Roots and Steadiness

An inspiration, strong roots in a beautiful background. Nature asking for protection, for the next generations to enjoy it as well.

My garden in Harare, flowers of hope

We should trust Morgan and the new departure in Zimbabwe. He is a fighter and a brave, very sincere politician.

After eigth years of preciptious fall, deep governance crisis, wrong policies and anti-democratic practices, there is a ray of hope and a little bit of colour.

Like the flowers in the garden.

My other blogs

Kindly see the following blogs as well


http://victorfreebird.blogspot.com


http://victorangelo.blogs.sapo.pt


Thank you

The Children' s Goals

The implementation of the Millenium Development Goals will make a difference to the future of these children. They still believe in the world outside there.

Darfur women

There is hope. What is most important is to safeguard their rights.

Discussing with Adada and Bassole' in Asmara, in the framework of the Sudan and Chad consultations

Building confidence at the border between Chad and Sudan

In New York City

After a very long trek, I am today in the city that never sleeps but where the economy is a little under stress, not sleepy, it is true, but not so vibrant.

Many people on the streets, more than ever, one gets the impression, but that is certainly just a feeling, but less shoppers in the big stores. It is quieter there than in the streets. That's more than an impression, I am afraid...

Also, today is the second day after the demise of Lehman Brothers, and the status of the economy is present in many minds. So much so, that the President decided to cancel a statement on the crisis he was scheduled to make...It is worrisome...

But New York remains a city for the young.

Zimbabwe, um grande passo em frente

Para quem conhece bem a crise profunda que o Zimbabwe atravessa, desde 2000, o acordo de hoje e' certamente um passo importante, que convira' acompanhar, 'a medida que os resultados o justifiquem. Gradualmente, primeiro, mas depois com grande empenho. Nessa altura a Europa nao podera' dizer "nao".

A very long Sunday

I spent most of the day preparing for my trip to New York, which will start on Tuesday.

I will be addressing the Security Council on matters related to Chad. To Eastern Chad actually, because my mandate has nothing to do with the domestic political process that is taking place in the country. I am supposed to focus just on the security situation in area along the border with Darfur.

Asmara sunshine

I am just back from a brief visit to Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea. A very well organised city, pretty, very clean, no traffic jams, wide avenues and sidewalks, trees and shades, proud of its history and culture. Very safe, an example. But with serious economic difficulties, little investment, few jobs for the young people, too closed to the outside world.

A very tough political situation, with many controls and no space for democratic interaction.

Very poor relations with the UN, because of the border issue with Ethiopia. The leaders believe the UN did not push strong enough for the implementation of the ruling that would require the Ethiopians to withdraw.

The last country in the Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. But with time, this should evolve. People are eager for a more relaxed approach to dialogue and politics.

Listening to the refugees

In and around Farchana, in the Ouaddai Region of Eastern Chad, there are four refugee camps, with a total of 87,000 people. They came from Darfur, in Sudan, the first batch in 2004 and they are still crossing in.

I spent time today listening to some of their representatives. They all would like to go back home and rebuild their lives. But they know that the Darfur situation is too complex and they might have to wait for a long while.

In the meantime, the resources to take care of them are getting thinner. Less money for food, for instance. The classrooms are too big, to save on teachers and materials, but how much can each one learn, if the class is about 150 children? Then, the women complained that they have not received any soap for the last two months. The malaria season is at its peak and there is not enough medicine.

But all in all, security remains the key issue. Outside the camps, for sure, but also inside. The national gendarmerie is doing its bit, but they lack resources, men, supervision and motivation. The local administration is well informed but there is no supporting structure, no administrative capacity to coordinate, respond or direct.

And nobody is ever brought to justice.

The deployment of the new generation of Police and Gendarmes, trained by MINURCAT, has to take place soon. Certainly before the end of the rainy season. The first group is now ready, but there is still some legal red tape to be addressed.

Farchana, Eastern Chad

Farchana is a town close to the border with Darfur. We have a number of refugee camps and displaced Chadians sitting in the area. They feel unsecure, as the humanitarian workers do too.

I will be visiting there tomorrow for the first time. It's muddy at this time of the year, but the region is also very muddy, above all during the dry season, when we think of the politics and armed conflicts that happen around the area.

My Portuguese blog

Please read my daily Portuguese language blogs at

http://victorangelo.blogs.sapo.pt/