|
6 Jun 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
|
|
More on Saharan geopolitics
Two interesting articles today:
First, EU is now wading in to the Saharan security situation with intent. People, drug and arms trafficking is seen as a key threat.
""A European Union initiative in the Sahel region is becoming an urgent necessity, in order to arrest a development which threatens to spread rapidly," said his report, seen by AFP.
He said that a team of EU experts led would head to Niger, Mali and Mauritania over the next week to assess what their needs are in combating extremist groups and organised crime."
More here:
African extremists 'threaten EU': World: News: News24
Also, Niger is expected to be an oil producer by 2009
BBC NEWS | Business | Niger set to become oil producer
|
12 Jun 2008
|
|
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
|
|
related news
/TIMBUKTU, 12 June 2008 (IRIN) - Mali has
become an established transit route for weapons
heading from West Africa’s increasingly peaceful
coastal states to active conflicts in West and
Central Africa, an ECOWAS expert has warned.
“There are two factors on the supply side –
stabilisation in Cote d’Ivoire and in Guinea
Conakry,” said Jonathan Sandy, small arms
programme manager with the Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS) in Bamako, who says
regional monitoring has shown a steady uptick in
the number of guns entering Mali over the last five years.
“On the demand side, some of the weapons stay in
Mali and are used for criminality. Others go to
active conflicts in the north of Mali, in Niger,
Chad and even as far away as Sudan,” he said.
Violence between the Malian army and Touareg
rebels in northern Mali has escalated in recent
months, with 20 rebels reportedly killed this
week in the heaviest fighting since a rebel assault in May killed 25 people.
The Malian national arms commission says the
weapons it has seized range from sophisticated
automatic weapons to ancient revolvers. The
seized weapons were manufactured in countries
including the United States, China, Egypt, Italy,
the Czech Republic and Russia, according to the arms commission.
In the Timbuktu region of northern Mali, arms
commission officials said they have collected
over 1,300 illegal weapons over the last five
years, but that at least 5,500 weapons are still
in circulation in that region alone. 450,000
people live in the Timbuktu region.
ECOWAS has also registered a 100 percent increase
in the number of arms being manufactured locally
over the last five years. “It’s a good source of
employment, but our concern is that it is not regulated,” Sandy said.
Ahmed Hamid Maiga, head of the arms commission in
Timbuktu, said deepening poverty, a declining
agricultural sector, and rampant population
growth explains increasing domestic demand for weapons.
“People have got to eat and drink,” he said.
“People think if they get a gun they will get
something to eat. There are many cases of fights
between pastoralists and cultivators. Other
people fight over access to water sources.”
ECOWAS’s Sandy said strengthening national arms
commissions in Mali and around the region and
improving information and awareness is the best
way to stop the spread of weapons.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|