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Sierra Leone sends lone athlete for the nation's second ever Paralympic Games

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 14:00:05 GMT

2012 Summer Paralympics

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Saturday, August 25, 2012

Image: CIA Fact Book.

London, England — When Mohamed Kamara enters the Olympic Stadium during the 2012 Summer Paralympics Opening Ceremony on Wednesday night representing Sierra Leone, he will become only the second Paralympic competitor to ever represent his country. Sierra Leone's previous Paralympic appearance came at the 1996 Summer Paralympics when the country as represented by Marah Kelley, a javelin thrower who remains the only female to have ever represented the country at the Paralympics.

Kamara, a T46 classified athletics competitor, is scheduled to race in the men's 100 and 200 metre events in London. The 200 meters is scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday, the third and fourth days of Paralympic competition, and the 100 meter event is to happen on September 6.

Sierra Leone's neighbor Liberia will be making their own history, when they make their Paralympic debut when powerlifter James Siaffa competes in London.

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African Olympians and Paralympians prepare for their London odyssey

Fri, 29 Jun 2012 05:56:05 GMT

Wikinews Sports

Sources[edit]

Paul Mutharike. "Malawi Olympic Committee treasurer in contract scam" — Nyasa Times, June 27, 2012
"Malawi Olympic team touches down in Gloucestershire" — Gloucestershire Echo, June 27, 2012
Jocelyn. "Blade Runner may miss London Games" — The Roar, June 29, 2012
Esther Addley. "London 2012: Olympic training camps spread Games fever across the UK" — The Guardian, June 25, 2012
Mohamed Touileb. "Serrer les gants et monter d’un cran" — La Tribune (Algeria), June 23, 2012 (French)
"L’équipe algérienne a pris part au tournoi de Trakai (Lituanie)" — La Tribune (Algeria), June 27, 2012 (French)
Ronel van Zyl. "Team SA @ the London Olympics: Kate Roberts" — The South African, June 28, 2012
Associated Press. "Last chance for Pistorius to qualify for Olympic" — ESPN, June 28, 2012
Nick Cremona. "Longhorns past and present take over Olympic Trials" — The Daily Texan, June 24, 2012
Steve Phillips. "With the summer Olympics six weeks away, athletes are training around the globe to prepare for London." — WBIR, June 20, 2012
Orkula Shaagee. "Nigeria: Ndanusa Sure of Olympics Medals in Relays, Others" — Daily Trust, June 26, 2012
Gowon Akpodonor. "No room for jamboree athletes in London, AFN insists" — The Guardian (South Africa), June 29, 2012
William Njugna. "Kenya: Bristol Storm" — The Star (Nairobi), June 26, 2012
Bernard Momanyi. "Kenya: Olympian Kemboi in Knife Fight With Woman" — Capital FM (Nairobi), June 28, 2012
Collin Matiza and Godknows Matarutse. "London Games Countdown" — The Herald (Zimbabwe), June 28, 2012
Angola Press. "Athletes Participate in Penultimate Competition Before London2012" — AllAfrica.com, June 26, 2012
Rwanda Express (Kigali). "Rwanda: Paralympic Athlete Nsengimana Qualifies for London Games" — AllAfrica, June 26, 2012
New Vision (Uganda). "Uganda: Achola, Chemos Confident" — AllAfrica, June 26, 2012

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Charles Taylor gets 50 years for war crimes

Wed, 30 May 2012 19:05:08 GMT

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Liberia

Sources[edit]

Marlise Simons and J. David Goodman. "Judge Gives Taylor 50 Years for ‘Heinous’ Crimes in War" — The New York Times, May 30, 2012
"Charles Taylor jailed for 50 years" — Press Association, May 30, 2012
Owen Bowcott. "Charles Taylor to be sentenced for war crimes" — The Guardian, May 30, 2012
David Blair. "War crimes court hands Liberia's Charles Taylor 50-year jail term" — The Daily Telegraph, May 30, 2012

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Liberian ex-President Charles Taylor convicted in war crimes trial

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:24:35 GMT

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Liberia

Sources[edit]

"Charles Taylor guilty of aiding Sierra Leone war crimes" — BBC News Online, April 26, 2012
Owen Bowcott. "Charles Taylor aided and abetted Sierra Leone war crimes, Hague court finds" — The Guardian, April 26, 2012
Bruno Waterfield. "Charles Taylor found guilty of 'aiding and abetting' war crimes" — The Daily Telegraph, April 26, 2012
Neil Millard. "African war crimes despot Charles Taylor faces jail in Britain" — The Sun (United Kingdom), April 26, 2012

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Nelson Mandela charity official resigns over 'blood diamonds'

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:03:44 GMT

South Africa

Sources[edit]

"Mandela charity trustee resigns over Campbell diamonds" — BBC News Online, 18 August 2010
"Mandela charity official resigns amid 'blood diamond' outcry" — Agence France Presse, 18 August 2010

External links[edit]

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Mia Farrow, Carole White testify in Charles Taylor's war crimes trial

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 01:46:24 GMT

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Sierra Leone

Sources[edit]

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

Selah Hennessy. "Mia Farrow's War Crimes Testimony Contradicts Naomi Campbell" — Voice of America, August 9, 2010
Selah Hennessy. "Hague Testimonies Contradict Campbell's Claim in Liberia War Crimes Trial" — Voice of America, August 9, 2010
"Charles Taylor 'gave Naomi Campbell diamonds'" — BBC News Online, August 9, 2010
"Charles Taylor trial: Celebrity witness evidence" — BBC News Online, August 9, 2010

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Naomi Campbell testifies against former Liberian president

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:46:05 GMT

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Sierra Leone

Sources[edit]

"Extra security for Campell at trial" — Press Association, 4 August 2010
"Supermodel to Testify Against former Liberian President Taylor" — Voice of America, 4 August 2010
"Extracts from Naomi Campbell's testimony" — BBC News Online, 5 August 2010

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Note that some listed sources or external links may no longer be available online due to age.

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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Negotiations for hijacked Saudi oil tanker begin

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:17:19 GMT

Thursday, November 20, 2008

MV Sirius Star off the coast of Somalia on November 19.

Vela International Marine, the Saudi Arabian company that owns the MV Sirius Star oil tanker which was captured by pirates on November 15, has begun negotiations with the Somali pirates.

The Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al Faisal said that talks had begun, but he did not say whether a ransom would be paid. Vela International Marine, which is owned by state-owned Saudi Aramco, would only say it is "working toward [the crew's] safe and speedy return."

"We do not like to negotiate with pirates, terrorists or hijackers," said Saud al Faisal in Rome, after speaking with Franco Frattini, the Foreign Minister of Italy.

Dubai-based television network Al Jazeera broadcast an audiotape of a man who said he was with the pirates. He identified himself as Farah Abd Jameh.

"Negotiators are located on board the ship and on land. Once they have agreed on the ransom, it will be taken in cash to the oil tanker. We assure the safety of the ship that carries the ransom. We will mechanically count the money and we have machines that can detect fake money," the man said. He did not mention any specific amounts for the ransom.

	We do not like to negotiate with pirates, terrorists or hijackers.
—Saud al Faisal, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia

The British Foreign Office released a statement Wednesday which identified two of the crew as chief engineer Peter French and second officer James Grady. The rest of the 25-man crew are from Croatia (1), Poland (2), Philippines (19) and Saudi Arabia (1). They are all reported to be safe.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that the Royal Navy was coordinating a European response.

Dominique Montecer, the director of operations at GEOS Group, a corporate risk management firm, cast doubt on a military response.

"Everything is possible but it would take extraordinary means and organization, and the risk of an ecological disaster is very high. They are sitting on a bomb," Montecer said.

The Gulf of Aden

"It's certainly a very complex environment to work in — a Liberian-flagged vessel, owned by a Saudi company, in Somali waters, with so many different nationalities on board," said Lt. Nate Christensen of the United States Navy when asked about the possibility of taking back the Sirius Star by force.

"Shipping companies are already making decisions not to go through the Gulf of Aden, and making the decision to take the much longer route around the south of Africa," said Peter Hinchcliffe, marine director of the International Chamber of Shipping. "And with the increase in intensity of attacks, that is something that is going to be much more frequent. It's adding let's say an average of two weeks to the passage time."

Since the capture of the Sirius Star, pirates in the Gulf of Aden have taken at least three other ships. These include a Chinese ship carrying wheat, a Greek bulk carrier, and a Thai fishing vessel.

Pirates stand guard aboard the MV Faina on October 19.

The International Maritime Bureau reports that Somali pirates currently hold 14 ships along with an estimated 250 crew members. Since January, there have been over 30 hijackings in the area, while another 60 ships have been attacked.

Among the ships still held is the Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina, which has a cargo of 33 Russian T-72 battle tanks, as well as other weapons. The Faina was hijacked on September 25.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy has reported that it encountered and destroyed what it called a pirate "mother ship" on Tuesday. India dispatched frigate INS Tabar last month to protect its merchant shipping in the Gulf of Aden. The pirate vessel reportedly threatened the Indian frigate after it was hailed.

Several NATO members, as well as Russia, India and Malaysia have all sent warships to the region to protect merchant shipping in the area. The Combined Task Force 150, formed as a multinational coalition in the War on Terrorism, was restructured in 2006 to aid in anti-piracy efforts.

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Sources[edit]

Wikipedia has more about this subject:

List of ships attacked by Somali pirates

David Brown. "Sirius Star officers named as negotiations begin with pirates" — The Times, November 19, 2008
Caroline Alexander and Flavia Krause-Jackson. "Saudi Oil Tanker Owners in Negotiations With Pirates" — Bloomberg L.P., November 19, 2008
Derek Kilner. "Somali Pirates Talk Ransom for Supertanker" — Voice of America, November 19, 2008

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Pirates capture Saudi oil tanker

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:22:26 GMT

Monday, November 17, 2008

Somalia

Sources[edit]

Wikipedia has more about this subject:

MV Sirius Star

Wikipedia has more about this subject:

List of ships attacked by Somali pirates

"Somali pirates hijack Saudi oil tanker" — BBC News Online, November 17, 2008
"Somali pirates seize supertanker loaded with crude" — Associated Press, November 17, 2008
"SKorea plans to send warship to combat Somali pirates" — Associated Press, November 17, 2008

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Bush starts off Africa trip in Benin

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:25:03 GMT

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States, upon arrival in Benin, with Chantal de Souza Yayi, First Lady of Benin.

Yayi and Bush previously met at the White House in December 2006.

U.S. President George W. Bush, accompanied by his wife Laura, began his five-nation trip to Africa today in Benin, where he met with President Yayi Boni and participated in a joint press conference. This is Bush's second visit to Africa and the first time any US president has visited Benin. Topics that were discussed included malaria, cotton, and the crises in Kenya and Darfur.

At the press conference, held at Cadjehoun International Airport in Cotonou, Yayi thanked Bush for coming to visit and praised him for his "great concern for Africa, its well being, and of the development of its people." Bush then commended the government of Benin for their "fight against corruption" and "firm commitment to the investment in its people".

"Your fight against corruption is visible and easy for the people to see," Bush said. "This is such a good lesson ... because leaders around the world have got to understand that the United States wants to partner with leaders and the people, but we're not going to do so with people that steal money, pure and simple." Benin is one of the recipients of the Millennium Challenge Account, which aims to foster economic growth in countries that are deemed to have effective governments and economic freedom.

On the topic of malaria, Bush mentioned the Malaria Initiative, which intends to provide a mosquito net for every child to prevent the spread of the disease. He also mentioned initiatives to facilitate the spread of HIV and AIDS. "We can save lives with an aggressive, comprehensive strategy," Bush said. "And that's exactly what you're putting in place here in Benin."

	The United States wants to partner with leaders and the people, but we're not going to do so with people that steal money, pure and simple.
—George W. Bush

The economy was also an important issue. President Yayi said he and President Bush discussed diversifying Benin's economy away from its dependence on cotton. "He shared his vision with us, and he is encouraging us to diversify the sources of solutions to the problem that we have today, namely the cotton industry." Yayi says it is hard competing with cotton markets in Asia and the United States. Bush said the World Trade Organization is willing to help Benin's economy, but he also suggested exporting more cotton-based products in addition to raw cotton.

Bush said the United States will help facilitate a peacekeeping force in Darfur, but will not send troops to the region. "I made the decision not to [send troops], upon the recommendation of a lot of the groups involved in Darfur, as well as other folks ... once you make that decision, then there's not many other avenues except for the United Nations and the peacekeeping forces."

When asked about the situation in Kenya, Bush said he has sent Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to visit the country on Monday to support former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in mediating the conflict. "Kenya is an issue ... and that's why I'm sending Secretary Rice there to help the Kofi Annan initiative - all aimed at having a clear message that there be no violence and that there ought to be a power-sharing agreement," said Bush.

White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley said Rice's visit will only last a few hours. "It's basically to go in, give some impetus, but then step out and let Kofi Annan continue his diplomacy," he said. At a press briefing aboard Air Force One, one reporter questioned what could be accomplished in a few hours and asked why the President didn't go to Kenya instead. Ambassador Jendayi Frazer answered with, "Secretary Rice's engagement on Kenya has been much longer than a few hours. She has been talking to President Kibaki and Raila Odinga before the election, right on the eve of the announcement, immediately after that. And so she's been very much engaged over the last three or four months on dealing with electoral crisis."

"The purpose of her going is to back Kofi's mediation, it's not to take over that mediation," Frazer continued. "President Bush does not need to go to Kenya at this point. At the right moment in time, the President will engage, but right now it's occurring in a very systematic way to back Annan's mediation, not to try to supplant Annan's mediation."

After spending three hours in Benin, Bush flew to Tanzania, where he will stay for three nights. He will then continue his trip in Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia.

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Sources[edit]

Tabassum Zakaria, Samuel Elijah. "Bush starts Africa trip with call for Kenya deal" — Reuters, February 16, 2008
Scott Stearns. "President Bush Says African Success Stories are Example for Rest of Continent" — Voice of America, February 16, 2008
Ben Feller. "Bush: US is engaged in African conflicts" — Yahoo! News, February 16, 2008
Press Release: "President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with President Yayi of Benin" — White House, February 16, 2008
Press Release: "Press Briefing by Ambassador Jendayi Frazer" — White House, February 16, 2008
"Bush, first lady begin tour of Africa" — CNN, February 16, 2008

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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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Sierra Leone sends lone athlete for the nation's second ever Paralympic Games

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