Search

Presents the global and national Red List status of cycads known from mainland Africa. Seventy-four taxa (including five as yet undescribed taxa) occur in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. South Africa has the highest richness of cycad taxa (41). Fifty-two of the continent's cycads are confirmed country endemics, and 59% are globally threatened. One undescribed Encephalartos taxon is categorised as extinct (Malawi) and three, Encephalartos woodii Sander, E. relictus P.J.H. Hurter and another undescribed Encephalartos taxon (South Africa), are known only from material in cultivation. The nature and extent of threats to cycads appear to be different in the southern African region compared to the rest of the continent, and illegal collection is thought to be the primary factor. Taxa listed as data deficient primarily occur in war-torn and botanically under-explored areas. The results of the Red Lists are interpreted in terms of life-history strategies and threats. Continental-level conservation efforts are suggested for preserving wild stocks.

We report prevalences and eggs/protozoa per g (EPG; PPG) of helminths and protozoa in gorillas, chimpanzees, agile mangabeys, indigenous Ba'Aka and Bantu, and western researchers at a remote field site in the Central African Republic. We examined fecal samples for eggs, larvae, proglottids, cysts, amoeba, trophozoites, and flagellates. For helminths, strongylates were most prevalent, infecting 82–94% of nonhuman primates (NH) and 30–93% of human (H) groups, followed by ascaroids (14–88% NH; 0–15% H), and threadworms (0–22% NH; 0–29% H). For protozoa, Entamoeba histolytica (2–100% NH; 33–52% H) and trichomonads (11–88% NH; 0–54% H) were most prevalent. Among gorilla samples (n = 156) there were significant age/sex differences in EPG/PPG for strongylates, threadworms, Entamoeba histolytica , and trichomonads, with infants exhibiting the highest mean EPG/PPG for all parasites except trichomonads. Between group analyses revealed that the Ba'Aka had significantly higher mean EPG of strongylates, ascaroids and threadworms than all other primate groups, except the mangabeys. For Entamoeba histolytica, E. coli, Balantidium coli, and Iodamoeba butschlii , the agile mangabeys had significantly higher mean PPG than other groups; for trichomonads, the chimpanzees, and mangabeys had the highest mean PPG. Relative to other African ape sites, the gorillas and chimpanzees at Mondika appear to have high prevalences of intestinal parasites. This may be the result of the high proportion of swamp and seasonally flooded areas, which provide optimal viability for parasite eggs and ova. At Mondika, the significantly higher parasite levels of Ba'Aka probably result from more traditional methods of hygiene and lack of available medical treatment. All workers at research sites should be monitored and treated to minimize cross-transmission between humans and local fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Inter-African Mission to Monitor the Implementation of the Bangui Agreements is a peacekeeping operation independent of the United Nations. Its constitution, which was made possible by France, followed the request of the President of the Central African Republic to African Heads of State after the signature of the Bangui Agreements on 25 January 1997. However the intensification of the crisis and the inadequacy of the legal framework of MISAB s intervention required the is sue to be placed by the Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter in order to address the events which threatened regional peace and security in Central Africa. It was made, at the request of the Central African authorities and the leaders of MISAB, consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the association between female circumcision and infertility and fertility, using information from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS). In Côte d'Ivoire and Tanzania, circumcised women had lower childlessness, lower infertility by age, and higher total fertility rates than women who were not circumcised; the reverse pattern prevailed in the Central African Republic. In all three countries, however, circumcised women grouped by age at circumcision did not have significantly different odds of infertility nor of having a child than did uncircumcised women, when the effects of covariates were controlled. Thus we find evidence suggesting that the practice of female circumcision does not have a statistically discernible effect on women's ability to reproduce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In early 1996, 481 women visiting the antenatal services of the 3 major governmental health centres in the capital city of the Central African Republic (CAR) were included in the study. All study participants underwent the health centre's routine gynaecological examination, including laboratory diagnosis of trichomoniasis, candidiasis, gonorrhoea, syphilis and bacterial vaginosis. Cervical secretions and blood samples from study participants were sent to the National STD Reference Centre for diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans, Treponema pallidum, and HIV. Overall, 34% of the study women were diagnosed with at least one sexually transmitted infection (STI) (3.1% N. gonorrhoeae, 6.2% C. trachomatis, 9.9% T. vaginalis, 6.7% T. pallidum, 12.2% HIV-1). In addition, 29.1% of women were diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis and 46.6% with candidiasis. Only a small proportion of these women had sought treatment during the weeks before, despite the recognition of genital symptoms. Self-reported and health worker-recognized symptoms, signs and laboratory results exhibited only low sensitivities, specificities, and positive predictive values in the diagnosis of STIs. These findings confirm the high vulnerability of young African women to STIs and emphasize the need for specific control interventions which should include affordable and user-friendly services. Moreover, these results call for more effective quality control in case of laboratory-based STI control strategies and question the validity of syndromic STI management strategies in women attending antenatal care services in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Bambari and Bria, 2 towns in the Central African Republic (CAR), we analysed a patient-led partner referral programme within enhanced sexually transmitted disease (STD) services. New (index) patients received syndromic management, counselling about notifying and treating contacts, and vouchers for distribution. From October 1993 to February 1996, 5232 and 4320 patient visits, of which 1814 (35%) and 4320 (30%) were contact referral visits, were logged in Bambari and Bria, respectively. Vouchers were distributed for at least 90% of contacts. Index and contact patients had similar age and sex distributions. In both towns, having a spouse (Bambari: odds ratio [OR] 1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-1.7; Bria: OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.5-2.3) was a factor associated with successful referral of a partner. Successful referral was accomplished by both male and female patients. Appropriate counselling techniques and vouchers facilitated partner referral. Further research on how to reach casual partners would enhance STD control efforts using patient-led partner referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on African broadcasting pioneers and traces the origins of radio drama at Central African broadcasting services. Media imperialism hypothesis; Establishment of Central African broadcasting services; Growth of nationalism and reactions to the establishment of FBS; Playscript `Kazember and the Portuguese'; Origins of African language radio drama.

Presents information on research undertaken in the west and north-west of the Central African Republic, identifying the conflicts and strategic groups known as ECRIS as the methodology. Information on the structure of the local political arenas; Categories the villages surveyed can be divided into; Details on the diversity of rural political institutions.

Documents the positional behavior used by lowland gorillas in the Central African Republic. Comparison of the effects of body sizes dimorphism on the use of arboreal substrates; Factors influencing substrates use and subsequent positional activities; Relationship of body size to arboreal behavior.

This is a study of women in the Central African Republic (CAR) whose first sexual encounter was the result of rape. The analyses presented here are based on a national HIV/AIDS survey conducted in 1989. Respondents were selected through multistage cluster sampling, where census districts and households within districts were randomly selected. A total of 1307 females responded to the question regarding the circumstances of their first intercourse. Nearly 22% of female respondents reported that their first experience with intercourse was rape. Bivariate analyses found that rape during first intercourse was significantly related to the following respondent characteristics at the time of the survey: age, marital status, having a child, education, occupation, urban versus rural living, ethnic group, age at first date, and consumption of alcohol. Rape was not significantly related to ability to read, religion, and years in current village or town. Rape during first intercourse was found in a stepwise logistic regression to be related to age, marital status, occupation, and ethnic group. These data indicate that the incidence of rape is higher than previously reported in Africa, there are specific risk factors, and there are serious negative consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the political condition in Central African Republic (CAR). The CAR government has signed a peace deal with the country's main rebel group, Central African People's Democratic Front (FDPC), and later with the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) to stop the lawlessness in the country. Meanwhile, CAR citizens are fleeing to seek refuge in yet another poor country, Chad. However, experts believe that the peace treaties will not make much difference.

For the first fifty years of military peacekeeping, peacekeepers came far from the sites where they were deployed, the better to be impartial. That has changed dramatically over the last several decades, and nowhere is this clearer than in Africa, where the largest and longest-running United Nations peacekeeping missions are now staffed primarily by Africans, often from neighboring countries. Simultaneously, peacekeepers have been tasked with more-aggressive operations than was previously the case. This essay explores what these shifts look like on a human level, in terms of the interactions, relationships, and possibilities that emerge out of neighbor-peacekeepers. Drawing on ethnographic research with Rwandan soldiers deployed as UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR), I argue that relationships between Rwandan peacekeepers and civilians are both familiar and awkward. Neighborliness can, however, be overturned when well-armed people — whether Central Africans or peacekeepers — act aggressively toward each other. This is the conflicted heart of the relationships that go into African peacekeeping in Africa: familiarity and friendliness can coexist with capacity to kill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy security is an international concern for all countries in the world, particularly, for the policymakers looking for the wellbeing of citizens. While proper methods to measure energy security without ignoring the different aspects and multidimensional interplay is necessary, the need for an objective evaluation with numerical indicators is of utmost importance. This research covers these gaps by providing a detailed numerical method to formulate an energy security index that is globally comprehensive, but also nationally applicable to all countries in the world. This implies to include all needed aspects and dimensions of energy security. Results of this research show the global performance of all countries in the world in energy security and the performance of these countries in each of the 15 dimensions that articulate energy security. Germany and the United States performed best in the world, when it comes to overall energy security levels, whereas the Central African Republic and Turkmenistan are on the lowest end of performance. Conclusions show that there is not a single way for development and enhancing energy security but rather different alternatives and options. Countries need to learn from each other to identify what works best for their context and implement these strategies in order to enhance energy security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there were anecdotal reports of a high number of persons with epilepsy, including children with nodding seizures in the Landja Mboko area located about 9 km from the capital city Bangui, Central African Republic. We suspected the area to be endemic for onchocerciasis, and that the alleged increase in the number of epilepsy cases was due to ongoing Onchocerca volvulus transmission. However, ivermectin mass drug distribution (MDA) had never been implemented in the area. Therefore we performed an Ov16 antibody prevalence study among children, aged 6–9 years, using the biplex rapid diagnostic test (SD Bioline Oncho/LF biplex IgG4 RDT). The overall Ov16 seroprevalence was 8.9%, and that of lymphatic filariasis (LF) was 1.9%. Ov16 seropositivity was highest in Kodjo (20.0%), a village close to rapids on the river. Our study shows that there is ongoing O. volvulus transmission in the Landja Mboko area. We recommend that the extent of this onchocerciasis focus should be mapped, and the introduction of ivermectin MDA should be considered in these communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In high syphilis prevalence settings, the syphilis testing and treatment strategy for mothers and newborns must be tailored to balance the risk of over treatment against the risk of missing infants at high-risk for congenital syphilis. Adding a non-treponemal test (Rapid Plasma Reagin - RPR) to a routine rapid treponemal test (SD Bioline Syphilis 3.0) for women giving birth can help distinguish between neonates at high and low-risk for congenital syphilis to tailor their treatment. Treatment for neonates born to RPR-reactive mothers (high-risk) is 10 days of intravenous penicillin, while one dose of intramuscular penicillin is sufficient for those born to RPR non-reactive mothers (low-risk). This strategy was adopted in March 2017 in a Médecins Sans Frontières supported hospital in Bangui, Central African Republic. This study examined the operational consequences of this algorithm on the treatment of newborns.Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort study. Routine programmatic data were analysed. Descriptive statistical analysis was done. Total antibiotic days, hospitalization days and estimated costs were compared to scenarios without RPR testing and another where syphilis treatment was the sole reason for hospitalization.Results: Of 202 babies born to SD Bioline positive mothers 89 (44%) and 111(55%) were RPR-reactive and non-reactive respectively (2 were unrecorded) of whom 80% and 88% of the neonates received appropriate antibiotic treatment respectively. Neonates born to RPR non-reactive mothers were 80% less likely to have sepsis [Relative risk (RR) = 0.20; 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 0.04-0.92] and 9% more likely to be discharged [RR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.00-1.18] compared to those of RPR-reactive mothers. There was a 52%, and 49% reduction in antibiotic and hospitalization days respectively compared to a scenario with SD-Bioline testing only. Total hospitalization costs were also 52% lower compared to a scenario without RPR testing.Conclusions: This testing strategy can help identify infants at high and low risk for congenital syphilis and treat them accordingly at substantial cost savings. It is especially appropriate for settings with high syphilis endemicity, limited resources and overcrowded maternities. The babies additionally benefit from lower risks of exposure to unnecessary antibiotics and nosocomial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the World Bank loans in Central African Republic in Africa. The author mentions that International Developmeny Association will provide a grants-in-aid amounting to $7.9 million. He explains that the main purpose of the grant is to provide support to the implementation of the country's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. The author also mentions that the grant focuses on strengthening public finance management. He explains that the grant also aims to improve public sector and economic governance.

Background: Passively acquired maternal antibodies are necessary to protect infants against circulating measles virus until they reach the eligible age of vaccination. Likewise, high levels of population immunity must be achieved and maintained to reduce measles virus transmission. This study was undertaken to (1) assess the presence of maternally acquired measles-specific IgG antibodies among infants less than 9 months of age in Bangui, Central African Republic and (2) determine the immune status of vaccination-age children and the concordance with reported vaccination status. A secondary objective was to describe the presence of rubella-specific IgG antibody in the study population.Methods: Vaccination history and blood samples were collected from 395 children using blotting paper. Samples were analyzed for the presence of measles-specific IgG antibodies using commercial ELISA kits.Results: Measles-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 51.3% of vaccinated children and 27.6% of non-vaccinated children. Maternally derived measles IgG antibodies were present in only 14.8% of infants aged 0-3 months and were absent in all infants aged 4-8 months. The presence of IgG-specific measles antibodies varied among children of vaccination age, from 57.3% for children aged 9 months to 5 years, to 50.6% for children aged 6-9 years and 45.6% for chidren aged 10 years and above. The overall prevalence of rubella-specific IgG was 55.4%, with a high prevalence (87.4%) among children over 10 years of age.Conclusion: The findings suggest that despite efforts to accelerate measles control by giving a second dose of measles vaccine, a large number of children remain susceptible to measles virus. Further research is required to determine the geographic extent of immunity gaps and the factors that influence immunity to measles virus in the Central African Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the economic assistance provided by government agency for African country. Announcement of Dutch government to support the newly elected government in Burundi; Plan of the French Development Agency to boost private and public sector investment in Cameroon; Aid of four million from France as support for the ongoing recovery process in public finances and good governance in Central African Republic.

Reports on problems related to voter registration in the Central African Republic in 2004. Disappearance of thousands of voter-registration cards; Low number of people registering; Failure of political leaders to mobilize their supporters to register; Holding of a referendum on a new constitution; Statements by Jean Wilibiro-Sacko, chairman of the electoral commission.

The article reports on a looming food crisis in parts of the Central African Republic because of the rebellion in December 2012. According to humanitarian agencies, clashes between government and rebel forces have resulted in the displacement of thousands of people and the disruption of cultivation and trade. An analyst from the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) said prices of food are increasing because of the rebellion.

The article discusses the attacks in the towns of Central African Republic after the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) rebel group signed a peace deal to stop rebellion by the armed group. The Fundamental CPJP faction claimed the attacks in two towns saying they want president Francois Bozize to depart. It also notes CPJP leader Abdoulaye Hissene rejecting any responsibility for the attacks and pointing the blame on the Chadian rebel group.

The article focuses on a report released by the United Nations which deals with continued recruitment of children by armed groups in Central African Republic.

The article reports on the abduction of French Nationals in the Central African Republic and Chad. It states that two aid workers for the French organization Triangle were kidnapped in Birao at the Central African Republic. It says that French agronomist Laurent Maurice of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was abducted by armed men at Chad in November 9, 2009. Furthermore, French Secretary of State for Cooperation Alain Joyandet says that France would not pay any ransom.

The article reports on the economic condition of Central African Republic. After several years of conflict, the country has returned to economic growth, with a rate of 3.7% in 2006, compared to an annual average of 0.6% from 1998 to 2005. Its economic recovery process is anticipated to continue in 2007 and 2008 with the implementation of macroeconomic and structural reforms.

The article reports that thousands of people have fled fighting in northwestern Central African Republic (CAR) after the government raided their homes to hunt down rebels. The raids were launched by government soldiers on villages on the northwest border with Cameroon and Chad on April 17-19, 2007 to root out gunmen who had attacked a town the previous weekend.

The article reports that the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a three-year arrangement under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) for the Central African Republic in an amount equivalent to U.S.$54.5 million to support the government's economic program into 2009.

The article reports on the improvement of the distribution system of the United Nations project providing clean water for thousands of flood-affected residents of Bangui, Central African Republic. The scheduled change of distribution system of the project is revealed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA said that the water will be freely available at the existing water kiosks owned and privately run by the national water company Societe de Distribution des Eaux en Centrafrique.

Focuses on the views of Finance Minister Theodore Dabanga that the economy would go through a financial crises due to the fall of treasury revenue in the Central African Republic. Claim of Dabanga that country relies on taxation and custom duties to keep its economy afloat; Importance of the country to correct discrepancies arising from the wage bill and low revenues in order to avail economic assistance from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and the African Development Bank; Insights on the support given by the European Union on the regime of President Francois Bozize.

Reports on the results of the parliamentary elections in the Central African Republic in 2005. Election of the spouse of former president Andre Kolingba, Mireille Kolingba and the former National Assembly Speaker Luc Apollinaire Dondon Konamabaye; Political candidates; Indications of politics.

Reports on the Central African Republic's (CAR) urgent need for emergency financial assistance from donor countries. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' launch of a CAR interagency appeal in 2005, asking for 23.3 million dollars in emergency aid; Difficulty of assessing the problems facing the country's inhabitants due to decades of political and economic crises; Deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country in 2002; Extent of the AIDS problem in the country.

Reports on comments on the presidential and parliamentary election in the Central African Republic. Question on whether true democracy can be established in the country; Voters' optimism about the prospect of having a legitimate government.

Reports that refugees from the Congo Republic are being voluntarily repatriated from the Central African Republic, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Escape of refugees during fighting in 1998 between rebels and troops loyal to the late Congo President Laurent Kabila.

Reports on a riot after security forces opened fire to lift barricades in Bangui, Central African Republic. Use of the road barriers as protest to the murder of a Chadian national by the police; Impact of the mutiny staged by Chadian ex-rebels on the relations between the Chadian community and security forces; Security strategies of the army.

Reports on the results of the International Monetary Fund's review of the economies of Burundi, Central African Republic and Madagascar. Administration and economic program implementation; Gross domestic product; Debt-service payments; Public finances; Level of international assistance.

Reports on the United States administration's issuance on December 30, 2003, of a list of African countries that have met requirements to give them access to trade preferences. Exclusion of the Central African Republic and Eritrea from the list because they were unable to meet eligibility requirements for the African Growth and Opportunity Act; Criteria on which eligibility for trade preferences is based; Inclusion of Angola in the list of eligible countries.

The article reports that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved SDR3.467 million, on January 14, in interim assistance under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. It notes that the interim assistance will help the Central African Republic to meet its debt service payments on its existing debt to the Fund in 2008. It mentions that the Executive Board agreed that the Central African Republic qualified for debt relief under the HIPC Initiative on September 28, 2007, and had reached the decision point.

The article highlights the support expressed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to a law in the Central African Republic (CAR) that guarantees refugees protection and other basic rights. Bruno Geddo, UNHCR representative in Bangui, stressed the significance of CAR's adoption of a national refugee law. CAR has an estimated 220,000 displaced civilians from the country's north and thousands of refugees, including 2,000 Congolese and 2,700 Sudanese, from the Darfur region.

Reports on Central African Republic-based Committee to Protect Journalists' condemnation of the imprisonment of Maka Gbossokotto, publication director of the private French-language daily "Le Citoyen". Defamation and slander cases filed against Gbossokotto; Refusal of local newspapers to publish articles to protest Gbossokotto's imprisonment.

Reports on developments concerning cooperation and trade in Africa, as of January 2004. European Union's decision to end consultations opened in June 2003 with the Central African Republic and partially restore cooperation with the country; Italy's cancellation of Cote d'Ivoire's commercial debt; Nigerian government's declaration of a ban on the importation of about 41 products; Move by the Rwandan government to give importers of leaded petrol two months to clear their storage facilities.

Based on field research in the Central African Republic, this article discusses several social and economic challenges to conservation programmes that include community development components. These interrelated challenges include immigration as people elsewhere are attracted to economic opportunities, the lack of tenure of land and natural resources, diversification of economic and subsistence strategies, ethnic diversity and the lack of a conservation ethic. Addressing these challenges requires fundamental socio-economic change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]