of places of
interest. Some of the major attractions are
National Museum of Sudan, Palace
Museum, Botanical Gardens,
Ethnographical Museum, St. Matthew‟s
Catholic Church and Sayeda El Bushara
Church, Khartoum Mogran, Mosques in
Khartoum, The War Cemetery and others.

 This is another important Tourist
Destinations of Sudan. This ancient city is
located at the eastern bank of the Nile
River. You can site this city at 200
kilometer north of Khartoum. Meroe is
dotted with about two hundred pyramids.
The railways are the most important mode
of transportation to reach the city. You
can also avail buses and lorries to get to
this place. Some of the major attractions
of the place are Temple of the God
Amun, Great Enclosure and pyramids.

 It is the capital city of the Red Sea State in
Sudan. This port city is also used as an exit
point to cross the Red Sea to Jeddah. This
city is facilitated by the presence of the
Port Sudan New International Airport. The
harbor at the mouth of the gulf also helps
in the easy transportation. The Red Sea
coast in Port Sudan is a major attraction
of the place.

Capital: Asmara
Currency: 1 Nakfa
Demonym: Eritrean
Population: 5.4 million (UN, 2011)
Government: transitional government

Geography
 Eastern Africa, bordering the Red
Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan.
 hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast;
cooler and wetter in the central highlands
(up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest
June to September); semiarid in western
hills and lowlands.
 dominated by extension of Ethiopian
north-south trending
highlands, descending on the east to a
coastal desert plain, on the northwest to
hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-
to-rolling plains

Area of conflict
 Ethiopia and Eritrea were involved in a
major border conflict in 1998 - 2000.
A peace agreement was signed in Algiers
in December 2000 between the leaders of
the two countries. A fragile truce has
since existed between the two nations. In
late 2007, both sides began to remilitarise
border areas.

 Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of refusing to
withdraw from the village of Badme,
where the war began, despite a
Boundary Commission 2002 ruling stating
that it belonged to Eritrea. Eritrea has
repeatedly called on the international
community to enforce the Commission's
ruling, while Ethiopia has insisted that
further border talks are needed.

 On 15 March 2012, Ethiopian forces
launched a military assault on positions
inside Eritrea, claiming that the latter was
training "subversive groups" to carry out
attacks inside Ethiopia. The raid was the
first attack by Ethiopian troops inside
Eritrean territory since the end of the war
in 2000 and targeted three camps where
rebels belonging to a faction of the Afar
Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front
(Arduf) were allegedly trained. The
Ethiopian Government spokesperson
warned of potential future such actions.

 "As long as Eritrea remains a launching pad
for attacks against Ethiopia, similar measures
will continue to be taken." On 16 March 2012,
Eritrea announced that it would not retaliate,
seeking instead to use the "appropriate
diplomatic channels" to resolve the issue and
denying that it was harbouring rebels. Border
skirmishes in the past year have observers
worried that they might spark conflict anew,
particularly given Ethiopia's reported plans to
develop potash mines in the Danakil region
close to the border with Eritrea, which it does
not want endangered by rebel attacks.

 After months of tension, serious clashes
erupted between 10 and 12 June 2008
between the Djibouti Armed Forces (DAF)
and the Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF)
along the disputed border between the
two Horn of Africa countries, in Ras
Doumeira and Doumeira Island. Although
the fighting was brief, Djibouti reported
that more than 35 of its troops were killed
and that many more were wounded. On
23 October 2008, Djibouti President Omar
Guelleh told the UN Security Council that
war was the only option unless the UN
took action on its border dispute
with Eritrea.

 Eritrea denied occupying Djibouti's territory. In
June 2008, the UN Security Council appealed
for negotiations and called on the two
countries to reach a ceasefire and withdraw
their troops from the border area.
Subsequently, in Resolution 1862 (2009), the
Security Council welcomed the fact that
Djibouti had withdrawn its forces to the status
quo ante and condemned Eritrea's refusal to
do so. In Resolution 1907 (2009) adopted
under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the
Council imposed sanctions on Eritrea over its
destabilising role in Somalia and for refusing to
withdraw its troops from the border with
Djibouti.

 The Council reiterated its calls on Eritrea to
stop destabilising its neighbours in Resolution
2023 (2011), which also called for the
implementation of the 2010-adopted
mediation agreement between Eritrea and
Djibouti. (See Peace treaties and UN
resolutions and reports sections) According
to Human Rights Watch, despite the
withdrawal of its troops, Eritrea was still holding
19 Djiboutian prisoners of war in 2011.


 National Museum Asmara is one of the
most visited tourist attraction in the
Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. The
National Museum Asmara is located in the
close proximity of the Selam Hotel.
Asmara has a long and interesting
historical background not only in the
recent context but also in ancient
context. The recent history of Asmara
dates back to the period of Italian rule
from the late 19th century, followed by
the era of British imperialism. When the
British left, Eritrea was divides between
Sudan and Ethiopia.

 The final war with Ethiopia for independence
concluded a little over a decade ago. All
these years of struggle has given the nation a
unique identity, the gist of which is neatly
synchronized in the National Museum of
Asmara. Among other kinds of exhibits in the
National Museum Asmara, the tombstones
from Dalak islands, findings from Adulis, and
Sabean material and scrolls in Ge'ez are the
chief attractions.

 Nda Mariam, Asmara's Orthodox
Cathedral is dedicated to St. Mary.
The main building is composed of three
massive elements, slightly up the hill,
which makes it another useful landmark in
Asmara.
 To the left and the right of the main body
there are two soaring towers, each
supporting a white construction which
contain the church bells. On top of these
structures, cylinder shaped brickwork
supports a concrete tukul.

 Above the two wooden doors, which have
frames of red ceramic tesserae, there is an
impressive mosaic structure showing religious
scenes done by the Italian painter Nenne
Sanguineti Poggi, on request of the clergy, in
the 1950s. She is also the creator of several
mosaics and frescos around Asmara -- see the
ones on the front of the old "Liceo" School,
those at the Agasien school, and the mosaics
in the tabernacle of the Church to St. Mary in
Axum.
 In front of the church are traditional stones
which were used as bells

The Dahlak Marine National
Park

 This marine park is located in the water body
adjoining the Dahlak Marine archipelago. This
area had been abandoned during the
Eritrea-Ethiopia conflict. During this time, the
marine life in the region had prospered
undisturbed, as fishing was not allowed.
Realizing the tourist prospect in the region, the
Eritrea government declared the region a
national park. Scuba diving is a daily activity
in the area and is conducted by a trained
group of divers who were previously freedom
fighters. There are more than 350 varieties of
fish and divers can even catch a glimpse of
wrecked ships in the waters. Entry to the area
is allowed with permission under special
supervision.

 This park is located at the foothills of a
mountain range in Eritrea, the average
height of which varies from 900 meters to
2400 meters. Leopards, klipspringers,
bushbucks, warthog and greater kudum
duiker are the common animals inhabiting
this national park. There are also a large
number of birds in the region.
The national parks of Eritrea have been
attracting a large number of tourists ever
since they were opened up for public
after the conclusion of the war.

 The Massawa Islands include the two
islands of Taulud and Massawa as well as
another main island, which houses several
residential buildings. These islands are
popular tourists attractions in Eritrea, the
uniquely designed buildings being the
focus of all attractions. The buildings either
belong to the Ottoman style architecture
or the coral block buildings. Significantly,
coral used to be a major material for
building houses.

 The residents of Dahlak Islands earn their living
by animal husbandry and fishing. Lifestyles of
these inhabitants are very simple. Tourists in
Dahlak Islands will get to see the mangrove
trees and coral reefs submerged in coastal
waters. Travelers can reach these islands from
Massawa. They can consult the Eritrea travel
guide before visiting the country. The favorite
tourist destination in Dahlak Islands is
Dekemhare.
In Dahlak Islands, tourists will love to spend
time fishing or go for a sail in the blue waters.
These islands are ideal location for scuba
diving. In theses islands tourists will get to see
the varied marine species like
sharks, dolphins, turtles and varied species of
sea fishes.

 Asmara zoo is an interesting place for
fun and enjoyment in the city of Asmara.
The zoo is located on the road leading to
Masawa. The zoo is located at an
accessible distance from different parts
of Asmara. This area is known as Biet
Ghiorgis. Tourists can reach the zoo by a
public bus of route number 1.To enter the
zoo visitors has to pay 2 Nakfa, which is
equivalent to 15 cents. This small zoo is
a centre of attraction for tourists
visiting the city of Asmara.

 The road leading to the Asmara zoo is a
clean and clear. The road is surrounded with
lush green trees. On the entrance of the
zoo, a board with several instructions meant
for visitors is visible. The animals found
in the zoo are hyenas, baboons, snakes,
lions, ostriches and several colorful
birds.
 The zoo in Asmara is full of herbs, plants
and variety of cactuses. The surrounding
area of the zoo overlooking the valleys and
gorges is a nice place for loitering and
walking. There is a British Cemetery just at
the entrance of the zoo. The zoo has a
playground for kids as well. Asmara zoo has
a nice restaurant and bar that serves a
variety of foods and snacks to the guests.
This food joint is a nice place to spend

Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin
Mosque

 Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque is one of the
major tourist attractions and religious places in
the city of Asmara, the capital of Eritrea. The
Al Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque is located in
the Peace Street of Asmara in the close
proximity of the covered markets. The palatial
mosque was built some sixty-nine years ago in
the year 1938. The building structure is
majestic and though most of the daily visitors
are worshipers, there are also a large number
of tourists.

Capital: Mogadishu
Demonym: Somali (85%), Bantu, Arabs
Population: 9.36 million (2010 UN estimate)
Currency: Somali shilling
Government: in the process of building a
federated parliamentary republic

Geography
 Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden
and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
 principally desert; northeast monsoon
(December to February), moderate
temperatures in north and hot in south;
southwest monsoon (May to October),
torrid in the north and hot in the south,
irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods
(tangambili) between monsoons

Area of conflict
Somalia has experienced almost constant
conflict since the collapse of its central
government in 1991.

 It was hoped the election of moderate
Islamist Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad as
president of a transitional government in
January and the departure of Ethiopian
troops would stop the violence, but
Islamist insurgents are keeping up their
almost daily attacks.

Who are the insurgents?
 The main fighters are from al-Shabab, a
radical faction that emerged from the
remnants of the Union of Islamic Courts,
routed by the Ethiopian forces that
invaded Somalia in 2006.
 The group, which is on the US terror list
and is said to have links with al-Qaeda,
now controls much of southern and
central Somalia and has imposed strict
Sharia law in those areas.

 They see President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh
Ahmed, a former UIC leader, as having
sold out for agreeing to head a
government backed by the international
community.
 This view is shared by another group of
Islamist fighters - Hisbul-Islam - formed
after Mr Ahmed become president in
January.
 One of its main leaders is Sheikh Hassan
Dahir Aweys, who together with Mr
Ahmed headed the UIC in 2006.

 Unlike previous divisions in Somalia, these
groups are not based on the clan system.

So what do they want?
 Power - so that Somalia is ruled by Sharia.
 President Ahmed's recent introduction of
Islamic law has not appeased them.
 They are followers of the Wahhabi school
of Islam, which is based on a more rigid
and literal interpretation of Islamic texts,
rather than mainstream Sunni schools
followed by most Somalis.

 The Islamists also want the African Union
peacekeepers, based in Mogadishu, to
leave.
 Mr Aweys, who recently returned from
exile, says he will not enter peace talks
with the government and his former ally
until these "invaders" have gone.

Will the government survive?
 Not necessarily. Military and intelligence
sources say many government troops
have defected to the insurgents.
 One assessment reckons the government
can only rely on some 4,000 fighters
against 6,000 from al-Shabab.
 Meanwhile, the AU peacekeepers, in the
capital to bolster the government, do not
have the mandate to pursue the
insurgents.
 Only 4,300 troops of a planned 8,000
strong force have deployed.

What is the international
response?
 There is little appetite for international
intervention given Ethiopia's recent
experience, which gave rise to the current
insurgency.
 Ethiopia initially intervened in late 2006 to
save the interim government and to
prevent the spread of fundamentalist
Islam in Africa, a concern shared by
America.

 But they suffered daily attacks - and at
the worst of the fighting the bodies of
dead Ethiopian soldiers were dragged
through Mogadishu, bringing to mind
similar events when the US intervened in
the 1990s - made famous by the film Black
Hawk Down.
 The UN backed the peace process which
led to the election of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh
Ahmed as president.
 In April, the international community
pledged more than $200m to Somalia to
beef up its security.

 Most of this is for the embattled AU to help
them with equipment and the training of
Somali forces.
 They are intended to oversee the creation
of 10,000-strong police force and the
training of 6,000 soldiers.

How are ordinary people
coping?
 The latest fighting is said to have forced
about 20,000 people from residential
areas of the capital, where the battles are
being played out by pro-government
forces and insurgent groups.
 And over the years hundreds of thousands
of Somalis have fled to neighbouring
countries.
 More than one million people, in a nation
the UN estimates to be of nine million, are
internally displaced.

 Drought is further exacerbating the
situation, with more than one third of the
population reliant on food aid.
 Many Somalis depend for their survival on
money sent home by their relatives
abroad.

 Hadaftimo is an historic town in the
northern Sanaag region of Somalia. It is
home to many archaeological sites and
ancient buildings. Hadaftimo was
previously a part of Maakhir state. In
January 2009, the territory was officially
incorporated into the autonomous
Puntland region in the northeastern part
of the country

 Somaliland is an unrecognised self-
declared de facto sovereign state that is
internationally recognised as an
autonomous region of Somalia. The
government of Somaliland regards itself
as the successor state to the British
Somaliland protectorate, which was
independent in 1960 as the State of
Somaliland, before uniting with the Trust
Territory of Somalia (the former Italian
Somaliland) later to form the Somali
Republic.

 Galgala is a growing town in Bari region
of Somalia. The town has ancient
markings of religious symbols and crosses
and ancient remains of a cairns which
commonly found in Sanaag and Bari,
Somalia regions.[citation needed] The
town has a population nearing 20,000.

Capital: Addis Ababa
Demonym: Ethiopian
Population: 84,734,262 (2011 est.)
Currency: Addis Ababa
Government: Federal Democratic Republic
of Ethiopia

Geography
 Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
 tropical monsoon with wide topographic-
induced variation
 high plateau with central mountain range
divided by Great Rift Valley
 small reserves of gold, platinum, copper,
potash, natural gas, hydropower

Area of conflict
 Conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea
 Africa in general, has suffered from artificial
borders drawn by former imperial and
colonial rulers, akin to what is usually
attributed to Imperial Britain as the "divide
and conquer" policy, but practiced by almost
all power brokers throughout history, ancient
and modern. A combination of Italy drawing
the maps in this region and later, Cold War
support for dictators, has been part of the
historical contributary factors, amongst others,
that have led to troubles today.

 Ethiopia's Haile Selassie was supported for
decades by the United States for
geopolitical and Cold War reasons. The
Soviet Union had supported Somalia in
their claim that parts of Ethiopia and
Kenya were part of Somalia. There was
actually a reversal of support by the two
superpowers in the 1970s as well.

 For the US's unrestricted use of a military base,
Selassie was given "aid" (i.e. military aid). This
unfortunately was used against Eritrean
secessionists and Ethopian guerillas in brutal
wars.
 Italy, the former colonial ruler of Eritrea, left in
1952. Ethiopia annexed it in 1962. (Not too
unlike the case between Indonesia and East
Timor.)
 30 years of war and conflict continued as
Eritrea attempted to gain independence,
joined by Ethiopian guerilla forces that were
also fighting against the harsh dictatorship. In
an April 1993 internationally monitored
referendum, where 98.5% of the registered
voters voted, and 99.8% of these voted for
independence, although the borders were
not defined clearly.

 For a while, the two nations seemed to get on
fairly well. However, relations further deteriorated
into war a couple of years after Eritrea introduced
its own currency in 1997. War again resulted over
what the BBC mention as a minor border dispute in
May 1998, and over differences on ethnicity and
economic progress approaches. The May 1998 -
June 2000 war alone resulted in 100,000 deaths
and millions of dollars diverted from much needed
development into military activities and weapons
procurements.
 However, the major reason for the recent conflict
is the fact that Ethiopia no longer has a border
along the Red Sea and therefore relies on going
through other countries such as Eritrea in order to
ship and trade goods along that line. (Ethiopian
propaganda has then meant it says to its people
that one of the things it wants to do is ensure a
more amenable government is in place -- of
course, one that agrees with Ethiopian interests.)

The Simien Mountain National
Park (North Gondar Zone)

 The Simien Mountain is the most
fascinating highlands in Africa, its highest
peak Ras Dejen has a height of 4620m
which is acknowledged to be the fourth in
the continent.Simien is located in Africa
and close to the Equator but surprisingly it
gets snow and ice on its highest
peak.During the night, temeperatures
drop to zero degrees.

The rock-hewn churches of
Lalibela (North Wollo Zone)

 Lalibela covers an area of about 642
kilometers from Addis Ababa. It‟s famous
for its rock-hewn churches that are at
times known as the Eighth Wonder of the
World. They were carved within the rock
and these monolithic churches were
established in the 12th century during the
supremacy of King Lalibela.However
among these have been acknowledged
to be built in the 10th century.

The Castles of Gondar and
other monuments (Gondar)

 Gondar is popular for its well designed
decorated churches and the numerous
medieval castles. The first castle was built
by Fasilidas and this still stands and in
good shape. Even after all these years, it‟s
still simple to climb and get to the roof. It
has a wonderful view of the entire scenery
of the city.

 The Blue Nile Falls is a waterfall on the Blue
Nile river in Ethiopia. It is known as Tis Abay
in Amharic, meaning "smoking water". It is
situated on the upper course of the river,
about 30 km downstream from the town
of Bahir Dar and Lake Tana

 Lake Tana is the source of the Blue Nile River
which begins right from Khartoum to the
Mediterranean. It‟s the largest lake in Ethiopia.
A Nile cuisine on Lake Tana is the best
moment to all tourists that visit Ethiopia; you
get a chance to see big concentration of
wildlife cooling off the heat. If you want to
hire a boat, this can be done at the Marine
Transport Authority located in Bahir Dar. For
bird watchers, Lake Tana is a home to many
bird species which include both migratory
and local birds. Furthermore Fasilidas Island is
one place to visit because it‟s a popular
wetland that harbors different kinds of bird
species.

 Capital: Yaounde
Demonym: Cameroonian
Population: 20,129,878 (July 2012 est.)
Currency: CFA Franc
Government: republic; multiparty
presidential regime

Geography
 Central Africa, bordering the Bight of
Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and
Nigeria
 slightly larger than California
 varies with terrain, from tropical along
coast to semiarid and hot in north
 diverse, with coastal plain in southwest,
dissected plateau in center, mountains in
west, plains in north

Area of conflict
 Land Ownership Conflicts in Cameroon
 For nearly a century, up until the 1960s, Africa
was colonised by Europe. During this period
the coloniser's laws replaced many
traditionally enforced regulations. After
independence the new African states
instituted laws that often mixed customary
practices and colonial rules. Using his home
country of Cameroon as a case, the author
illustrates how land-ownership conflicts in
Africa arose through this problematic mix of
tradition and modernity.

 In 2011, WWF produced a map of the
protected areas of Cameroon at the
request of the government.
Simultaneously, observations had been
made by conservation groups that mining
permits were being granted inside of
Cameroon‟s protected areas, though the
origin and credibility of the data was
unclear.

 Also in 2011, several mining companies
presented their credentials to the
conservators of the Campo Ma‟an and
Nki National Parks to inform them that
they would begin mining exploration
activities inside these protected areas.
This propelled WWF, CED, and RELUFA to
make an official request to the Ministry of
Mines in Cameroon for all valid mining
permits.

 also known as the Mus'Art Gallery focuses on
the preserving and promoting of the arts and
crafts of Cameroon's Western Grass fields. An
internationally renowned gallery, it's widely
recognized for having produced
masterpieces of the Arts and Crafts of
Cameroon. One of the popular places to visit
in Cameroon tourists flock out here for a taste
and also to better appreciate the material
culture of the people of the Cameroon Grass
fields as expressed by their wide-ranging and
diverse art forms. The museum is handled by
the Musa family, the proprietors of the Musa
Heritage Gallery and is open to visitors who
come for a trip to Cameroon.

 situated in the Far North Province of
Cameroon was founded in 1934. The Park
covers a total area of 1,700 sq km and when
was discovered was a used as a hunting
reserve. A famous hunt for adventure seekers,
one can go for long tracking through the
jungle and enjoy its green beauty. Managed
by the Conservation Service of the Waza
National Park, protection of the environment
and the nature is safeguarded here.

 with a hectare of 264,064 is located in the
South of Cameroon. The entire area of the
Park consists of four logging concessions, an
agro-forestry zone, and an agro-industrial
zone with rubber and palms as the main
plant. Tourists visiting can camp out here for
the day in the midst of various plants and
animals. Elephants, lowland gorillas, giant
pangolins, chimpanzees, hippos, mandrills
and black colobus are all found here and if
one is lucky enough then a site of the leopard
is also not unusual. The park is also home to
numerous number of plant and flower species
and well-known for its rich biodiversity.

 the highest mountain in Central and West
Africa in the city of Buea making it on of the
most sort after tourist's destination in
Cameroon. One of the important places to
visit in Cameroon, it's a place more apt for
adventures like hikers and climbers. Guides
are available from the city and the right
equipment can be hired if one does not have
what's needed. Trecking in this mountain is an
amazing experience that travelers cherish
throughout their life. Tin roofed huts are
present at intervals for hikers to rest and stay.
The famous volcano of Cameroon known
locally as Mount Faka and the "Chariot of the
Gods" is also one of Cameroon's main tourist
attractions.

Capital: Dar es Salaam
Demonym: Tanzanian
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TSh)
Government: republic

Geography
 Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian
Ocean, between Kenya and
Mozambique
 plains along coast; central plateau;
highlands in north, south

Area of conflict
 Who Owns Lake Nyasa?
 Oil exploration in Lake Nyasa has
rekindled disputes between Malawi and
Tanzania over who owns the lake.

 President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania
has insisted that war with Malawi is not a
feasible outcome of ongoing disputes
between the two countries over the
ownership of the lake which borders the
two countries.
 Lake Nyasa, known as Lake Malawi by
Malawians, has been the source of
disagreements since colonial times, which
were rekindled recently when Malawi
allowed gas and oil exploration to begin
around the lake‟s border. Rhetoric has
escalated over the past few months
although it seems both sides are now
attempting to calm tensions.

 At dawn, the natural scenery of the island of
Zanzibar, Tanzania is so wonderful. Zanzibar is one
of Tanzania's top destinations because of its
fascinating past and its incredible beaches.
Zanzibar's location in the Indian Ocean has made
it a natural trading center throughout its history.
Zanzibar has many beautiful beaches, that can be
enjoyed on any budget. Some of the surrounding
islands offer total paradise for the luxury traveler,
Mnemba island is absolutely idyllic for a romantic
vacation.
 Zanzibar is great for scuba diving, snorkeling,
and swimming with dolphins. Other attractions
include spice tours and the Jozani Forest, which
shelters a small population of red Colobus
monkeys.

 Ngorongoro Conservation Area also home an
abundance of wildlife, particularly in the
Ngorongoro crater. Formed by the same
volcanic activity that generated Kilimanjaro
and the Great Rift Valley, Ngorongoro consists
of the highlands around the crater (rich in
elephants) and the crater itself (similar
animals to Serengeti, but at higher densities
and with a small population of black rhino).

 Mafia Island is an undiscovered Tanzanian gem. It
has a rich history, and a strong Swahili culture
unspoilt by tourism. Much of the isalnd and its
beautiful beaches have been designated as a
marine park. It is one of the best places to deep-
sea fish, dive and snorkel in Africa. You can watch
whale sharks, turtles and many other interesting
species of wildlife. Mafia Island offers some
fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling. You may
also get to swim with whale sharks, as this is one of
the few areas in the world where they congregate
annually.

Capital: Monrovia
Demonym: Liberian
Currency: Liberian Dollar (LRD)

Geography
 Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire
and Sierra Leone
 tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot
days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy
summers with frequent heavy showers
 tropical rain forest deforestation; soil
erosion; loss of biodiversity; pollution of
coastal waters from oil residue and raw
sewage

 The Sapo National Park is situated at the
county of Sinoe. This is one of the relaxing
places in the country because it is considered
as the top national park in Liberia. The place
features different animal species like the
Giant Forest Hog, the African Civet, the Great
Blue Turaco and the White-Necked Rockfowl.
In addition to these, the other species that
can be featured in the site are the bee-
eaters, leopards, crocodiles as well as the
kingfishers.

 One of the coastal towns in the country is
Buchanan. This place features one of the
largest ports in the area. The town is very
popular because fighting were held in the
place during the Liberian Civil War. Aside
from the port, people can also find iron
ore mines in the town.

 The Firestone Plantation in Liberia is one of
the historic places in the country. This
place is very controversial because the
workers at the plantation were allegedly
forced to work. In addition, there are also
reports regarding child labor in the
plantation in the early 1900s.

 Another nice site to see in the country is
Monrovia. This city features numerous
beaches where people can enjoy various
water activities like snorkeling and
swimming. Aside from the beaches,
people can also visit the restaurants that
offer delicious local dishes.

 If you want to relax, you can enjoy the
nature by visiting the City of Zwedru. The
place is popular for featuring numerous
tropical forests as well as the anteater
creek. Different animal species are also
present in the place. The city is also known
for its wood products sector.

Capital: Conakry
Demonym: Guinean
Currency: Guinea Bissau

Geography
 Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau
and Sierra Leone
 generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type
rainy season (June to November) with
southwesterly winds; dry season
(December to May) with northeasterly
harmattan winds

Capital: Accra
Demonym: Ghanaian
Currency: Ghanian Cedi
Government: constitutional democracy

Geography
 Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of
Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
 tropical; warm and comparatively dry
along southeast coast; hot and humid in
southwest; hot and dry in north
 mostly low plains with dissected plateau in
south-central area

Area of conflict
 Chieftaincy is becoming a major source of
conflict in Ghana
 The National Security Advisor, Brigadier Nunoo
Mensah has told CitiFM that the Chieftaincy
institution in Ghana is gradually turning into a
major source of conflict and tension in the
country and should therefore be modernized
to make it more beneficial for the people of
Ghana.

 His comments follows recent controversies
and tensions arising from the utterances
of two of Ghana‟s most promonent chiefs
– the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II
and the Ga Mantse King Tackie Tawiah III.
The Ga Mantse recently slammed
President Mills for refusing to give him the
recognitions he deserves because of
perceptions that he was enstolled by the
erstwhile NPP government, a statement
that rekindled the controversy surrounding
his legitimacy as the King of the people of
Ga Mashie.

 The Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu, on Monday,
March 15, threatened to cause the arrest of the
Techiman chief if government failed to do so.
The Techiman chief had allegedly used some
macho men to arrest and humiliate the
Tuobodom Chief who owes allegiance to the
Ashanti golden stool.
The situation has generated a lot of confusion and
clashes between some youth of Kumasi and
Techiman.
On Tuesday, March 14, some Macho men,
belonging to a group calling itself Ashanti
Freedom fighters besieged the Kejetia lorry station
in Kumasi and threatened to prevent passengers
from travelling to Techiman because, according
to them, the Chief of Techiman had disrespected
the Asantehene. One person was severly injured in
the process.

 General Nunoo Mensah believes that
Ghana cannot sit aloof as these
unfortunate developments rage on.
“I am of the view that Chieftancy is
becoming a major problem in this
country. From the national security point
of view it is a major source of conflict and
tension in this country and the earlier we
look at the institution and modernize it
and make it more useful for our
development, the better it will be for all of
us.” He told Citi Breakfast Show host
Bernard Avle.

 Meanwhile, Brigadier General Nunoo Mensah
(retired) says Government is committed to
resolving the current impasse and tension
between the Asanteman council and the
Techiman council of chiefs before it
degenerates into a bigger problem.
According to him, the Government is fully in
charge and will not look unconcerned as
tensions rise in the two regions.

 Speaking to Citi news Wednesday morning
after an emergency meeting with
Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu in Manyhia,
the security adviser urged all the parties to
exercise restraint and be assured that the law
will take its course against any individual or
group of persons found breaching the law.
He said the Government will take a decision
on the matter as soon as it meets with the
Techiman chief who has been accused for
causing the kidnapping of a Tuobodom chief
who pays allegiance to the Asantehene.

 “…It may look like a little problem but if we
don‟t handle it properly, it can get nasty so
the government wants to react to whatever is
happening very quickly and assure
everybody that the government is in charge
and the government wants to make sure that
the law takes it cause. If anybody has
offended anybody, the law is there to deal
with that person but we appeal to Otumfuor
and the Asanteman that peace should reign
and no one should do anything to disturb the
peace of country and that the government
will act as soon as the facts are brought
before the president sometime today.” He
said

Central africa

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