Lake Of Cameroon
Cameroon (01/05)
The government adopted legislation in 1990 to authorize the formation of multiple political parties and ease restrictions on forming civil associations and private newspapers. Cameroon' s first multiparty legislative and presidential elections were held in 1992 followed by municipal elections in 1996 and another round of legislative and presidential elections in 1997. Because the government refused to consider opposition demands for an independent election commission, the three major opposition parties boycotted the October 1997 presidential election, which Biya easily won. All of these elections were marred by severe irregularities. In December 2000, the National Assembly passed legislation creating the National Elections Observatory (NEO), an election watchdog body. NEO played an active role in supervising the conduct of local and legislative elections in June 2002, which demonstrated some progress but were still hampered by irregularities. The NEO also supervised the conduct of the ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
If you receive permissin from your Chief of Mission to ship firearms and ammunition in excess of those prescribed, and will ship them between foreign countries only, no license is necessary from the Office of Munitions Control (PM/MC). No Department of State license will be issued if you ship only shotguns (with barrels 18 inches and over in length) and shotgun ammunition not in excess of normal limit. You must, however, comply with the Chief of Mission’s determination and with export regulations of the Office of Export Control, U.S. Department of Commerce. Currency, Banking, and Weights and MeasuresLast Updated: 10/27/2004 10:56 AM ... [Read More]
Chad (02/05)
Lake Chad is the second-largest lake in West Africa and is one of the most important wetlands on the continent. Home to 120 species of fish and at least that many species of birds, the lake has shrunk dramatically in the last four decades due to the increased water use and low rainfall. Bordered by Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon, Lake Chad currently covers only 1,350 square kilometers, down from 25,000 square kilometers in 1963. The Chari and Logone Rivers, both of which originate in the Central African Republic and flow northward, provide most of the water entering Lake Chad. ... [Read More]
Reports, International Education Week 2001
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary ... Public Forum on the Future of International Educational Exchange (George Washington University) ... Big Bend Community College (Moses Lake) ... [Read More]
Equatorial Guinea (06/05)
Equatorial Guinea has minor border disputes with Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea involving coastal areas that define offshore territorial and affect ownership of potential future oil concession in the Gulf of Guinea. The Corisco border dispute with Gabon was solved by an agreement signed with the help of UN mediation in January 2004. The majority Fang ethnic group of mainland Equatorial Guinea extends both north and south into the forests of Cameroon and Gabon. Cameroon exports some food products to Equatorial Guinea and imports oil from Equatorial Guinea for its refinery at nearby Limbe. The development of the oil industry by U.S.-based companies and the lack of a well-trained work force have provided motivation for an influx of English-speaking workers (legal and illegal) from Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana. (However, relations with the Nigerian government have lately been cordial as the two countries delineated their offshore borders to facilitate development of nearby gas fields.) Roun ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The Community Liaison Office (CLO) maintains a selection of mail order catalogs. MenLast Updated: 12/8/2003 1:18 PM Summerweight suits, short sleeved sport shirts and slacks, and similar wear are suitable for the office and most social events. Business suits are worn for official calls and for some social events. Formal occasions do not occur often. Once or twice a year a tuxedo is appropriate, although a dark suit is generally acceptable. All types of shoes and sandals are worn. Bring an adequate supply, since good shoes are not available, and gravelly, dusty walkways cause rapid deterioration. Bring a good supply of socks, underwear, and other needed clothing. As much as possible, bring all cotton or largely cotton blends for coolness and ease of laundering. If you are sensitive ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Text: New Projects to Improve Global Environment Approved
--A $4 million grant, to be supplemented by $23 million in co-financing from other sources, which will support China's efforts to reduce floods in the Yangtze River basin, home to one-third of the country' population. In 1998, catastrophic floods killed 1,562 people, affected another 2.29 million, and caused direct economic losses of about $20 billion. The 1998 floods were not isolated events, and it is apparent that the scale and frequency of Yangtze River floods have reached the level where sustainable development of the basin is threatened. GEF will provide support to the government of China in applying integrated ecosystem management techniques at two demonstration sites to control floods, conserve biodiversity, and sequester and reduce carbon emissions. ... [Read More]
Central African Republic (06/05)
The Central African Republic is classified as one of the world's least developed countries, with an annual per capita income of $260 (2002). Sparsely populated and landlocked, the nation is overwhelmingly agrarian, with the vast bulk of the population engaged in subsistence farming and 55% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP) arising from agriculture. Principal crops include cotton, food crops (cassava, yams, bananas, maize), coffee, and tobacco. In 2002, timber accounted for about 30% of export earnings. The country also has rich but largely unexploited natural resources in the form of diamonds, gold, uranium, and other minerals. There may be oil deposits along the country's northern border with Chad. Diamonds are the only of these mineral resources currently being developed; in 2002, diamond exports made up close to 50% of the C.A.R.'s export earnings. Industry contributes only about 20% of the country's GDP, with artesian diamond mining, breweries, and sawmills making up th ... [Read More]
Arms and Conflict in Africa
By the late 1990s, there were an estimated 30,000-40,000 AK-47s in the hands of Karimojong and neighboring pastoral communities. Ownership of such a weapon conferred political, social, and economic status. Oftentimes, an AK-47 was part of a bride price. Not surprisingly, cattle rustling and clan warfare became more lethal. Efforts by the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) to disarm the Karimojong led to occasional clashes. The proliferation of AK-47s not only has intensified conflict but also has undermined the authority of the elders. As a result, Karimojong society not only is less cohesive but also has become part of the arc of conflict that stretches from the Horn of Africa to east, central, and southern Africa. ... [Read More]
IV. Country Narratives: Africa
South Africa lacks an anti-trafficking statute and has no comprehensive law enforcement programs targeting trafficking. Some government agencies have developed their own anti-trafficking programs. Traffickers are prosecuted under a variety of statutes, including the Child Care Act, the Sexual Offences Act, the Prevention of Organized Crime Act, and the general criminal law. Approximately 10 investigations and four prosecutions involving trafficking are underway. Government officials are moving expeditiously to address the trafficking problem on several fronts. The South African Law Commission is preparing comprehensive draft legislation on trafficking for consideration in 2004. The National Directorate for Public Prosecutions formed an inter-agency task force that drafted a national action plan on trafficking in persons. Police officials formed an anti-trafficking team at the Johannesburg airport. Police resources to address trafficking are limited in South Africa, which has am ... [Read More]
|