On September 3 2004, a new regional newspaper, “The Southern Times”, was launched in the Zimbabwean resort town of Victoria Falls following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on media cooperation between Zimbabwe and Namibia. The MOU between the two countries was signed in February this year culminating in the joint venture between Zimpapers whose flagship is The Herald, and the New Era of Namibia, which will give birth to the Southern Times project.

It is a simple matter to give a child a gun, drug him up to the eyeballs and tell him to kill your enemies. But Father Henry de Penfentenyo, a Roman Catholic priest who runs a youth centre in the rebel-held north of Cote d'Ivoire, says it takes his large team of carers several weeks, and usually several months, to rehabilitate each one to the point where he or she can be sent back home safely.

After national protests by teachers last week, the latest negotiations between the union and government have been described as "positive". Talks continued late on Friday night as South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) representatives and officials from the national Department of Education tried to come to a satisfactory agreement. Last Thursday, thousands of teachers around the country took to the streets to show their frustration at the breakdown in negotiations. Almost 90 000 teachers heeded the protest call.

Africa Action has warned against efforts by the international community to unfairly foist on the African Union the ultimate responsibility for stopping the genocide in western Sudan. Following a September 1 report on Darfur submitted to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Kofi Annan, Africa Action reiterated the call for an immediate and robust multinational intervention. Salih Booker, Executive Director of Africa Action, said, "While we commend the African Union for its efforts to address the Darfur crisis, we must recognize its real limitations. The African Union does not have the resources to lead a strong and urgent intervention in Darfur, though it can form an important part of such an international response."

On 18 August 2004, the "Mirror" newspaper, a weekly English tabloid, was served with a rescission order providing for the return of all its computer equipment by the sheriff of Lesotho's High Court. This follows the seizure of the newspaper's computer equipment after being served with a writ of execution in a civil defamation case.

Cameroonian teachers have decided to go on strike from October 6 to 29, if the government does not ameliorate the status of teachers in the country. This is one of the major declarations made during a press conference, last Friday, in Yaounde.

Government hopes that a revised benefits offer to educators will avert a South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) strike may be dashed after the union dismissed the offer as "disappointing". Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine FraserMoleketi's offer came as Sadtu's showdown with her department gathered momentum. Sadtu chief negotiator Fikile Hugo said that his union, the largest in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council, might strike if government did not announce "something tangible" at a meeting with union negotiators on Friday.

Gladys Charowa

People with disabilities (Spinal Cord Injuries) held a five day national workshop for trainers from August 23 - 27 2004 at Ruwa National Rehabilitation Centre near the capital Harare. The aim was to physically empower newly injured people in hospitals and rehabilitation centres with information on how to manage their conditions after injuries. Research has revealed that if newly injured people are given adequate information about their conditions early, and from people in similar situations, it would reduce the period of time spent in hospital and rehabilitation centres and will save on resources of the patient and government Other research also reveals that in under developed countries, people with spinal cord injuries die within two years after their injuries due to lack of information and poverty.

Recent research studies worldwide reveal that sexual violence in the education sector is an unaddressed problem. This report from the Panos Institute attempts to address this gap by focusing on the problem of sexual violence in educational institutions all over the world, and argues that educational institutions, due to the level of respect they hold in communities, can help break the cycle of violence through addressing it vigorously where it happens, and ensuring that curricular and extra-curricular opportunities equip young people to navigate their sexual lives without violence.

Education officials from around the African continent unanimously support abstinence messages but argue over condom distribution at schools. While schools are under pressure to distribute condoms at schools, not one of the 12 African countries represented at a high level meeting in Durban is doing so and most education officials felt this would be inappropriate.

Action Aid

Action Aid is seeking applications for the position of country director in its Nigeria programme. The holder will be responsible for managing and strengthening the organisation's work with marginalised communities which aim to help advance human rights and social justice. The successful applicant will have a proven track record in leading development programmes, advocacy activities, fundraising and organisational development.

International Rescue Committee

You will be responsible for the supervision of all programs at the field site and for IRC Sierra Leone's compliance with USAID's grant regulations and conditions. The successful applicant will have three to five years experience working overseas in a humanitarian setting and experience with implementing USAID projects.

Oxfam UK

The position holder will be responsible for leading the ongoing development of a humanitarian protection strategy for Oxfam's response in North Sudan. The successful applicant must have at least three years experience working on issues related to the protection of civilians during conflict and have strong familiarity with international law, namely in the area of refugee and humanitarian law.

Christian Aid

Christian Aid is seeking applications from individuals to lead the development and management of the organisation's programme in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania). You must have at least five years experience of international development work, including project management and have experience of working with a local organisation in the south, ideally in Africa.

Concern Worldwide

The position holder will be responsible for the management and provision of technical support to Concern's nutrition programme in Eritrea and for the preparation of donor proposals and reports. The successful applicant will have at least three years field experience in managing emergency and on-going nutrition programmes. To apply, send your CV to:

Mango provides financial management services to relief and development organisations. The link below contains information on venues and dates for Mango training for September 2004 to January 2005.

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), invites applications from post-doctral African scholars for its Advanced Research Fellowship Programme for 2004. Candidates from all disciplines of Social Sciences and Humanities interested in advanced research of any African social reality will be considered for this award to the value of US$10 000.

A new research guide to Ethiopia has been added to Forced Migration Online. It provides an overview of key information on forced migration issues, and gathers together important resources available online and elsewhere.

Security sources said that two illegal Egyptian immigrants died and 18 others were injured from excessive heat after being deported by Libyan authorities. The Egyptian sources told United Press International the immigrants, trying to sneak into Europe through Libya, were deported by Libyan authorities to the Egyptian border.

“The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is an international Animal Welfare organisation with a regional branch in Mombasa, Kenya. WSPA deals primarily with animal protection, legislation, campaigning and education in animal welfare and humane education. Our education department is responsible for producing materials for schools and communities such as newsletters, teachers’ resource packages, and guides on animal care amongst other things. Last year we compiled poetry from members across Africa and published a small in-house anthology which was then distributed to members across Africa.”