I don't have enough time to post thoughts on all of these stories, but I wanted to keep everyone up-to-date on the current news from Africa:
Thanks to the BBC...
Antibiotic treatment can halve AIDS deaths in children: A study in Zambia shows that giving HIV+ children a cheap and readily available antibiotic can cut the death rate in half. Given how slowly anti-retrovirals are being rolled out in many places, this is great news. Pray for the lives of children with HIV around the world.
Sudan and southern rebels pledge a peace deal by year's end: The UN Security Council has taken the unusual step of meeting away from New York, and the Nairobi meeting has brought about a possible peace agreement to end southern Sudan's 21 year old civil war. Considering Sudan's continuing stonewalling in Darfur, this is hopeful but not yet certain. Pray for peace.
Ivory Coast asks for French return: Officials in Cote d'Ivoire plead with French ex-pats to return, as much of the economy is in the hands of foreigners who have fled the country after the outbreak of civil unrest. Considering how unstable the country is right now, this isn't likely to happen anytime soon, but many, many innocent people are being displaced and endangered because of the actions of a few. Again, pray for peace.
Living in a country without a government: Somalia has not had a functioning government in thirteen years. Even though a President was elected in October, he has not yet set up a government, and militias, extortion, kidnapping, disease, and internal displacement are still a part of daily life. You have to read this story to believe it. Pray for life, peace, and hope for the people of Somalia.
Sir Mark Thatcher faces new evidence against him: Former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's son is facing charges of financing a coup against the government of Equatorial Guinea. The alleged consipirators being held in E.G. face the death penalty, but Thatcher was arrested in South Africa, where the death penalty is outlawed. He is facing fifteen years for violations of South African law. Pray for a fair and transparent resolution to this case unfolding around Africa.
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