Going East

Copyright V.Angelo

My day in Sahel started very early. Trekking East, making sure that our presence brings stability and security to the area. It's a job for early birds, and a tough one, for that matter.

Protecting refugee children

Copyright V.Angelo


Darfuri children in Eastern Chad need protection against violence, forced recruitments into armed groups and very harsh living conditions. They also need the Sudanese education ministry to accept and recognise the academic degrees obtained by the school children in the refugee camps. As such, once they are back in Sudan, after a peace process, their qualifications for a better life are fully accepted.

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.

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.