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'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:52:14 GMT

Thursday, January 26, 2012

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A Wikinews introduction to the 2012 World Economic Forum.

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel gave yesterday's opening address to the 42nd meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which is facing a distinctly different geo-political landscape from twelve months ago. Outside the WEF security cordon, in the sub-zero temperatures of Davos' train station car park, the local incarnation of the Occupy movement are setting up 'Camp Igloo'; but, with little hope of the archetypes of the 1%, 'Davos Man', arriving by public transport and seeing their sub-zero protest.

Occupy WEF protesters completing one of the 'Camp igloo' structures Saturday ahead of the 2012 World Economic Forum in Davos.
Image: @Occupy_WEF.

David Roth, heading the Swiss centre-left's youth wing — and an organiser of 'Camp Igloo', echoes much of the sentiment from 'Occupy' protests around the world; "[a]t meetings the rest of society is excluded from, this powerful '1 percent' negotiates and decides about the fate of the other 99 percent of this world, [...] economic and financial concentration of power in a small, privileged minority leads to a dictatorship over the rest of us. The motto 'one person, one vote' is no longer valid, but 'one dollar, one vote'."

Finishing touches being put to the 2012 conference's stage setup.
Image: World Economic Forum.

Roth's characterisation of 'Davos Man', a term coined by the Professor Samuel Huntington of Harvard University, is more emotive than that of the late professor who saw 'Davos man' as "[having...] little need for national loyalty, view[ing] national boundaries as obstacles that thankfully are vanishing, and see[ing] national governments as residues from the past whose only useful function is to facilitate the elite's global operations".

As Reuters highlights, many attendees will opt to make their way from Zurich to Davos by private jet, or helicopter, and the WEF itself provides handouts indicating the cost of such is 5,100 Swiss francs (approx. 5,500 USD, 3,500 GBP, 4,200 EUR). In contrast: travelling by rail, even when opting for first class — without an advance booking, is 145 Swiss francs (approx. 155 USD, 100 GBP).

Shifting fortunes see several past attendees missing this year's exclusive get-together in the alpine resort; for a second year running — and now caught up in the UK phone hacking scandal being scrutinised by Lord Leveson's inquiry — media mogul Rupert Murdoch will not be attending. Nor will the former head of financial services company UBS Oswald Gruebel, who resigned in the wake of US$2.3 billion losses incurred through unauthorised trading; likewise, Philipp Hildebrand, the ex-head of the Swiss National Bank, is absent following scandal associated with his wife's currency trading activities; and, although the sexual assault charges against Dominique Strauss-Kahn were dropped, having stepped down as managing director of the International Monetary Fund Strauss-Kahn will also be absent.

As the #OccupyWEF protesters were building igloos last weekend, an anti-WEF protest in the Swiss capital Berne was broken up by police, who stated their intent to prosecute participants in the illegal protest. Allegations of calls for violent protest action led to a high number of officers being involved. In the aftermath, charges of breach of the peace are to be brought against 153 people, with some targeted for more serious offences. At least one group involved in the protest described the police response as "disproportionate".

Image of Berne riot police dealing with an anti-WEF protest last weekend.
Image: agfreiburg, Flickr.

At 'Camp Igloo' Roth says he is seeking discussions with the WEF's expected 2,000 attendees; but his voice, and that of others in the worldwide 'Occupy' movement, is unlikely to be given a platform in the opening debate, "Is 20th-century capitalism failing 21st-century society?" He, and others taking part in this Swiss incarnation of the 'Occupy' movement, are still considering an invite to a side-session issued by the World Economic Forum's founder, Klaus Schwab; commenting on the invite Roth told the Associated Press they would prefer a debate at a more neutral venue.

A changing landscape of risks [edit]

As has been the case for several years now, the annual Forum meeting in Davos was preceded with the release of a special report by the World Economic Forum into risks seen as likely to have an impact the in the coming decade. The 2012 Global Risks Report is a hefty document; the 64-page report is backed with a variety of visualisation tools designed to allow the interrelations between risks to be viewed, how risks interact modelled, and their potential impacts considered — as assessed by the WEF's panel of nearly 500 experts.

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The WEF video introduction to their 2012 Risk Report.
Image: World Economic Forum.

As one would expect, economic risks top both the 2012 impact and likelihood charts. Climate change is pushed somewhat further down the list of concerns likely to drive discussions in Davos. "Major systemic financial failure" — the collapse of a globally important financial institution, or world currency, is selected as the risk which carries the most potential impact.

However, "Chronic fiscal imbalances" — failing to address excessive government debt, and "Severe income disparity" — a widening of the the gulf between rich and poor, top the list of most likely risks.

At the other end of the tables, disagreeing respectively with the weight last year's Wikinews report gave to orbital debris, and the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) fight with the Internet over copyright legislation, the 2012 Global Risks Report places "Proliferation of Orbital Debris" and "Failure of intellectual property regime" bottom of the league in terms of potential impact.

In 2011, with the current global economic crisis well under-way, "Fiscal crises" topped the WEF risks with the largest potential impact in the next ten years. However, perceived as most likely a year ago, "Storms and cyclones", "Flooding", and "Biodiversity loss" — all climate-change related points — were placed ahead of "Economic disparity" and "Fiscal crises".

More mundane risks overtake the spectre of terrorism when contrasting this year's report with the 2011 one; volatility in the prices of commodities, consumer goods, and energy, and the security of water supplies are all now ranked as more likely risks than terrorism — though the 2011 report did rank some of these concerns as having a higher potential impact. A significant shift in perception sees the 2012 report highlight food shortages almost as likely a risk the world will face over the next decade; and, one with a far more significant impact.

Dealing on the Davos sidelines [edit]

Attending the World Economic Forum at Davos is more than just an opportunity to discuss the current state of the global economy, and review the risks which face countries around the world. With such a high number of political and business leaders in attendance, it is an ideal opportunity to pursue new trade deals.

File photo of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Image: Ted Buracas.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is, in addition to being a keynote speaker, expected to pursue improved relations with European and Asian trade partners at private meetings on the Forum sidelines. The Toronto Star reports Harper is likely to push forward an under-negotiation Canadian-European free-trade agreement, and hold closed-door discussions prior to next month's planned trip to China.

Similarly, Canadian trade minister Ed Fast is expected to meet South Korean counterparts to discuss an equivalent deal to the preferential ones between the Asian nation and the US and Europe. Fast's deal does, however, face opposition at home; the Canadian Auto Workers union asserts that such a deal would put 33,0000 jobs at-risk.

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British Prime Minister David Cameron and chancellor George Osborne are expected to discuss a possible increase of UK funding to the International Monetary Fund (IMF); however, with the UK responsible for 4.5% of the US$400 billion in the IMF's lending fund, backbench MPs have warned that committing any additional funds could provoke a Conservative revolt in parliament. Tuesday's IMF cut of predicted global growth from 4% to 3.3%, warnings of a likely Eurozone recession in 2012, and ongoing problems with Greek financial restructuring, are likely discussion topics at Davos — as well as amongst UK backbench MPs who see adding to the IMF war-chest as bailing out failed European economies.

South Africa, less centre-stage during the 2011 Forum, will be looking to improve relationships and take advantage of their higher profile. President Jacob Zuma and several cabinet members are attending sessions and discussions; whilst former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to moderate a session, "Africa — From Transition to Transformation", with Nigeria, Guinea, and South Sudan's presidents on the panel. Wal-mart's CEO Doug McMillon is to lead a dinner session, "Shared Opportunities for Africa's Future" — highlighting larger multinationals looking towards the continent for new opportunities.

Davos may also serve as a place to progress disputes out of the public eye; a high-profile dispute between Chile's state-owned copper mining business, Codelco, and Anglo American plc over the 5.39 billion USD sale of a near-quarter stake in their Chilean operations to Japan's Mitsubishi, prompted the Financial Times to speculate that, as the respective company chiefs — Diego Hernández and Cynthia Carroll — are expected to attend, they could privately discuss the spat during the Forum.

Sources [edit]

This article features first-hand journalism by Wikinews members. See the collaboration page for more details.

This article is a featured article. It is considered one of the best works of the Wikinews community. See Wikinews:Featured articles for more information.

Angela Charlton (AP). "AP Interview: Davos Forum founder says capitalism is out of balance, warns conflicts await" — Newser, January 24, 2012
Graeme Wearden, Julia Kollewe. "Eurozone crisis live: Greek creditors defiant after EU ministers reject deal" — The Guardian, January 24, 2012
John Ivison. "Settling a beef with S. Korea" — National Post, January 24, 2012
Simon Kennedy. "Davos Man Diminished by Scandal With Murdoch Perennials Missing" — Bloomberg L.P., January 23, 2012
Emma Thomasson, Ben Hirschler. "Davos man weighs future of capitalism" — Reuters, January 23, 2012
Tonda MacCharles, Les Whittington. "Stephen Harper heads to rub elbows, twist arms at Davos forum" — Toronto Star, January 23, 2012
"Police to press charges over anti-WEF demo" — Swissinfo, January 22, 2012
Alec Hogg. "Africa is back in the limelight for WEF 2012" — Moneyweb, January 19, 2012
Jude Webber. "Codelco attacks Anglo over ‘illegitimate’ sale" — Financial Times, January 19, 2012
"Chancellor faces Tory rebellion as UK considers boost for IMF" — Yorkshire Post, January 18, 2012
Adrian Monck. "Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel Opens World Economic Forum Annual Meeting" — World Economic Forum, January 18, 2012
"Global Risks 2012 - Seventh Edition" — World Economic Forum, January 2012
"Global Risks 2011 - Sixth Edition" — World Economic forum, 2011
Timothy Garton Ash. "Davos man's death wish" — February 2, 2005

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Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 03:02:17 GMT

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Health

Sources [edit]

"Africa united in fight against polio outbreak" — The Botswana Gazette, 5 March 2010
"85 Million Children To Be Immunized Against Polio In West And Central Africa" — Voice of America, 5 March 2010

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Guinea swears in civilian prime minister

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:59:10 GMT

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Guinea

Other stories from Guinea

26 January 2012: 'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
27 January 2010: Guinea swears in civilian prime minister
11 December 2009: Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader
7 December 2009: Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

...More articles here

Location of Guinea

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Guinea, see the Guinea Portal

Jean-Marie Dore has been sworn in as the prime minister of the Guinean transitional government, who has been charged with ending military rule in the country and organising elections.

"[Democratic elections are] indeed the required path for our country to attain stability," Dore said at the inauguration ceremony today. He asked for General Sekouba Konate, the president of the interim government, to "reorganise and restructure the military with the support of the international community."

According to the BBC, the interim government's plan is to launch an election with half a year.

"I am committed to leading Guinea toward free, credible and transparent elections, which is a necessary passage for the country," he said in a speech.

Dore's was appointed less than two months when the Guinean junta leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, was badly injured in an attempted assassination, reportedly by one of his former aides.

Camara, who sustained gunshot injuries to the head, agreed to remain in neighbouring Burkina Faso, while he recovers from his wounds. President Konate, who was the defence minister under Camara, assumed control after Camara's incapacitation. Camara agreed to allow Konate to select a civilian prime minister.

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Sources [edit]

"Guinea appoints civilian PM" — Al Jazeera, January 27, 2010
Caspar Leighton. "Guinea interim PM Jean Marie Dore takes office" — BBC News Online, January 26, 2010
"Amid worry, Guinea begins transition to democracy" — Washington Post, January 26, 2010

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Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:02:22 GMT

Friday, December 11, 2009

Guinea

Other stories from Guinea

26 January 2012: 'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
27 January 2010: Guinea swears in civilian prime minister
11 December 2009: Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader
7 December 2009: Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

...More articles here

Location of Guinea

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Guinea, see the Guinea Portal

Guinea's military government has said that it arrested about 100 soldiers, as it investigates the attempted assassination of military ruler Moussa Dadis Camara.

File photograph of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara.

According to state officials, the detained soldiers are allies of presidential guard chief Lieutenant Aboubacar Sidiki Diakite, who is suspected of being behind last Thursday's shooting.

Diakite, who also goes under the name of "Toumba," is still at large; a reward worth 200 million Guinean francs or about US$40,000 was reportedly offered for information leading to his capture.

Meanwhile, a top Guinean military official has made his first public appearance since taking over government affairs while Camara recovers from head wounds in a Moroccan hospital.

General Sekouba Konate, Guinea's defence minister, appeared on state television on Wednesday meeting with soldiers, and urging them to be disciplined and united. There are fears in Guinea that a power struggle may break out while Camara recovers.

Camara's medical condition remains unclear, although government officials say he is doing well.

On Wednesday, the government suspended crisis talks with opposition groups until Camara returns home. One opposition leader accused the government of withdrawing from the talks to stay in power longer. The opposition has called for Camara and other military leaders to step down. Before the December 3 shooting, however, the junta had said Camara must be part of any transitional government.

Camara was apparently shot during an argument with Diakite over who should take responsibility for the killing of dozens of opposition protesters in Guinea's capital, Conakry, on September 28.

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Sources [edit]

This article includes material from Guinea Arrests 100 Soldiers by VOA News, which is in the public domain.

"Guinea Arrests 100 Soldiers" — VOA News, December 10, 2009
"Guinea Arrests 100 Soldiers Over Camara Shooting" — RTT News, December 10, 2009

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Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:28:38 GMT

Monday, December 7, 2009

Guinea

Other stories from Guinea

26 January 2012: 'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
27 January 2010: Guinea swears in civilian prime minister
11 December 2009: Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader
7 December 2009: Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

...More articles here

Location of Guinea

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Guinea, see the Guinea Portal

Morocco said earlier today that Guinea's military ruler, Moussa Dadis Camara, has undergone successful surgery for gunshot wounds sustained on Thursday in an apparent assassination attempt. Guinea's military government is offering a reward for the capture of the former head of the presidential guard whose men are accused of carrying out the attack.

File photo of Captain Camara

The inspector of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces' health services said that Camara has had successful surgery for head trauma. In a statement issued by Morocco's official press agency, Dr. Ali Abrouq said Camara's condition is "not worrying."

"The current health condition of the Guinean president does not inspire concern," Abrouq noted in a statement. "The result of the operation is favorable."

Camara flew to Morocco on Friday after being shot the day before by men loyal to his former aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Aboubacar Sidiki Diakite, who is also known as Toumba. Toumba escaped the attack, and is still at large with a group of the presidential guard.

Harouna Kone, a spokesman for the junta, commented that Camara should be able to return to Guinea by Wednesday. "The president is doing very well and we expecting that he will come back maybe on Wednesday [...] he is in the Royal Hospital of Rabat, and I think that everything is well there. He called last night and [spoke] with his minister of communication and they discussed about something,” he said, as quoted by the Voice of America news agency.

Security forces, meanwhile, are patrolling Guinea's borders in search of Toumba, and the government is offering a reward for information leading to his capture.

Guinea's vice-president and defense minister, General Sekouba Konate, became the interim leader following the attempted assassination.

Thursday's shooting followed an argument between Toumba and Camara about who should take responsibility for the killing of opposition demonstrators two months ago. Witnesses say Toumba gave the order for the presidential guard to open fire on people protesting Camara's expected presidential candidacy.

Local human rights groups said that at least 157 people were killed on September 28; the military put the number at 57 people.

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Sources [edit]

This article includes material from Morocco Says Health of Guinea's Injured Military Leader 'Not Worrying' by VOA News, which is in the public domain.

"Morocco Says Health of Guinea's Injured Military Leader 'Not Worrying'" — VOA News, December 6, 2009
"Military Junta Spokesman Says, Guinea’s Leader to Return Wednesday" — VOA News, December 6, 2009
"Guinea president 'favourable' after head surgery" — BBC News Online, December 6, 2009
"Guinea leader's health no cause for concern: doctor" — Wall Street Journal, December 6, 2009

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Guinean junta head in 'stable' condition after shooting, soldiers searching for gunman

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:55:33 GMT

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Guinea

Other stories from Guinea

26 January 2012: 'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
27 January 2010: Guinea swears in civilian prime minister
11 December 2009: Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader
7 December 2009: Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

...More articles here

Location of Guinea

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Guinea, see the Guinea Portal

File photograph of Captain Camara, taken in August 2009

Soldiers in Guinea are searching for the former head of the presidential guard whose men are accused of shooting and wounding the country's military leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara. Camara is being treated at a hospital in Morocco, where he is reportedly in "stable" condition.

The country's security forces are searching for former aide-de-camp Lieutenant Aboubacar Sidiki Diakite, whose men opened fire on military ruler late on Thursday, according to officials.

The former aide, who is also known as Toumba, escaped after the assassination attempt and is still at large with a small group of the presidential guard. Toumba has been identified by several witnesses as the man who gave the order to open fire on opposition demonstrators two months ago.

In a telephone call, Diakite commented that he was located "in a safe place" within Guinea. "I am in Guinea, I am free to move about," he said, as quoted by the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency.

Meanwhile, spokesman Idrissa Cherif said to the AFP that Camara's life was not in danger, and that the wound was not life-threatening. "He is very well. We have spoken on the telephone, there are no problems and his condition is stable," Cherif said, adding that "the bullet did not penetrate his head but grazed it."

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Sources [edit]

"Shot Guinea junta head 'stable' after operation" — Agence France-Presse, December 6, 2009
"Soldiers in Guinea Search for Shooter of Military Leader" — VOA News, December 5, 2009

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International pressure mounts on Guinean military junta to withdraw from elections

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:36:07 GMT

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Guinea

Other stories from Guinea

26 January 2012: 'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
27 January 2010: Guinea swears in civilian prime minister
11 December 2009: Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader
7 December 2009: Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

...More articles here

Location of Guinea

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Guinea, see the Guinea Portal

International pressure is mounting on Guinea's military junta to withdraw from the country's planned elections by the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, and the European Union.

The Hague court announced in a statement on Wednesday that it is deciding whether the events of September 28 amount to crimes against humanity, when people died at a sports stadium in the capital Conakry. Rights groups say soldiers shot 157 people, with thousands injured and women raped, claims denied by Guinea's rulers. The United Nations is also investigating these claims separately.

Also on Wednesday, Karel de Gucht, the EU's development chief added to calls for a trial citing "an act of brutality never seen before".

African leaders called for the military junta to pull out of the upcoming elections in three months, ahead of the ultimatum from the African Union today. Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's leader, had promised not to take part in the January presidential elections when he took power, but has since said that he may run, causing many people to protest.

However, a spokesman for the Guinean junta dismissed reports of increasing tensions. "Guinea is doing well, we experience more external than internal pressure," Idrissa Cherif said in a televised broadcast in Burkina Faso.

It is also likely that sanctions will be applied, as hinted by Nigeria, which currently holds the chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States.

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Sources [edit]

"African Union piles pressure on junta as deadline looms" — France 24, October 17, 2009
"ICC investigates Guinea 'abuses'" — BBC News Online, October 17, 2009

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Guinea to launch investigation into killing of protestors

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:38:06 GMT

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Guinea

Other stories from Guinea

26 January 2012: 'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
27 January 2010: Guinea swears in civilian prime minister
11 December 2009: Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader
7 December 2009: Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

...More articles here

Location of Guinea

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Guinea, see the Guinea Portal

Guinea's military government has said that it is launching what it calls an independent investigation into last week's killing of opposition demonstrators by security forces.

Military ruler Captain Moussa Dadis Camara told state television that the commission of inquiry is his government's response to calls from the international community, political opponents, and local human rights groups to prosecute those responsible for last Monday's violence.

A Justice Ministry statement said that the commission will include members of the ruling military council, political parties, trade unions, civil society groups, human rights organizations, lawyers, judges, and university professors.

In all, the military government said 31 people will investigate what happened when security forces opened fire on opposition demonstrators at Conakry's main sports stadium. Human rights groups say at least 157 people were killed in the clashes. The military says 57 people were killed, most in the crush of protesters fleeing the stadium.

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara in August 2009

Captain Camara has blamed both "uncontrollable elements" of the military and political opponents who he said should not have staged an illegal protest.

Opposition leaders say they will not join proposed regional efforts to mediate the crisis unless Captain Camara resigns and his military council is dissolved.

There was no immediate word on whether opposition groups would take part in the military government's probe into the killings last week.

The Economic Community of West African States says it is organizing a regional investigation involving both the United Nations and the African Union.

Human Rights Watch says that is an "excellent move." But it also supports Guinea's own inquiry into the events of September 28.

"You could have up to 150 or even more murders of mostly peaceful demonstrators. Not to mention the horrific sexual abuse that happened against an unknown number of women and other abuses that were happening including theft and looting and so on," said Corinne Dufka, head of the Human Rights Watch operations in West Africa. "This was done by all accounts by members of the security forces. They need to be held accountable."

Dufka said the volume of photographic evidence of sexual assaults against women at the protest should be front and center in any investigation. "You see security forces from a number of different corps," said Dufka. "You have members of the presidential guard. You have what appear to be members of the military, the police, and the gendarmerie. So right there you have a number of people who are responsible."

The demonstrators were protesting Captain Camara's expected run for the presidency. He has not yet formally announced his candidacy, but has told supporters that he will not insult them by ignoring their demands that he run.

The African Union suspended Guinea following Captain Camara's December coup. The AU said it will sanction him later this month unless he makes clear that he will not be a candidate in elections scheduled for January.

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Sources [edit]

This article includes material from Guinea Military Announces Investigation into Killing of Protesters by VOA News, which is in the public domain.

Scott Stearns. "Guinea Military Announces Investigation into Killing of Protesters" — VOA News, October 8, 2009
"Guinea to probe rally shootings" — BBC News Online, October 8, 2009

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At least 50 killed in clashes in Guinea

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:43:17 GMT

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Guinea

Other stories from Guinea

26 January 2012: 'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
27 January 2010: Guinea swears in civilian prime minister
11 December 2009: Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader
7 December 2009: Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

...More articles here

Location of Guinea

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Guinea, see the Guinea Portal

Witnesses and medical officials say at least 50 people have been killed in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, in clashes between security forces and opposition activists who defied a government ban on protests.

Conakry, the capital of Guinea (2007)
Image: Ppntori.

Witnesses say Guinea's security forces opened fire on demonstrators who had gathered in a large stadium to protest against the possible presidential candidacy of Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, the country's military leader. They also say police charged protesters with batons, used tear gas, and detained several opposition leaders.

	We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in.
—Doctor at Conakry city university medical centre

"We have counted 52 bodies and six more have just come in," the city's university medical centre's doctor said.

On Sunday, Captain Camara's government said all protests would be prohibited until national independence celebrations are held on October 2.

"All demonstrations on national territory are prohibited until the national holiday on October 2," said Frederic Kolie, the interior minister, in a televised address on Sunday.

However, opposition activists decided to proceed with the demonstration they had planned for Monday. Some carried signs that read "No to Dadis", and others chanted "We want true democracy." Some of the demonstrators set furniture on fire as they marched from the outskirts of the capital into the city.

"[...] Conakry can be rightly described as a police state [...] All across town, military people at checkpoints are searching people and people have been forced back into their houses," said Al Hassan Silah, a local journalist, to the Al Jazeera news agency.

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara.

Captain Camara took power in a coup last December, following the death of Guinea's longtime President Lansana Conte.

When he took power, Captain Camara said no one in his ruling council would run for public office. However, the council has since said its members are eligible to be candidates, and Captain Camara has suggested he may run for president in elections, which are scheduled for January 2010.

The African Union said it may impose sanctions on Guinea if Captain Camara decides to run for president. It said it was concerned about what it called a "deteriorating situation" in the country and the consequences of not returning to constitutional order.

Opponents have also accused Mr Camara and his ruling council of human rights abuses and limiting freedom of speech.

Supporters of Guinea's military council are calling the threatened sanctions unfair.

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Sources [edit]

This article includes material from At Least 50 Killed in Guinea Opposition Protest by VOA News, which is in the public domain.

Wikipedia has more about this subject:

2009 Guinea protest

"At Least 50 Killed in Guinea Opposition Protest" — VOA News, September 28, 2009
"Guinea soldiers shoot dead 'dozens' of protesters" — telegraph.co.uk, September 28, 2009
"Deadly clashes erupt in Guinea" — Al Jazeera, September 28, 2009

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Military dissolves Guinean government

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:54:53 GMT

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The coup took place just hours after the death of Lansana Conte
Image: kremlin.ru.

Guinea

Other stories from Guinea

26 January 2012: 'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps
7 March 2010: Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children
27 January 2010: Guinea swears in civilian prime minister
11 December 2009: Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader
7 December 2009: Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

...More articles here

Location of Guinea

To write, edit, start or view other articles on Guinea, see the Guinea Portal

A military led group has announced on national television that it has dissolved the government of Guinea and suspended the country's constitution.

The group performing the apparent coup d'etat has called itself the National Council for Democracy.

The coup took place just hours after the death of the Guinean president, Lansana Conte, who died aged 74. The cause of death is currently unknown.

Before his death, Conte ruled the country as a dictator.

The now suspended constitution states that the president of the country's National Assembly should become the new leader of the country. However, since the constitution has been dissolved, it is unlikely that this will take place.

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Sources [edit]

Wikipedia has more about this subject:

2008 Guinean coup d'état

"Military takes control in Guinea" — BBC News Online, December 23, 2008
"Military-led group announces coup in Guinea" — Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 23, 2008

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African nations gather to support a ban on cluster bombs

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:36:13 GMT

Thursday, April 3, 2008

An American B-1b Lancer drops cluster bombs.
Image: U.S. Air Force.

A 39-nation coalition in Africa passed a declaration on Tuesday to ban cluster bombs in a nearly unanimous vote. The gathering in Lukasa, Zambia was the first meeting of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) in Africa.

"Africa is ready for Dublin," summarised Zambian delegate Robert Mtonga, referring to the upcoming May 19-30 meeting in Ireland to discuss a global ban on the weapons. "Too often Africa's voice is pushed to the margins in international decision-making. But in banning cluster bombs worldwide, a common African voice will speak volumes and win the day".

	Too often Africa's voice is pushed to the margins in international decision-making. But in banning cluster bombs worldwide, a common African voice will speak volumes and win the day.
—Robert Mtonga, Zambian delegate

Mtonga was critical of South Africa, the lone voice against Monday's decision and the continent's largest producer and stockpiler of cluster bombs, and called on the country to destroy its munitions and join the coalition to outlaw their use. Egypt, the only other African nation to produce the controversial weapons, voiced support for the ban.

"Strong political will" was credited with the resolution, by CMC co-ordinator Thomas Nash in recognising the drive "to stop the proliferation of this outdated weapon".

In a released statement the CMC said that 19 African countries, including South Africa, have endorsed the Wellington Declaration. The Wellington Declaration is the basis for the upcoming negotiations at the Dublin Diplomatic Conference in Ireland in May.

While countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom have tabled the idea of a "transition period" during which time cluster bombs would remain a legitimate weapon of war, the African delegation was resolutely against the idea, calling for an immediate ban.

Cluster munitions are dropped from aircraft, opening in mid-air and releasing a large number of smaller explosives over a wide area. Writer Theodora Williams stated that their use usually results in "...the death and maiming of thousands of innocent civilians".

There are currently 13 African nations that possess cluster bombs although Uganda has recently announced they are destroying their stockpiles. The weapons have been used in eight African conflicts in the past 35 years. In addition to Ethiopia, Morocco, Nigeria and the Sudan, other nations known to have used the weapons are the former Yugoslavia, Eritrea, France, Israel, the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the United States, China, Russia, and Israel have resisted any ban on cluster bombs, arguing that they can be used in self-defense. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the United States has lobbied allies to create loopholes in the upcoming Oslo treaty, to allow for the use of cluster bombs. Reuters reported that a U.S. official had stated that cluster bombs should not be banned if they are used responsibly in state conflicts.

In October 2007, Uganda became the first African country to state it would destroy its cluster bomb stockpiles. Uganda has announced a pan-African meeting to take place after the Dublin meeting, which would seek to garner support for the signing of a treaty in Oslo set to take place in December 2008. The weapons have been used in eight African conflicts in the past 35 years.

The CMC is an international network composed of over 250 civil society organizations in 60 countries, with the stated aim of protecting civilians from cluster munitions. Members of the CMC have been working to complete an international treaty to ban cluster munitions by 2008.

At the February CMC committee meeting in New Zealand, only 82 of the 122 nations present endorsed a draft ban on the production, usage or storage of cluster bombs.

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Sources [edit]

Learn more about Cluster bomb and Cluster Munition Coalition on Wikipedia.

Agence France-Presse. "SA ‘must destroy cluster bomb stockpile’" — The Times, April 1, 2008
Moses Magadza. "Zimbabwe: Need for Cluster Bomb Ban Treaty" — The Herald (Zimbabwe), April 1, 2008
International Campaign to Ban Landmines. "Strong landmark African Declaration to ban cluster bombs - only South Africa calls for exceptions to the ban" — Press Release, April 1, 2008
Hugh Macleod. "Nations working to ban cluster bombs" — San Francisco Chronicle, March 17, 2008

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Wikinews Shorts: March 30, 2007

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 02:37:16 GMT

A compilation of brief news reports for Friday, March 30, 2007 .

1 Boat capsizes in Guinea, up to 60 dead
2 Maradona out of danger
3 Thailand elections announced
4 Ethiopian helicopter shot down in Somalia

Boat capsizes in Guinea, up to 60 dead [edit]

A boat carrying around 120 passengers capsized and sank off the coast of Guinea and as many as 60 did not survive. State television called the type of boat a pirogue, which is usually used for fishing. However, many people living in coastal communities in Guinea use open boats to travel between towns due to the poor roads.

Sources

"Casualties in Guinea boat capsize" — BBC News Online, March 30, 2007
Saliou Samb. "At least 60 dead as boat capsizes off Guinea" — Reuters, March 29, 2007

Maradona out of danger [edit]

Diego Maradona, the Argentinian soccer legend is stable and recovering after being hospitalized on Wednesday. Doctors said that he was given sedatives to curb alcohol cravings. This is not the first health crisis for the 46 year-old Maradona.

Sources

Luis Ampuero. "Maradona sedated to stop alcohol cravings" — The Australian, March 30, 2007
Luis Ampuero. "Maradona sedated in hospital" — Reuters, March 29, 2007
"Maradona 'sedated and recovering'" — BBC News Online, March 29, 2007

Thailand elections announced [edit]

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has announced that a general election will be held on December 16 or 22. At the same time, he resisted requests from the military for emergency powers as anti-coup protests grow. Surayud was appointed prime minister by the military after the overthrow of his predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra in a coup last September.

Sources

"Thai PM sets post-coup vote date" — BBC News Online, March 30, 2007
Pracha Hariraksapitak. "Thai PM rejects emergency law, calls Dec poll" — Reuters, March 28, 2007

Ethiopian helicopter shot down in Somalia [edit]

An Ethiopian helicopter battling rebel forces near Mogadishu in Somalia was hit by a missle and crashed. No survivors were reported. Ethiopian troops are helping Somali government forces against an insurgency. Dozens were killed in fighting on Thursday as a six-day truce was broken.

Related news

"African Union peacekeepers come under attack in Mogadishu" — Wikinews, March 8, 2007

Sources

"Helicopter shot down in Somalia" — BBC News Online, March 30, 2007
Mohamed Olad Hassan, AP. "Report: Helicopter Shot Down in Somalia" — Guardian Unlimited, March 30, 2007

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West African cholera claims more than 500 lives, more deaths feared

Fri, 02 Sep 2005 01:27:11 GMT

Thursday, September 1, 2005

Mural in West Africa depicting the effects of cholera.

An outbreak of cholera in West Africa has resulted in the deaths of more than 500 people, and United Nations (UN) health officials are concerned that inadequate health services in the region could result in many more deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that over 31,250 cases of cholera have been reported so far this year in nine West African countries. It has claimed 488 lives at this point. "If we look at this year's trends, the figures are still going up in many countries," said John Mulangu, a senior regional advisor for the WHO. "If cholera is not brought under control in certain regions, we will soon be talking of... 100,000 cases," he said. "And hospitals and health centres will be overwhelmed. Last year we were not on this scale. The problem is getting worse," Mulangu said.

The UN says that the increase could also be related to the fact that due to poverty, many West Africans move around, sometimes out of the country, in order to receive higher wages for their work, and the region has been hit with heavy rains. This helps spread the disease, according to the UN.

"We are about to enter the harvest season where people will be moving around," said Herve Ludovic de Lys, the head of OCHA's West Africa office. "The main goal is to halt the transmission of this disease," he said. "It's not business as usual. This crisis needs a rapid response."

The following West African nations have all been hit by cholera epidemics: Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. The WHO issued a statement on Thursday that more countries were at risk. "Outbreaks are likely to spread to Central Africa - Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad - in the next weeks," it said.

Sources [edit]

"Cholera epidemic 'needs attention'" — Associated Press, September 2, 2005
"WEST AFRICA: Cholera kills nearly 500 people, more deaths feared" — IRIN, September 1, 2005

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'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps

A changing landscape of risks [edit]

Dealing on the Davos sidelines [edit]

Related news [edit]

Sources [edit]

Polio vaccination campaign targets 85 million African children

Sources [edit]

Guinea swears in civilian prime minister

Sources [edit]

Guinea arrests 100 soldiers in connection with attempted assassination of leader

Related news [edit]

Sources [edit]

Guinean military leader in 'favourable' condition after attempted assassination

Sources [edit]

Guinean junta head in 'stable' condition after shooting, soldiers searching for gunman

Sources [edit]

International pressure mounts on Guinean military junta to withdraw from elections

Sources [edit]

Guinea to launch investigation into killing of protestors

Related news [edit]

Sources [edit]

At least 50 killed in clashes in Guinea

Sources [edit]

Military dissolves Guinean government

Sources [edit]

African nations gather to support a ban on cluster bombs

Sources [edit]

Wikinews Shorts: March 30, 2007

Contents

Boat capsizes in Guinea, up to 60 dead [edit]

Maradona out of danger [edit]

Thailand elections announced [edit]

Ethiopian helicopter shot down in Somalia [edit]

West African cholera claims more than 500 lives, more deaths feared

Sources [edit]