Zambia

The Earth Organisation Zambia has expressed concern at the increasing number of development projects that are being implemented without conducting an environmental impact Assessment (EIA) as required by law.

Director, Lovemore Muma, says that the organisation is concerned that big projects have been allowed to take off even without assessing their impact on the surrounding communities.

Muma, who cities the Chinese-run Ichimpi Mine in Kalulushi as one of the projects that has started without an EIA study, warns that situations like this pose risks to the communities.

To read the article titled, “Lack of EIA worries NGO,” click here.

The Zambian police, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), civil society and observer missions have all expressed concerns of possible violence that could be triggered by the refusal of losing parties or candidates to concede defeat, in that country’s elections.

ECZ spokesperson, Cris Akufuna, is calling for peace during and after the elections, adding that the commission hopes to announce the results within 48 hours.

Akufuna states that the ECZ has put in place a transparent system to ensure that there is no space or chance for anyone to manipulate the election results.

To read the article titled, “Perpetrators of violence warned - 'expect no mercy',” click here.

American NGO, National Democratic Institute (NDI) has released a report in which it calls on presidential candidates and political leaders to issue ‘explicit, forceful and repeated calls for peaceful elections.

The report, which comes ahead of the country’s 20 September general election, says that broad citizen participation, combined with responsible actions by all stakeholders, will contribute to electoral integrity and build public confidence.

The report praises the efforts of the Electoral Commission of Zambia to open up the electoral process and encourage participation. In the same vein, it adds that while electoral preparations are moving forward, more concerted efforts are needed for credible and peaceful elections.

To read the article titled, “Masire group calls for peaceful elections,” click here.

The Organisation of African Youth (OAYouth) is the youth platform for information exchange, forum for debate on African issues and a network of future political, corporate, academic, literary, religious and traditional leaders in all African contexts.

The African Youth Day was declared and adopted by the African Union (AU) in 2006 to be commemorated on 1 November each year. It has since evolved as the most powerful platform of young people of Africa.

OAYouth, in collaboration with Phelps Stokes and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is hosting the ‘African Youth Day Conference 2011 (AYDAC'11)’ on 1 November 2011 in Johannesburg.

The youth of Africa will convene at AYDAC’11 to celebrate the African Youth Day. The conference will pave way for youth to examine workable methods to improve youth unity as well as strengthen youth economic empowerment through leadership development, entrepreneurship support and agricultural transformation.

Conference Objectives:

• Echo the voice of ordinary young people of Africa;
• Share information and best practices in promoting opportunities for youth encouraging youth to start new entrepreneurship initiatives;
• Establish suitable structures for meeting the unique needs for youth business start-ups in developing economies in Africa;
• Build lasting relationships between youth and business institutions;
• Infuse a gender perspective and rights-based approach to policies and programs for youth;
• Cultivate in the youth the spirit of accountability, transparency and integrity (ATI).