Africa

Libya's $67bn national investment fund is seeking damages from Goldman Sachs, saying the bank encouraged it to make complex, money-losing investments.

Anna Sapur of the Hako Women's Collective leads a human rights training program for youths in Hako Constituency, North Bougainville. Credit: Catherine Wilson/IPS

By Catherine Wilson
HAKO, Buka Island, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea , Jun 13 2016 (IPS)

Finding a sense of identity and purpose, as well as employment are some of the challenges facing youths in post-conflict Bougainville, an autonomous region in eastern Papua New Guinea in the southwest Pacific Islands.

They have been labelled the ‘lost generation’ due to their risk of being marginalised after missing out on education during the Bougainville civil war (1989-1998), known locally as the ‘Crisis’.

But in Hako constituency, where an estimated 30,000 people live in villages along the north coast of Buka Island, North Bougainville, a local women’s community services organisation refuses to see the younger generation as anything other than a source of optimism and hope.

“They are our future leaders and our future generation, so we really value the youths,” Dorcas Gano, president of the Hako Women’s Collective (HWC) told IPS.“There were no schools, no teachers and no services here and we had no food to eat. I saw people killed with my own eyes and we didn’t sleep at night, we were frightened." -- Gregory Tagu, who was in fifth grade when the war broke out.

Youth comprise about 60 percent of Bougainville’s estimated population of 300,000, which has doubled since the 1990s. The women’s collective firmly believes that peace and prosperity in years to come depends on empowering young men and women in these rainforest-covered islands to cope with the challenges of today with a sense of direction.

One challenge, according to Gregory Tagu, a youth from Kohea village, is the psychological transition to a world without war.

“Nowadays, youths struggle to improve their lives and find a job because they are traumatised. During the Crisis, young people grew up with arms and knives and even today they go to school, church and walk around the village with knives,” Tagu explained.

Tens of thousands of children were affected by the decade-long conflict, which erupted after demands for compensation for environmental damage and inequity by landowners living in the vicinity of the Panguna copper mine in the mountains of central Bougainville were unmet. The mine, majority-owned by Rio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational, opened in 1969 and was operated by its Australian subsidiary, Bougainville Copper Ltd, until it was shut down in 1989 by revolutionary forces.

The conflict raged on for another eight years after the Papua New Guinea Government blockaded Bougainville in 1990 and the national armed forces and rebel groups battled for control of the region.

Many children were denied an education when schools were burnt down and teachers fled. They suffered when health services were decimated, some became child soldiers and many witnessed severe human rights abuses.

Tagu was in fifth grade when the war broke out. “There were no schools, no teachers and no services here and we had no food to eat. I saw people killed with my own eyes and we didn’t sleep at night, we were frightened,” he recalled.

Trauma is believed to contribute to what women identify as a youth sub-culture today involving alcohol, substance abuse and petty crime, which is inhibiting some to participate in positive development.

They believe that one of the building blocks to integrating youths back into a peaceful society is making them aware of their human rights.

In a village meeting house about 20-30 young men and women, aged from early teens to late thirties, gather in a circle as local singer Tasha Kabano performs a song about violence against women. Then Anna Sapur, an experienced village court magistrate, takes the floor to speak about what constitutes human rights abuses and the entitlement of men, women and children to lives free of injustice and physical violations. Domestic violence, child abuse and neglect were key topics in the vigorous debate which followed.

But social integration for this age group also depends on economic participation. Despite 15 years of peace and better access to schools, completing education is still a challenge for many. An estimated 90 percent of students leave before the end of Grade 10 with reasons including exam failure and inability to meet costs.

“There are plenty of young people who cannot read and write, so we really need to train them in adult literacy,” Elizabeth Ngosi, an HWC member from Tuhus village declared, adding that currently they don’t have access to this training.

Similar to other small Pacific Island economies, only a few people secure formal sector jobs in Bougainville while the vast majority survive in the informal economy.

At the regional level, Justin Borgia, Secretary for the Department of Community Development, said that the Autonomous Bougainville Government is keen to see a long-term approach to integrating youths through formal education and informal life skills training. District Youth Councils with government assistance have identified development priorities including economic opportunities, improving local governance and rule of law.

In Hako, women are particularly concerned for the 70 percent of early school leavers who are unemployed and in 2007 the collective conducted their first skills training program. More than 400 youths were instructed in 30 different trade and technical skills, creative visual and music art, accountancy, leadership, health, sport, law and justice and public speaking.

Two-thirds of those who participated were successful in finding employment, Gano claims.

“Some of them have work and some have started their own small businesses….Some are carpenters now and have their own small contracts building houses back in the villages,” she said.

Tuition in public speaking was of particular value to Gregory Tagu.

“I have no CV or reference, but with my public speaking skills I was able to tell people about my experience and this helped me to get work,” Tagu said. Now he works as a truck driver for a commercial business and a technical officer for the Hako Media Unit, a village-based media resource set up after an Australian non-government organisation, Pacific Black Box, provided digital media training to local youths.

Equipping young people with skills and confidence is helping to shape a new future here and further afield. HWC’s president is particularly proud that some from the village have gone on to take up youth leadership positions in other parts of Bougainville, including the current President of the Bougainville Youth Federation.

Related Articles

• West Papuans Turn to Africa for Support in Freedom Bid
• A Peaceful Decade but Pacific Islanders Warn Against Complacency
• ‘Good, But Not Perfect’, Pacific Islands Women on Climate Deal

The New York Times last week published an article in the names of both South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his Vice-President and former enemy Riek Machar but it later turned out that Mr Machar was not involved, as the BBC's James Copnall reports.

June 12, 2016 (JUBA) – The past five weeks have witnessed jubilations at Jebel Kujur, an area about 6 km west of the center of the South Sudanese national capital, Juba, as hundreds or thousands of various community members and leaders have been visiting the First Vice President, Riek Machar, at his makeshift residence to congratulate him on his position to spearhead needed reforms in the country.

Anyuak community leaders giving necktie gift to FVP Riek Machar, and bead gift to his wife, Angelina Teny, at their Jebel Kujur residence, Sunday, 12 June, 2016 (ST photo)

Machar, according to the August 2015 peace agreement, is tasked to initiate reforms in various sectors and coordinate and supervise the implementation of the peace deal to end 21 months of the civil war.

The communities ranging from Mundari, Moro, Greater Bahr el Ghazal, Greater Bor and Nuer, Anyuak, among others have been storming the residence, dancing or meeting the country's second powerful politician.

The latest to visit the First Vice President on Saturday is the Anyuak community of Pochalla county in Jonglei state.

But opposition leader's media official blamed the state-owned media instruments, such as the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), for not broadcasting such important interactions between the country's second powerful leader and the communities.

“There have been positive interactions or peace rallies going on with various South Sudanese communities at Jebel, the residence of the First Vice President. But these have not been broadcasted on the national TV. It seems somebody in authority is not happy about the interactions,” James Gatdet Dak, told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

For instance, he said, on Sunday Machar had an interaction with the Anyuak community, which broadcasted, would further add to the confidence among the populations that spirit of peace and reconciliation was in progress.

Dak explained that used to personally take the video clips of the First Vice President to the South Sudan TV in Juba containing the public interactions with different communities who visited him at Jebel Kujur, but these were not played.

However, earlier, an official of the SSBC who declined to be named admitted that they didn't broadcast many of the video clips coming from the office of the First Vice President, arguing that this was because of the “poor quality of the pictures” taken by the cameraman in that office.

He told Eye Radio that it would be “unprofessional” to play such poor quality pictures on the national TV.

When asked about the TV official's argument on poor quality of video clips from Machar's office, James Gatdet Dak responded that it was “strange” that some of the pictures produced by the same camera, particularly on some official meetings were broadcasted on the TV while others on community interactions or in churches were rejected for the alleged poor quality.

He also said “generally” it would be unfair to think that the pictures broadcasted on South Sudan TV carry the same quality with the most TV stations in the region, saying generally poor quality of pictures or TV programs were “obvious” and should be understood due to lack of the right equipment and the needed personnel and their services.

“The management should understand the fact that generally the TV produces poor pictures and programs due to many factors. It shouldn't therefore be used as an excuse to target particular pictures,” he added.

The TV management is supervised by the ministry of information, which is currently headed by Minister Michael Makuei Lueth and deputized by Akol Paul Kordit. The two men are from President Salva Kiir's faction in the new cabinet of the transitional government of national unity (TGoNU).

(ST)

June 11, 2016 (BOR) – An official in South Sudan's Jonglei state has openly opposed the establishment of Bor town municipality as well as the appointment of its mayor, saying the entire process is illegal.

Diing Akol Diing, speaking at a meeting in South Sudan Hotel in Bor, June 11, 2016 (ST)

Diing Akol Diing, a state advisor for economic affairs insists the municipality should not exist since it does not meet the right criteria.

“There are two ways through which the municipality could be created, either the governor issues provisional order creating the municipality if the parliament is not working. This order is then reviewed by the assembly to see if it [municipality] meets the conditions for it to exist. Or the executive proposes it and request the parliament to pass it. If the parliament passes it, good but if the parliament rejects it, then it should not exist,” Akol told a meeting organized in Bor town last Saturday.

Bor town municipality was decreed by the former governor, Kuol Manyang Juuk nearly four years ago. Since then, its status has never been discussed in the assembly and never passed into a legal entity.

“This municipality should be passed by Jonglei state assembly so that it becomes a legal entity which can sue and be sued”, said Akol.

For a place to get municipality status, the advisor said, populations, economic viability and territorial size of land have to be considered.

“According to South Sudan Local Government Act 2009, the municipality should have a population ranging from 100,000 to 300,000 people. It must be able to generate at least 75% of its budget on its own and it must have a size of the land”, he added.

Bor town, according to the 2008 census results, had a population of 61, 224, which is reportedly far below the required population. This time, however, after the formation of the 28 states, many people had gone to various states that were curved out of Jonglei.

Economically, Bor municipality is unable to generate half of its budget.

“Municipality is not about moving in a car that has a flag. Municipality is about generating money to improve services to the people”, said Akol.

Last week, Jonglei state governor appointed Akim Ajieth Buny, as the mayor of Bor town, replacing Nhial Majak Nhial who was sacked some months ago. But Akol insists the mayor's appointment is illegal.

“Mayor should be elected by the people for a four-year two terms if his performances are good. Mayor should be someone who lives in that particular town or municipality, not someone who comes running from other place to contest, no”, he further explained.

Akim has a family in Australia, and currently holds Australian citizenship.

Akol said Bor municipality does not even have legislators who monitor performances of the mayor and the heads of departments.

But Philip Thon Nyok, who represents Bor town in the state assembly, dismissed the economic advisor's criticism of Bor municipality status.

“Someone said the existence of the municipality is not legally corrected. Where were you since it was formed? When this municipality was formed, you were in the government as minister of local government, but failed to mention these to the former governor,” said Thon.

He added, “You [Akol] became advisor to the current governor, but you have never told him all these. You are just making noise for nothing”.

But while many agreed with Akol on the basis that Bor municipality was not economically viable, others felt it was too late to reverse the decree.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's ruling National Congress Party (NCP) Sunday welcomed the "positive efforts" backing the government-signed Roadmap Agreement saying it provides the best way to stop war and achieve peace in the country.

AUHIP chief Thabo Mbeki meets opposition NUP leader Sadiq al-Mahdi on June 2, 2016 (Courtesy photo of NUP)

The statement comes amid unconfirmed reports about a meeting to discuss the opposition reservations over the peace plan in Addis Ababa next Wednesday between the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), and the four groups : National Umma Party, Justice and Equality Movement, Sudan Liberation Movement - Minnin Minnawi and Sudan People's Liberation Movement -North.

“We welcome all the positive efforts reiterating that the Roadmap Agreement is the ideal solution for stopping war and achieving peace," said a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

It further called on all parties that "are still sheltering behind a gun to consider the suffering of civilians and sign the Roadmap to begin phases of peace to stop war and end the suffering of civilians”.

The holdout opposition groups refused last March to sign the peace plan saying it excludes important opposition groups, acknowledges the internal dialogue process and ignores important confidence building measures such as ensuring political freedoms and release of political prisoners and detainees.

The NCP has described the ongoing political and societal dialogue in the country as the wider and comprehensive framework to create permanent and constructive solutions to the country's political crisis.

The statement further said that the African Union brokered Roadmap Agreement remains the best way to stop war and achieve peace.

The NCP has meanwhile commended "the efforts of the facilitators, the African Union, the AUHIP and the chief mediator Thabo Mbeki" for his efforts to achieve peace in the country.

NUP leader agreed recently with AUHIP chairman Thabo Mbeki on the need to meet the armed groups and to discuss the outstanding matters.

It was also reported that the U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth held a series of contacts with the rebel groups to encourage them to ink the peace plan.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudanese Ministry of Minerals has pledged to hand over huge and valuables geological information in its possession to the government of South Sudan.

Gold bullion blocks pictured at a gold refinery in Khartoum on 11 October 2012 (SUNA)

On Sunday, Sudanese and South Sudanese delegations have started joint discussions in Khartoum headed by Sudanese Minster of Minerals, Ahmed Sadig al- Karouri and his South Sudanese counterpart, Taban Deng Gai,

On Saturday, a South Sudanese delegation headed by the Minister Taban Deng arrived in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, in an official visit for several days to hold talks on bilateral cooperation on mineral sector.

The two parties reviewed the previously signed cooperation agreements and South Sudan's interest to obtain some geological information from the Public Authority for Geological Research , which is the technical arm of the Ministry of Minerals.

Minister al- Karouri told reporters after the meeting that Sudan will hand over all the needed geological information to South Sudan; train South Sudan geological and technical cadres and enhance joint cooperation in the field of minerals.

Minister Gai, on his part, told media that South Sudan is keen benefit from Sudan's experience in the exploitation and development of minerals.

"We came to Khartoum to learn from our brothers in Sudan how they managed so quickly to incorporate minerals revenues to the state treasury," Gai said.

He stressed that there is evidence of valuable mineral resources such as gold and diamonds in 44% of South Sudan area.

He added that the purpose of their visit to Khartoum is to get acquainted with South Sudan geological information stored in the north before the secession..

"We came as partners; and one family and not as competitors. Our goal is to develop this important sector to contribute to the economy of the two countries along with the development of all fields, Petroleum and minerals, and internal and external trade in order to contribute and help each other," he said.

The visiting South Sudan delegation paid a visit to Sudan Gold Refinery, which is one of the largest in Africa and the Public Authority for Geological Research.

Relations between the two nations soured after South Sudan's independence in July 2011, following a series of disputes over a number of issues.

However, last week, the Joint Political and Security Committee (JPSC) between the two countries signed a series of security agreements, including immediate re-deployment of joint military unity along the Safe Demilitarized Border Zone (SDBZ), and agreed to open the 10 crossings points.

(ST)

June 10, 2016 (RUMBEK) - Governors of South Sudan's Greater Bahr el Ghazal region at a meeting held in Lakes state, vowed to prioritise road construction and security issues.

Akec Tong Aleu (ST Photo)

The officials said Ayat, a road construction company will ensure areas are connected by road from Terekeka, Yirol, Rumbek, Cueibet, Tonj and Wau.

The governor of Tonj state, Akec Tong Aleu said the meeting called for the immediate shutdown of all illegal checkpoints along the road linking Bahr el Ghazal region till Abyei.

"The most top priority now for this meeting is the road accessibility because the rain is coming heavily and we want to see the road is good such that we divide it into five category so that everybody can work hard to maintain the road on his side", said Aleu.

Construction of roads will reportedly be supported by Ayat company and each governor will take charge of providing fuel and incentives to drivers and workers on the highway.

“So we agreed with Ayat such that they give us equipments, we get the fuel and incentive for the drivers” said Aleu, adding, “Security in the road and unncessary checkpoints in the area be removed immediately.”

The governors of Terekeka (Jubek state), Yirol (Eastern Lakes), Cueibet (Gok state), Rumbek (Western Lakes state), Wau (Wau state) and Tonj state attended the meeting.

Meanwhile Aleu confirmed that 81 pastoralists were for resisting disarmament in the area. The Disarmament Bill was passed by Tonj state parliament in March this year.

Some of those arrested were accused of committing murder and inter-state cattle raids.

“The state security have managed to arrest 81 people in Tonj East counties, 49 pastoralists youth in Tonj South, with 32 youth being questioned with different crimes such as cattle raid, resistance to disarmament and murder-related cases", said Aleu.

Those apprehended, he added, would be produced in court or face legal consequences.

(ST)

The young comedienne taking a humorous look at Arab women's' issues

June 11, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudan's armed opposition under leadership of the first vice president, Riek Machar said they have started a three week training of military officers from the ranks of second lieutenants to general as part of the signed peace agreement.

Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol, in Unity state 25 February, 2013 (ST)

In an interview with Sudan Tribune, Lt. Gen James Koang Chuol, the deputy chief of staff for administration and finance, said the training kicked off on Friday.

The officers, he said, are under going training on rule of law, leadership, code of conduct in militarily service training, stressing the need disseminate information on the peace deal.

Chuol, however, admitted they lack a budget and equipments to facilitate the training.

The senior opposition official said training was ongoing despite challenges, adding they are doing what they can to make sure knowledge was passed to all the participants.

Both low and high ranking officials were targetted with plans to also train Police officers. The training will be passed on to low ranking officers at various deployment sites.

The armed opposition signed an accord with the government to end over 20 months of a violent conflict that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced over two million.

(ST)

A monthly agricultural auction in England draws bidders from around the world. But why do two old Massey Ferguson tractors remain so popular?

June 12, 2016 (JUBA) - South Sudanese minister of general education and instruction, Deng Deng Yai, has described education as the best weapon for liberation from poverty and ignorance.

US embassy chargé ambassador Charles Twining and education minister John Gai attend the BRAC launch (Photo courtesy of USAID)

He said South Sudan would have instilled nationalism and embrace democracy if its populations were educated.

“The best tool and weapon for liberation from poverty, hunger, ignorance in South Sudan is education. As a country and as people, we need to invest more in the development of an educational system that promotes harmony, instil nationalism and promote values of democracy, peaceful coexistence, tolerance and cultural diversity,” Yai said.

“This can be found through education. An educated society prospers,” he further explained when asked to comment on the purpose for organizing annual school competition.

Deng said he would like to leave behind a legacy after retiring from public service as someone who established vibrant educational system by ensuring during his tenure that more teachers, specifically those involved in inspection are trained and empowered to carry out their inspectorate work with relevant knowledge.

He made the remarks in line with the ongoing preparations for inter-school competitions that will involve teams from all the states of the country.

All the schools earmarked to participate in the inter-school competition slated to take place in Juba, will converge in Yambio town, Western Equatoria. Preparations, Yai said, are being undertaken.

A supervisory committee headed by him has been formed and another technical committee comprising the undersecretary at the ministry of general education and the ministry of youth and sports has also been assembled to study and recommend what needs to be done before competitions take place.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's dialogue body known as 7+7 committee has said that the national dialogue's general assembly would be held on August 6th.

Sudanese Information Minister Ahmed al-Balal Osman speaks during a press conference in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on June 9, 2013. ( Photo AFP/ASHRAF SHAZLY)

The announcement came after a meeting between the 7+7 committee and President Omer al-Bashir on Sunday.

Member of the 7+7 committee,Information Minister and Government Spokesperson Ahmed Bilal Osman told reporters following the meeting that the national dialogue “came to an end and we are waiting for the general assembly to approve the recommendations which would pave the way for the great shift in Sudan”.

He added that the period which precedes the general assembly's meeting would witness intensive contacts with those interested in joining the dialogue besides the opposition holdout groups inside Sudan and abroad.

Launched on 10 October 2015 for three months, the dialogue process was initially expected to wind up on 10th January.

The opposition groups refuse to join the process and call on the government to implement a number of confidence building measures aimed to create a suitable atmosphere for dialogue. But the government refuses their claims.

Osman pointed that the 7+7 committee would conduct large contacts with the Sudanese people and the opposition holdout parties to get them acquainted with the recommendations of the dialogue conference.

He added that the meeting discussed the 7+7 committee's final report on the first and second phases of the dialogue which included 900 recommendations on the six issues of the dialogue, saying the conferees have agreed on 97% of these recommendations.

It is noteworthy that the national dialogue conference has discussed six main issues including the national identity, freedoms and rights, national economy, foreign relations, governance and implementation of the outcome of the dialogue.

For his part, member of the 7+7 committee Bishara Gumaa Aror said the national dialogue has accommodated all views of the opposition holdout groups, disclosing ongoing contacts to convince the latter to join the dialogue.

He stressed that no preparatory meeting would take place outside Sudan, saying the 7+7 could hold consultative meetings with the opposition holdout abroad.

In September 2014, the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) endorsed a roadmap aiming to facilitate the national dialogue. It provides to hold a national dialogue preparatory meeting in Addis to agree on issues related to the process.

Sudanese Information Minister Ahmed al-Balal Osman speaks during a press conference in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on June 9, 2013. ( Photo AFP/ASHRAF SHAZLY)

However, the Sudanese government refuses to take part in the pre-dialogue meeting, expressing readiness to meet the rebels to discuss the conditions and guarantees related to their participation in the internal process.

Bashir launched the national dialogue initiative two and a half years ago in which he urged opposition parties and rebels alike to join the dialogue table to discuss all the pressing issues.

But the initiative faced serious setbacks in wake of the government's refusal to create suitable atmosphere in the country leading several major participants to pull out.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (JUBA) – Rival South Sudanese forces clashed on Saturday in Central Equatoria state, situated south of the national capital, Juba.

South Sudanese SPLA soldiers in Pageri in Eastern Equatoria state on August 20, 2015 (Photo AFP/Samir Bol)

The deadly clashes, between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to First Vice President, Riek Machar, left at least 21 soldiers dead and dozen others wounded on both sides, according to military sources.

“SPLA and SPLA-IO forces clashed on Saturday. The fighting occurred in Kansuk payam of Keji Keji county. Our forces were attacked in the area by the SPLA forces,” a senior military officer of the SPLA-IO told Sudan Tribune on Sunday.

He blamed the forces loyal to President Kiir for allegedly attacking their military base around Keji Keji in Kansuk area.

The source, who is also a member of the military committee responsible for the security arrangements per the August 2015 peace agreement, also claimed that the SPLA-IO forces defeated the SPLA forces in self-defence.

“We managed to chase them [SPLA forces] back into Keji Keji town,” he said.

He further claimed that at least 20 soldiers from the rival SPLA forces were killed, one tank and a number of military vehicles were either destroyed or captured.

SPLA-IO forces in Equatoria region have not been cantoned and processes to do so have not been implemented.

The latest fighting is the first deadliest clashes in the region after formation of the transitional government of national unity which brought together rival leaders who fought for two years.

Sources in the capital, Juba, said the situation on Sunday was calm, but tense after the Saturday clashes in Keji Keji.

(ST)

June 12, 2016 (NYALA) - Unidentified gunmen Saturday have stormed Silik pharmacy in downtown Nyala, capital of South Darfur state and stole cash money before fleeing.

A Sudanese military tank is stationed near a security facility in South Darfur capital Nyala on 4 July 2013 (Photo: Getty Images)

A pharmacist working for Silik pharmacy by the name of Madiha told Sudan Tribune that masked men broke into the pharmacy at 9:30 pm (local time) and threatened the pharmacist at gunpoint after they handcuffed him.

She pointed that the gunmen stole sums of money from the cabinet besides the mobile phone of the pharmacist.

Meanwhile, residents of Hai al-Jebel neighbourhood in the eastern part of Nyala have heard sounds of intense gunshots on Saturday night and there were reports of clashes between the police and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

However, no official statement has been issued on the incident which caused fear and panic among the residents.

A number of residents have expressed concern over the return of the lawlessness situation which prevailed in Nyala before imposing the emergency situation, pointing that the looting of a pharmacy in downtown is a serious indicator that the state could return to the previous situation.

Since July 2014, the governor of South Darfur Adam Mahmoud Jar al-Nabi, declared an indefinite emergency situation in the state, including a curfew from 7pm to 7am (local time) in Nyala.

The decision also banned riding of motorcycles by more than one person, holding weapons while wearing civilian clothes, vehicles driving around without license plates, and wearing a kadamool (a turban which covers the face).

(ST)

Addressing antibiotic resistance will require a global political response similar to the way the world has reacted to climate change or HIV / AIDS, Sweden’s Minister of Public Health Gabriel Wikstrom, told IPS recently. “(These problems) began with a small group of experts discussing and trying to warn the rest of us and it was not […]

Former Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu dies at the age of 58 just days after the death of former Super Eagles coach and captain, Stephen Keshi.

Libyan forces say they have recaptured the port in the city of Sirte, after fierce fighting with militants from so-called Islamic State.

On Sunday, June 5, three reporters were killed: Somali broadcast journalist Sagal Salad Osman, Aghan journalist Zabihullah Tamanna, and American photojournalist David Gilkey. Gilkey and Tamanna, who was Gilkey’s interpreter and fixer were killed together in Afghanistan. Fixer is a term for a local journalist who helps international journalists find sources and stories when they are visiting a […]

Loyce Maturu, a Zimbabwean living with AIDS since the age of 12 and an advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS, addresses the General Assembly High-level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

By Aruna Dutt
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 10 2016 (IPS)

Young people are disproportionately affected by HIV, yet their concerns about sexual education, and discrimination of key populations were ignored at the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on ending AIDS.

Although the overall number of AIDS-related deaths is down 35 percent since 2005, estimates suggest that AIDS-related deaths among adolescents are actually rising.

In fact, AIDS is a leading cause of deaths among adolescents in Africa, and it is the second greatest cause of death among adolescents globally.

Young people’s vulnerability to HIV is exacerbated by a lack of access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services and by exclusion from decision making processes.

At the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on ending AIDS this week, Member States adopted a new political declatarion focusing on the Fast-Track approach to fighting HIV and ending AIDS by 2030. Fast-Track is driven by the 90–90–90 targets: that by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 90% of people who know their status are receiving treatment and 90% of people on HIV treatment have a suppressed viral load so their immune system remains strong and the likelihood of their infection being passed on is greatly reduced.

“Sexual education is the direct link between HIV AIDS and sexual health and reproductive rights. The sooner we realize this, the sooner we will achieve an HIV free generation."

But youth delegates say that issues of stigma, discrimination, and sexual education were not given the importance they should have in the declaration since youth were not included in the negotiations.

“The concept of 90-90-90 is amazing, but in practice without access to sexual education or participation of key populations and young people, the goals are unrealistic,” said Peter Mladenov, one youth representative from Youth Peer Educational Network.

At the High Level Meeting on Ending Aids, there were 20 young people representing different organisations.

“Unfortunately, all youth representatives were excluded from the negotiations on the high level meeting on Aids political declaration,” said Mladenov.

“Our wishes were not heard and the rights were not promoted since in the final document we did not see any sexuality education, or mentioning of key populations.”

Mladenov is an expert on youth policies and has been a youth advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Rights  and Comprehensive Sexual Education for the past 10 years. At the age of 14, he was invited to join a class on sexual education in school which he says changed his life and began his journey with sexual health and reproductive rights advocacy.

“Sexual education is the direct link between HIV / AIDS and sexual health and reproductive rights. The sooner we realize this, the sooner we will achieve an HIV free generation.”

“Sex ed is not only about the sex, it is about the informed choice of each young person, understanding the changes in your body, a young girl having the right to say no to marriage at age 15, an instrument to prevent child abuse or female genital mutilation.”

Mladenov says sexual education can help end stigma and discrimination.

“It is nice that we are progressing, same-sex marriage is approved in different countries and shows that the world is changing for the better. But there is still a long way to go, people with HIV still experience stigma and discrimination on a daily basis. When someone discriminates against a person it is usually because they are afraid of something, which is why sexual education is so important.”

Another youth leader attending the meeting was Annah Sango from the HIV Young Leaders Fund Board:

“Sexual rights really are human rights, because when it comes to talking about my body and my health and well being, it is not an issue of a statistic, but what I live each and every day,” said Sango.

“It is every young person’s need and right to be in your own country, and be able to know you have access to health and to know that the justice system is working for you, not against you.”

Sango grew up seeing how disadvantaged young people are, and how sometimes culture, society and tradition play a very crucial role in the lives of young people as much as the economic aspects. When asked what she would have wanted in the declaration, she said it was important to ensure that countries aren’t allowed to hide behind culture and religion, and rather have an open mind to the issues in their countries. She also said that member states should have given clear-cut strategies to address some of the pertinent issues facing young people.

Sango is also Advocacy Officer for the African Network of Young People living with HIV (AY+) which heavily advocates for Comprehensive Sexual Education and supports young people to dispel disinformation which drive stigma and discrimination.

“We cannot talk about AIDS whilst excluding young people and key populations. At country level, the agreement needs to reflect the face of HIV: young people that face violence, the millions of young people that have died because of their sexuality, the reality of teenage pregnancies, and of adolescents who are dying because they cannot be identified.”

Sango also said the negotiations for the declaration were very exclusive of youth voices, however she is optimistic that in the future youth will be included at the national level.

“I am confident that whatever goals, whatever agendas we are working towards, we will be able to achieve them if we include the right people to lead and champion the agenda,” said Sango.

Mladenov was also optimistic that about young people’s participation.

“Many people say that young people are the future, but that is not correct – we are the present, and we should be the ones who drive the sustainable development agenda to its accomplishment.” Mladenov told IPS.

“Although we don’t have what we want in the political declaration, we have the will, the power, and motivation to do it. The youth working on the local and national level should not be afraid to take up the floor, to go to their ministries, to demand that they involve youth as equal partners in implementing the declaration.”

“We should not forget that these people were elected by us, they are accountable to us, not vice-versa. If we have more governments really involving young people, we can achieve sustainable development.”

“Young people should be the agents of change, they should be the ones who push their governments to do something for them because they already agreed to with this declaration.”

“I dream for a day when I will not hear about a person coming from an LGBT community who is harassed, or a young woman or girl who is somehow violated, or a young person is excluded.”

IPS also spoke to Sharonann Lynch, HIV/Tuberculosis (TB) policy advisor at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Access Campaign.

“In many countries where MSF works, young people, especially adolescent girls and young women, are most at risk of contracting HIV,” said Lynch. “For example, in Lesotho, the prevalence of HIV will multiply by 5 in the next 7 years among adolescent girls from the age of 15 to 22. So the question for the region is what can we put in place as soon as possible to provide life-saving treatment as well as prevention.” Lynch told IPS.

“Youth are critical to combat stigma by creating more visibility. Young people can combat stigma by being out about their HIV status, demanding not only a voice but also acceptance in their communities. But governments need to make sure they take steps to reduce stigma and discrimination as well.”