Salem-News.com Africa articles Page 54

Africa: Faces in Words

New weekly update on the breaking stories in the African nations.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Unseen, unheard; no one should be the bearer of these two words. Unfortunately, Africa is often in the forefront of this association.

Our common humanity should change this; we should never look away because it is too distant.

The Spreading Pirate Threat from Somalia

War-ravaged Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991.

(MOGADISHU) - In the dead of the night of 12 March, in the Indian Ocean, a ship was engaged in a potentially deadly game of cat and mouse with a gang of Somali pirates.

As pirates chased them, the desperate captain tried to throw them off, increasing speed and destabilizing the smaller boats with waves from his hull.

Bill Gives Ugandan Government Legal Right to Torture, Imprison and Kill

Anti-Homosexuality Bill features provisions that may spur a witch hunt

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - How can we have expectations on the treatment of our children, and even animals, and not have the same respect for human life everywhere?

Kenya Navy and Police Arrest 11 Suspected Somali Pirates

So far, the 135+ Somalis in Kenyan detention accused of piracy, have all been captured by foreign navies patrolling the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.

(NAIROBI, Kenya) - Ecoterra International reports that eleven armed Somalis were nabbed by Kenyan security forces after allegedly stealing fuel from a Kenyan fishing vessel on Sunday near Kiunga north of Lamu. This is an area just south of the Somali-Kenyan border.

April Elections in Sudan: Democracy or Dictator`s Grammy

The shadow that is hanging over this country is large, complex and terrifying for many that call Sudan home.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Sudan is expected to participate in the country’s first elections; some say the first in 24 years, many Sudanese declare the first EVER.

Oregonians Call on U.S. Government to Withhold Support from `Sham` Sudanese Elections

Sudanese elections, currently scheduled for April 2010, will be anything but free and fair.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Residents of Oregon are joining activists nationwide to call for the withholding of US support for illegitimate Sudanese elections, currently scheduled for April 11, 2010.

Indian Cargo Vessel Seized by Somali Pirates

It is not yet clear if the small cargo ship will be held for ransom or if the gang will use her as pirate mother-ship.

(NAIROBI, Kenya) - Ecoterra International reports that a motorized sailing vessel, ABDUL RAZAK with 9 crew of Indian nationals, was captured by Somali sea-shifta or pirates.

Tanker Sea-Jacked by Somali Pirates?

Pirate watchdog group says the navies remain mum, but reports are flying.

(NAIROBI, Kenya) - Officially yet to be confirmed reports from Somalia indicate that a vessel, which was only described as a chemical tanker, was sea-jacked during the night or early morning, sometime between 16 Feb. and 17 Feb.

U.S. Navy Ship Draws Fire From Somalian Pirates

A U.S. Navy ship reportedly passed captive ships near a Somali pirate den, and started a gunbattle that now cripples relations.

(NAIROBI, Kenya) - Local observers reported from the Indian Ocean pirate lair of Garacad at the North-Eastern Somali coast, that a naval vessel entered between the holding positions of a sea-jacked ship and a neighbouring vessel, also held hostage.

Pirates Release UK-Owned Wheat Bulk Ship off Somalia

The vessel is owner-managed by London-based Holbud Ship Management.

(NAIROBI, Kenya) - The ship MV AL KHALIQ has been freed today after a multimillion dollar ransom was delivered. "She sailed free after the last pirate left the vessel this morning," an ECOTERRA marine biologist reported from the central Somali coast.