Ethiopia backs Somalia peace deal

Ethiopia has given its total support to the ceasefire agreement reached on Sunday between the Somali transitional government and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS). It said it would respect a UN – brokered peace deal for Somalia requiring the gradual withdrawal of its troops.“The agreement reached in Djibouti by the two parties is in line with our policy of orderly withdrawal,” said foreign ministry spokesman Wahade Belay on Monday. He added that Ethiopia would implement the decisions reached by the two parties in Djibouti.

However, some sections of the opposition have rejected the agreement, saying that it will not be able to bring peace and understanding among all Somalis particularly because it is not specific about the total withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia.

IMF cautions Cameroon

Economic hardship is imminent in Cameroon following the increasing adverse financial environment, an IMF mission predicted. Benedicte Vibe Christensen, head of the team, advised that the increase in food and fuel prices needs to be passed through the economy over time to encourage adjustment.The mission met with the Prime Minister, Ephraim Inoni, the Minister of Finance and that of the Economy and Planning recently to examine the different possibilities of absorbing the shock imposed by the global financial crunch.

According to a 2008 regional economic outlook report by the International Monetary Fund, growth in the sub-Saharan sub-region including Cameroon is expected to slow down by 6% in 2008-2009 as a result of the present financial crises. The worsening economic situation reflects hard winds from strong increases in food and fuel prices, slower growth and global financial turmoil. Recent heightening turbulence raises the risks, including that of a decline in resource flow to Africa in the form of private capital, remittances and even aid.

Girl freed from slavery in Niger

The Niger government has been fined $19,750 by the West African Court for failing to protect Hadijatou Mani, 24 from slavery. Mani said she was sold 10 years ago for $500 to Souleymane Naroua a slave master. Despite arguing that it has done all it can to eradicate slavery, a judge ordered the compensation.She said during the last 10 years she had suffered series of physical torture and rape. “I was beaten so many times I would run to my family, then after a day or two I would be brought back. At the time I didn’t know what to do but since I learned that slavery has been abolished I told myself that I will no longer be a slave,” she said.