LIBERIA
Amid overwhelming destruction and despair, a group of Liberian women united to form a Mass Action for Peace, with Christians and Muslims taking to the streets in daily protest and prayer to end violence.
The time was 2003 and peace talks in that West African country were stalled. Barricading the conference site, the Liberian women refused to let representatives of the warring factions out of the building until they had reached an agreement.
Despite their courage and perseverance, despite their role in ending the war and toppling dictator Charles Taylor -- the Liberian women's work went largely unnoticed by major news organizations.
"It's just this incredible disappearing story," said Abigail E. Disney, producer of "Pray the Devil Back to Hell." The just-released film gathers new interviews and archival footage from nearly three years of peace demonstrations to illuminate an untold chapter of recent history.
Leymah Gbowee, one of the movement’s leaders, has taken her work beyond Liberia to co-found Women Peace and Security Network Africa. She considers the film a "call to action" whose inspirational message translates to any culture. "I think women have the ability to mobilize around every and any issue, especially if that issue touches their heart."
GUINEA
As discussions continue over when to hold Guinea's repeatedly-postponed legislative elections, opinion is divided on whether or not the country is ready for the polls. Elections will not take place as planned in 2008, according to the National Independent Election Commission (CENI).
Originally scheduled for the end of 2007, then the end of 2008, transparent, democratic elections were one of the actions agreed by union leaders, opposition party leaders and parliamentarians following widespread civil unrest in early 2007.
Many analysts say sound elections are the only path to the formation of a government that can meet the needs of Guineans and lift the country out of a long period of socio-economic and political unrest. More 60 percent of Guineans do not have access to safe water, and about 40 percent of the country does not have regular electricity according to Guinean Electricity Board (EDG) figures.
Sekou Konaté, secretary-general of the ruling Party of Unity and Progress (PUP) told reporters at a Conakry press conference that legislative elections could now be put off to coincide with presidential elections scheduled for 2010.
Some contest plans to join the two polls, saying legislative elections must go ahead as soon as possible, while others say Guinea first needs national dialogue and a stronger opposition in order for a legitimate parliamentary poll to take place.
Guinean Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Soaré stated at a Conakry conference on security and elections in West Africa that elections cannot be held until more "national consensus" has been built. "We need solidarity, consensus, unity among all Guineans, and to develop a common goal of peace
if elections here are going to work." The conference was organized by the UN and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
But Mohamed Diané, member of opposition party Rally of the Guinean People (RPG), said the ruling party is deliberately delaying legislative polls. "Despite all the declarations, on the ground there is a real lack of will by the authorities responsible for organizing the electoral process."
SOUTH AFRICA/NIGERIA
South Africa and Nigeria are the worst greenhouse gas emitters in Africa, according to climate experts attending the U.N. conference on climate change recently in Accra, Ghana. But agreement among the experts ends there.
Western countries have been holding African nations to emission standards of the developed world and propose solutions that include the sell-off of African forests in a carbon trading scheme. "The inclusion of forests in carbon markets enables developed countries to avoid real carbon emissions reductions at home," said Friends of the Earth, a green lobby group. "Our emissions are infinitesimal compared to those in developed countries," noted Ewah Otu Eleri, head of the Nigeria-based International Centre for Energy, Environment and Development.
More than 1600 participants, including government delegates from 160 countries and representatives from business and industry, environmental organizations and research institutions attended the one-week meeting of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
SEYCHELLES
The Seychelles main opposition party, The Seychelles National Party (SNP), announced that their elected National Assembly member, Jean-Francois Ferrari, had resigned as member of the National Assembly for Mont Fleuri because he was denied the right to address the National Assembly on an important legislation - the Public Officers Ethics Bill. Mr. Ferrari referred to the National Assembly Standing Order 37(7), which states "a member shall be entitled to speak to any question in the Assembly for not more than 30 minutes."
Opposition leader Wavel Ramkalawan said, "The resignation of Mr. Ferrari will necessitate a by-election in which the people of Mont Fleuri will be asked to decide between the right of their National Assembly member to speak for them and Speaker Patrick Herminie’s control of the Assembly. This election will be a referendum on the right to free expression in the Assembly. We will be calling on the people of the district to decide for the people of Seychelles." Mr. Ramkalawan has also submitted a motion for the removal of Patrick Herminie as speaker on these grounds.
Mr. Patrick Herminie is the Seychelles People’s Progressive Front’s, the current ruling party, Central Committee member for Port Glaud, as well as being speaker of the country’s National Assembly. This role is seen as a contradiction to his position as speaker. The by-election called to fill the vacancy in the Seychelles National Assembly comes at the worst possible time for the ruling party because of the economic situation facing the Seychelles - the high cost of living made worst because of the devaluation of the country’s currency.
The by-election was going to be seen as a referendum on the government’s ability to manage the economy, control the cost of living and to curb corruption and a referendum on the suitability of Speaker Patrick Herminie.
The ruling party, in power since their 1977 military coup d’état, fearing the worst, abruptly withdrew from the Mont Fleuri by-election. Party leader Albert Rene personally announced the ruling party’s position on National Television and went as far as telling people not to vote on Election Day.
The by-elections, set for July 19, will now see two opposition parties contest for the seat - the incumbent Jean Francois Ferrari from the SNP and lawyer Frank Elizabeth from the Democratic Party.
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