WHEN PEACE-KEEPERS GO BAD

It is not the first time but the UN Peace Keeping Force has been brought in to the limelight once again with reports that members of the force have been illegally trading weapons, minerals and precious metals with rebels and unscrupulous dealers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is in the wake of similar investigations two years ago which revealed improper dealings between the force and traders in Liberia. The UN’s mandate in an crisis zones is to keep peace. If UN soldiers are trading in weapons, then peace cannot be maintained. What is the way forward for the UN? For governments?

Support The Lwala Community Clinic

Greetings,

I am forwarding you this information about a unique community clinic
in rural Kenya born out of vision and hope.

The Lwala Community Clinic is in its third year of operation.
Currently the Clinic is looking at many different ways to support its
operation including through foundations and private donations,
focusing in the areas of health, education and microfinance.

On a personal note, being in Kenya, I can only share with you concerns
about food prices, and or shortages, which will face this country in
the coming months. As a dispute resolution professional, I am very
concerned that food insecurity may roll back any gains from the
current stability, and exacerbate outstanding issues of IDPS. Not to
mention, insecurity will make it harder to for grassroot efforts such
as this, to continue accessing support. Already many SMEs have found
it difficult to make ends meet.

I am hoping with your networks, expert knowledge and social justice
concernsyou might have ideas and ways to support the working of this
clinic. I have also drawn on any connection to Kenya as well as
college.

Some immediate ways to help

* Read more about the clinic at
http://www.lwalacommunityalliance.org/index.php.

* Help set up screenings of the film, Sons of Lwala, to share with
others an example of leadership, vision, and giving back.

* Learn more about the many projects of Lwala. See if there is a
match between your interests and expertise and the work of the clinic.

For any ideas for activities or screenings of the film, Sons of Lwala,
please write back.

Kwaheri,

GLOBAL FOOD PRICE CRISIS

Global food prices have been on a relentless rise since the third quarter of 2007. Particularly affected have been food staples such as rice, wheat and maize all of which are the primary nutrition source for over 5 billion people in the world today. Major exporters of these staples (including The Philippines and India) have banned exports in an attempt to control the supply and prices of the staples within their borders. Global leaders from the UN, World Bank and the EU have issued warnings of the continued upward spiral of staple food prices coming on the back of general price increases occasioned by the increase in the price of oil. How prepared are developing countries to counter this issue? What role should governments, private sector and development partners play to control the current crisis and to prevent this in the future?

KENYAN POLITICAL CRISIS SEEMINGLY OVER

On Sunday April 13 at 4:00pm, President Kibaki unveiled Kenya’s new cabinet after almost three months of political unrest, uncontrolled violence that led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Kenyans. Kenya finally has a cabinet in place which means that the coordination of all government activities can begin. In the last three months, Kenyans economic has suffered immensely. The IMF and other reputed institutions downgraded Kenya’s economic growth outlook from 5.8% to 2.5% for the year 2008. What development priorities should the current government have? What are critical areas in national development that need to be addressed in the near term and long term?

SALES OF NATIONAL ASSETS

Recent media reports have indicated that the allocations of Safaricom Ltd (a mobile phone company owned by the government and two other private entities) shares in the recently concluded initial public offering may shift in favor of foreign investors should Kenyans not raise enough money to purchase at least 25% of the shares offered. What ownership criteria should be used in developing countries when they dispose of national assets through financial markets? Should nationals get first priority whenever a public asset is sold? Should foreign ownership be restricted in certain circumstances?

ZIMBABWE ELECTION – LESSONS LEARNT FROM KENYA?

Citizens of Zimbabwe have been waiting for three days for the official results of their recently held presidential, parliamentary and civic elections to be announced. This is despite the fact that results are announced, printed and displayed at individual polling stations throughout the country. Parliamentary and Presidential tally’s have been trickling in at an excruciatingly slow pace. Despite clear differences, the tallying and announcement exercise mirrors what took place in Kenya at the end of last year. Are there lessons to be learnt from the Kenya aftermath? Should development partners and civil society step in as rapidly as they did in Kenya?