An appeal court in Nouakchott confirmed the one-year imprisonment sentence imposed on Abdel Fettah Ould Abeidna, managing editor of the Al-Aqsa newspaper, for defaming businessman Mohamed Ould Bouammatou, on February 11, 2008. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)'s correspondent reported that the court also set aside the initial 300 million ouguiyas (approximately US $1,204,577) damages awarded against the journalist, pending the determination of befitting damages to Bouammatou.

Reporting to the Associate Director, the incumbent is primarily responsible for all capacity building activities administered by CSHR. The incumbent manages and oversees the planning, organizing, and day-to-day operations of the Human Rights Advocates Program, an annual four-month training program for human rights activists from around the world. The incumbent is also responsible for overseeing the administration of the Third Millennium Foundation Fellowships, which CSHR has been contracted to coordinate.

The Center for the Study of Human Rights seeks to hire a part-time grantwriter as a consultant beginning immediately. The grantwriter will be responsible for writing letters of inquiry, proposals, and other funding documents for a variety of programs, including the Human Rights Advocates Program, a capacity-building program for human rights activists. The incumbent will also be responsible for researching new sources of funding and working with Columbia University faculty on research grants. The workload will constitute approximately 10-15 hours a week.

An appeal court in Nouakchott confirmed the one-year imprisonment sentence imposed on Abdel Fettah Ould Abeidna, managing editor of the Al-Aqsa newspaper, for defaming businessman Mohamed Ould Bouammatou, on February 11, 2008. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)’s correspondent reported that the court also set aside the initial 300 million ouguiyas (approximately US $1,204,577) damages awarded against the journalist, pending the determination of befitting damages to Bouammatou.

The idea of 'constructive engagement' is forwarded by governments as a method whereby pressure can be brought to bear on these countries to improve their record on human rights, while diplomatic and economic contacts can be maintained. But does this approach achieve positive outcomes? To-answer this question, this book written by Joanne Davies, and published by James Currey Publishers, offers a critical evaluation of one of the best known examples of constructive engagement - the Reagan administration's policy towards South Africa.

Will Cyril Ramaphosa run for President at the end of 2008? He is one of the most popular political figures in South Africa, admired both within the ANC and outside. He came to prominence as the general secretary of the mineworkers' union in the 1980s and then as secretary general of the ANC after its unbanning. This commanding biography by Anthony Butler and published by James Currey Publishers tells the story of his life so far.

"Darfur and the Crisis of Governance in Sudan" is an international conference that will bring together leading scholars, civil society members, and activists who are involved in proactively addressing the situation in Darfur and Sudan more generally. In conjunction with the forthcoming edited volume, Darfur and the Crisis of Governance in Sudan: A Critical Reader, this conference consists of a broad range of presentations that explore and analyze the historical, geo-political, military, social, environmental, and economic roots of the conflict, and reflect on the contemporary realities that shape the experiences of those living in the region.

Tony Hall lived his life from the heart. He had a heart that embraced a life-long commitment to human freedom, absorbed large doses of self-sacrifice and enveloped those whom he loved and respected. In some kind of serenely symbolic and beautifully poignant way it was his heart that chose to pronounce on a life well, and fully, lived. Tony Hall passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Mpumalanga home on 31st January.

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce the 2008 edition of its Annual Writing Workshop for Scholarly Publishing. Three sessions of the workshop have been scheduled, one to be held in English, another in French and the third one in Portuguese. The English language edition is planned to take place in Kampala, Uganda, on the campus of Makerere University from 13 – 17 October, 2008. It will bring together, 30 participants from across Africa who research in the English language.

Many of you will know Sokari Ekine's excellent blogsite 'Black Looks' as well as her regular Blogs Roundup for Pambazuka News. Black Looks has been selected for the inclusion in the first round of the Best International Feminist Blog.

You can vote for Black Looks at:

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The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce its programme of training for scholarly writing and research methodologies targeted at postgraduate students and younger members of the teaching staff of the Universities of Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Monrovia. The writing and methodology training workshop is scheduled to take place in Freetown, Sierra Leone, from 12 – 16 May, 2008 on the campus of the University of Sierra Leone.

Thamie Simelane, 12, is among hundreds of thousands of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Swaziland who might not be going to school, despite government assurances that the tuition fees of these children would be covered. Headmasters rely on school fees to run their institutions, but limited government funds have materialised sporadically, often forcing schools to start sending children home.

Reporters Without Borders notes that Sam Asowata, the chairman of the board of the Abuja-based independent weekly Fresh Facts, was released on 29 January, two days after being arrested over an article accusing the governor of the southeastern state of Akwa Ibom of corruption. The state of Akwa Ibom said it was withdrawing its libel suit “to reinforce relations with the media.” Essien Ewoh, Fresh Facts’ distributor in Akwa Ibom, is still held. He was arrested on 24 January.

Reporters Without Borders is deeply concerned to learn of journalist Sam O. Dean’s discovery that a thousand US dollars were offered for his murder. Dean, who publishes the Monrovia-based Independent Newspaper, appears to have narrowly escaped death on 30 January when an attempt was made to lure him into an ambush.

Unemployed Moroccan graduates are keeping up their protest in a bid to be given public-sector jobs. After gathering outside the Istiqlal party headquarters, they were allowed to speak to a government committee, but for now, the situation remains unresolved.

The Moroccan government plans a broad expansion of vocational education centres, job agencies and training partnerships with business professionals. The plan addresses the growing number of workers who do not fit the needs of the market and the problem of unemployment in the country.

The Gender and Media Southern Africa (GEMSA) Network is a Southern African NGO based in Johannesburg that has chapters in 13 southern African countries. The GEMSA secretariat seeks the services of an experienced, highly motivated and committed individual to fill the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The successful candidate will come from Southern Africa.

Edem Children Foundation (ECF) is a Child’s Rights NGO working in Southern Nigeria. Our work focuses on reducing violence against children and young people, reducing the incidence and impact of HIV/AIDS on orphans and vulnerable children, as well as mother-to-child empowerment opportunities. Application Period: January 14th to March 14th, 2008. Duration of Volunteerism: 3 to 6 months

The Senior Program Officer for Africa will be responsible for shaping and implementing the strategic direction of AJWS’ grantmaking in Africa and directly managing grants in Southern Africa. S/he will represent AJWS’ Africa program at international forums as well as AJWS Board and donor meetings. S/he will manage the work of the two Africa Program Officers and consultants in the field. S/he will also work as part of a closely knit Grants Department and with other AJWS programs including advocacy, volunteer programs, and communications. For immediate consideration, please forward your resume and cover letter to [email][email protected] and indicate your name and "Senior Program Officer, Africa" in the subject line. PLEASE NOTE that candidates need to be authorized to work in the US, as AJWS doesn’t have the capacity do undertake visa procedures right now.

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is pleased to announce the seventeenth competition under its Small Grants Programme for Thesis Writing. The grants are designed to contribute to the development of the social sciences in Africa, and the continuous renewal and strengthening of research capacities in African universities through the funding of primary research conducted by post-graduate students and professionals.