Africa

• 7 July 2008
  AFRICA/TANZANIA - Promoting a renewed and intensified Biblical formation for all members of the Church: one of the objectives mentioned in the 7th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation, celebrated for the first time in Africa Dar es-Salaam (Agenzia Fides) – Over 230 specialists in Biblical pastoral activity from nearly 80 countries met from June 24 to July 3, for the 7th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Biblical Federation. For the first ti ...
• 4 July 2008
  AFRICA/NIGERIA - The President of Nigeria proposes that a Summit Meeting be held regarding the Niger Delta, site of the country’s oil reserves Lagos (Agenzia Fides) – A heated debate has begun in Nigeria over the proposal made by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, for a Summit on the Niger Delta region, with the participation of all those implied in the crisis ...
• 4 July 2008
  AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Diplomacy on the move for Zimbabwe: the United States prepares a UN resolution and fixes its gaze on Mugabe and 11 of his closest collaborators Harare (Agenzia Fides) – The pressures are intensifying from other Western nations regarding the President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe. The United States has presented a resolution proposal from the United Nations Secur ...
• 3 July 2008
  AFRICA/ANGOLA - Angola prepares plan to increase oil production, while Nigeria faces guerrilla warfare in the Niger Delta Luanda (Agenzia Fides) – While the price of unrefined oil rising to over 145 dollars a barrel, Angola has announced a plan to increase its own oil production over the next 5 years. “We will invest 100 billion dollars ...
• 3 July 2008
  AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Botswana prepares troops on the border with Zimbabwe Harare (Agenzia Fides) – As the crisis in Zimbabwe becomes more complicated, its neighbor Botswana has decided to place troops on the border so as to face any military attack that could erupt due to political disorder ...
• 1 July 2008
  AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - The local Catholic Church demands respect for human rights in Zimbabwe, as intimidation of Zimbabwe Christians continues Harare (Agenzia Fides)- "Some of Zimbabwe's Catholic religious communities have been pressured to stop religious service services. But Masses are held regularly in most parishes except those in certain remote areas out o ...
• 27 June 2008
  AFRICA/CAMEROON - Bishops' Pastoral Letter on the Year of St Paul: “ imitating St Paul, we must mobiles our energies for evangelisation” Yaounde (Agenzia Fides)- "In communion with the universal Church, the Christians of Cameroon welcome the initiative of His Holiness Benedict XVI to indict a Year of St Paul and we render thanks to God" the Bishops of Cam ...
• 26 June 2008
  AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - “No to speculation, for the sake of the poor who suffer its consequences”: message from the Bishops of Burkina-Niger on the cost of living, calling for “responsible attitudes in responding to the many lures of a consumerist society.” Ouagadougou (Agenzia Fides) – “Since early 2008, the people of Burkina Faso have been suffering hardships due to the generalized rise in the cost of basic food products. The high cost of living has caused protests, d ...
• 25 June 2008
  AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - "The behaviour of Mugabe and his supporters is an offence against God: harsh condemnation from Cardinal Napier Archbishop of Durban Harare (Agenzia Fides)-"The people of Zimbabwe have the right to choose their President in fair and free elections. The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) passionately supports this legitimate aspirati ...
• 24 June 2008
  AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Opposition leader Tsvangirai takes refuge in the Dutch embassy: at stake the principle of elections in Africa Harare (Agenzia Fides)- The Zimbabwean crisis heightens after Opposition leader Morgan took refuge at the Dutch Embassy in Harare on Sunday night 22 June to avoid being taken prisoner by the army. The leader of the Movem ...
• 24 June 2008
  AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Guinea Equatorial comes to the aid of Mugabe Harare (Agenzia Fides)- Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe are negotiating an oil agreement to help Zimbabwe face a serious fuel shortage. Equatorial Guinea sources say the agreement is purely commercial, nothing to do wit ...
• 23 June 2008
  AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Opposition leader’s announcement of withdrawal from the presidential race causes strong criticism of Mugabe regime Harare (Agenzia Fides) – “In present circumstances a free and fair vote is impossible.” With these words, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai, announced on June 22 that he woul ...
• 23 June 2008
  AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - “Now, dialogue for tolerance and mutual respect,” Bishops plea, following the peace accord between the government and two main rebel forces in the country Bangui (Agenzia Fides) – “We hope and pray that political dialogue respects the established conditions that the parties have agreed to.” This is the wish of the Bishops of the Central African Republic expressed in ...
• 20 June 2008
  AFRICA/GUINEA - Following clashes between military and police officers, it’s the teachers turn to take to the streets Conakry (Agenzia Fides) – At least 10 have died in the fighting that broke out between military and policemen in a revolt in the Republic of Guinea. The police are protesting for their withheld salary payments. A simil ...
• 18 June 2008
  AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - Ban against NGOs in the country lifted; following protests from various groups, including from the Catholic Church Harare (Agenzia Fides) – The government of Zimbabwe has lifted the ban that prohibited the entry of foreign Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), who would distribute food supply and offer assistance to AIDS victims i ...