bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le sorgho
Authors: Van Damme Patrick
Published: February 2018

L’ouvrage est bien présenté. Des dessins au trait illustrent pas mal de détails botaniques et autres repris dans le texte. Des photos en couleur illustrent des réalités du champ. Le tout est écrit dans un langage bien abordable, même pour des personnes peu formées en la matière. Un lexique à la fin du livre reprend les principaux termes techniques. La liste des références est assez courte. Une liste de liens internet renvoie à des adresses utiles d’organisations travaillant avec le sorgho. Donc, en tout point, ce travail nous paraît bien présenté et bien documenté et écrit par des spécialistes francophones. Il eut été bien si les auteurs avaient invité d’autres spécialistes d’autres pays et organisations à contribuer à cet ouvrage. Aussi, et vu le mandat du CTA (qui dessert aussi les pays anglo- et lusophones, il eut été bien de prévoir une version anglaise et portugaise, voire même une version électronique, et pourquoi pas une application mobile. Vu aussi la vitesse à laquelle se développe le monde, mais aussi la recherche scientifique – aussi sur le sorgho – il serait bien que le CTA se concerte, avec ces partenaires, comment rendre ce genre de publication plus interactive, et aussi de trouver des moyens à ce que le contenu puisse rester à jour. A notre avis, ce dernier point doit impérativement passer par un site web où seront intégrés et présentés les derniers développements scientifiques en la matière, tout en se basant sur le format initial du livre. Ceci nécessite naturellement le développement d’une toute nouvelle approche et attitude des éditeurs envers ce genre de publications. A suivre !
Characteristics of participants in an HIV prevention intervention for youth in Rwanda: results from a longitudinal study
Authors: Celis Hanne , Jingwa Brian A. , Degomme Olivier , Van Rossem Ronan , Temmerman Marleen , Michielsen Kristien
Published: February 2018

Introduction. This paper studies determinants of participation in a peer-led school-based HIV prevention intervention in Rwanda. Methods. A baseline survey among 1071 students (mean age 17 years) assessed potential determinants of participation, while a follow-up six months in the intervention measured actual participation in the intervention. Statistical models were built using multivariate linear and multinomial regression analysis predicting overall participation, par- ticipation in group discussions and individual counseling. Results. Those who recently had sex, had been tested for HIV, feel more susceptible to HIV, have a higher sexual self-concept, a more positive future perspective (only for non-sexually active), and boys, were more likely to participate in group activities. Also students from the same class as the peer educator and boarding school students were more likely to participate in group activities. Older students and those with low external health locus of control participated more in individual counseling. Discussion. Participation could be increased by investing in general well-being of young people, organizing girls-only activities, and diversifying activities. Key words: selection bias, HIV prevention, participation rate, young people, Rwanda
Editorial
Authors: Verdoolaege Annelies
Published: February 2018

In most of the articles presented in this issue of Afrika Focus we see hopeful mes- sages about the African continent. In “Arab Spring in Morocco: Social Media and the 20 February Movement”, Brouwer & Bartels explore the ways in which the offline and online worlds interconnected in order to create new forms of meaning-making during the Arab Spring. Also our second article “Modernisation néolibérale et transformation du pro l des dirigeants des entreprises publiques au Maroc. Cas de la Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG): 1959-2009” talks about Morocco, by investigating the extent to which the directors of public enterprises underwent transformations under the heading of neoliberal modernization processes. In his article “Depoliticised Ethnicity in Tanzania: A Structural and Historical Narrative” Malipula gives the history and the rationale behind the fact that Tanzania is not characterized by politicized ethnicity, which tends to lead to cleavages and tension in a lot of other African societies. Finally, Celis et al. “Characteristics of participants in an HIV prevention intervention for youth in Rwanda: results from a longitudinal study” picture a hopeful image of HIV prevention campaigns in Rwanda by describing the ways in which participation in these interventions could be increased, mainly amongst young people.
Multiplication végétative de Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H.J. Lam. par marcottage aérien
Authors: Elomo Christiane , Nguénayé Blandine , Tchoundjeu Zacharie , Assah Ebenezar , Tsobeng Alain , Avana Marie-Louise , Bell Martin J. , Nkeumoe Frederik
Published: February 2018

Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H. J. Lam. (Burseraceae) is a high-value fruit tree in West and Central Africa. Air layering of this species is now under control, but uncertainty remains as to the effect of a number of factors on rooting; these include cloning the type of propagule, the orientation of branches and the position of the marcots in the crown. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of cloning, the type of propagule (cuttings and marcots), position in the crown (lower and upper) and the orientation of branches (plagiotropic, oblic and orthotropic) on the tree ́s rooting ability. For the frst three factors, older clones of 10 years with a normal maturation were bedded in equal proportions of decomposed sawdust and arable soil. To test the orientation factor late maturing trees of over 20 years bedded in, decomposed sawdust were used. Ten months after the setting up of marcots, the results showed that the clonal effect significantly (p<0.001) af- fects the rooting of marcots. The best result was obtained for clones MA/DE/40M, BUM/DE/36M and DE/M/2-70C. The type of propagule had a significant effect (p<0.012) on percentage of rooting marcots. On the dead marcots, this effect was significant (p<0.038) from the eighth month. No significant effect (p = 0.124) of the position of the branch in the crown was recorded on the rooting of marcots. However, the upper crown had apparently a high percentage of rooting (39.59 ± 3.37%) compared to that of the lower crown (31.94 ± 3.44%) at 10 months. The percentage of dead marcots recorded was high at lower crown marcots (40.28 ± 4.08%) and the mean number of primary roots was low (6.97 ± 0.87 %) compared to the upper part (33.33 ± 3.91 and 7.36 ± 0.8% respectively). Nine months after the setting up of marcots, the orthotropic branches showed a high number of primary roots (13.55 ± 1.22%) and a low percentage of dead marcots (6.67 ± 4.55%) compared to plagiotropic branches (7.84 ± 0.77 and 26.67 ± 8.05% respectively). With respect to the orientation of branches, no significant (p = 0.45) effect on the rooting of marcots was recorded, but the rooting percentage of marcots on plagiotropic and oblic branches (43.33 ± 9.05%) was high compared to the percentage of orthotropic branch (30 ± 8.34%). It can therefore be concluded from this study that orthotropic branches of D. edulis, upper crown are among the best parameters for air layering. Key words: domestication, African plum tree, clone, marcots, Cameroon
Filles déscolarisées et apprentissage des « métiers masculins » dans la ville de Kinshasa : quelle image sociale ?
Authors: Alokpo Dieudonné Musa
Published: February 2018

In the city of Kinshasa there has been a marked increase in the numbers of women expressing an interest in jobs traditionally thought of as male occupations. The case of the out-of-school girls learning mechanics is a good illustration of this new phenomenon. In a society in which access to employment in the formal sector is saturated, apprenticeships organized in non-formal educa- tional centers offer out-of-school girls the opportunity to develop practical skills that can be used immediately, and so help them create their own employment opportunities. The choice to learn the 'male occupation' of mechanics contrasts with the cultural conceptions about the boundaries between the female and male oriented work. Considering such a contrast, and the recurring politi- cal discourse concerning gender equality, which encourages women to integrate into all spheres of social activity, it is interesting to question the inhabitants of Kinshasa about the relevance of the occupation choices of the out-of-school girls and about their skill levels in the "male jobs" arena. The survey showed that the inhabitants of Kinshasa are against the division of work along gender lines and remain in favor of the idea that men and women should be able to pursue jobs according to their skills rather than their sex.
Agricultural development and food security in Africa. Fantu Cheru, Renu Modi. Zed Books London, New York, 2013
Authors: Van Damme Patrick
Published: February 2018

Despite the Millenium Development Goals and the global interest in trying to guar- antee food security for all, the African continent is still suffering chronic food shortages. At any given time, several Sub-Saharan countries have dif culties meeting their popula- tions’ food demands for want of a stable production system, but essentially because of a lack of political stability. The global food crisis is deepening, as climate change leads to stagnating ordeclining agricultural productivity, as shortages of fertile land and water in- hibit the expansion of production that should follow growing population trends, and as growing demand for biofuel increases the competition for land. Given these extreme cir- cumstances, agricultural development and food security are, or ought to be, back at the top of the development agenda. Increasingly, both sovereign and private investors have set their sights on the African continent which still has abundant, and as yet unexploited, land reserves, as a potential source of global food and other agricultural commodities.
The recognition of the right of children to freedom from child labour in Africa: is it enough?
Authors: Lubaale Emma Charlene
Published: February 2018

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) envisages that by 2016, no child should be engaged in any form of hazardous labour. This goal is a furtherance of the universally guaranteed right of all children to be protected from child labour. The majority of, if not all African states recognise the right of children to be protected from child labour. This means that this freedom cannot be taken away from children. This notwithstanding, Africa registers the highest incidence of child labour in the world and it is highly unlikely that with the current pace, the ILO target will be hit. This article argues that whereas recognising the right of children to be protected from child labour is an ideal perspective through which child labour should be viewed and addressed, such recognition cannot of itself form a complete solution to the problem. Translating this right into reality requires conscious efforts, not only on the part of African governments but the international community as a whole. Key words: Africa, child labour, rights of children
Bestaat het Afrikaanse denken? Bestaat Afrika? Schets voor een publieke discussie
Authors: Stroeken Koen
Published: February 2018

Thirty years after Said’s critique of orientalism, which was closely followed by Mudimbe’s deconstruction of Africa as a colonial invention, Africanists have yet to solve their identity problem. Do they form a discipline? Or does each Africanist primarily belong to one discipline (history, anthropology, linguistics, literature and political sciences, and so on) each with its own method and object, each making the scientific claim to universality, that is, of transcending regional and cultural differences? If this is the case, then why should there be a study program called ‘African studies’ at all? Is there actually anything African to study? Is ‘African thought’ not a figment of our European, exoticising imagination? Is the continent itself not artificially delimited? The issue of regionally defined disciplines, or ‘area studies’, has recently become more acute in academia as the dominance of the positivist methodology has been increasingly felt and the humanities find themselves (again) on the defensive. The following essay can be read as an open letter, inviting students to infuse the debate with some fresh insights unhampered by academic jargon. The occasion for the debate is a previously published interview with scholars on the idea of ‘African thought’. The idea is absurd, both geographically and genetically. Yet, this essay argues, one generation after the first postcolonial wave, we can think of at least two levels at which Africa does exist: the social(-political) and the cultural(-historical). Both meanings of Africa shift the burden of proof to those deconstructing the concept. The paper is in Dutch and addresses a Dutch-speaking audience. It begins and ends with some intricate connotations of ‘Black’ (zwart), ‘race’ (ras) and ‘African thought’ (Afrikaans denken) that are characteristic of the Dutch language and Flemish society in particular.
‘Makhosi a via (Chiefs Commit Ritual Murder)’ – Why ritual murders in Southern Africa should be seen as meaningful violence (and not senseless)
Authors: De Jong Wiebe
Published: February 2018

Ritual or muti murder involves the practice wherein parts of the victim’s body are removed, usually while the victim is alive, for the purpose of making medicine to politically or economically strengthen those who use it. In this article it is argued that, in order to understand this ritual, we should focus on the cultural dynamics of ritual murder and perceive it as meaningful violence. There is, however, a growing tendency to understand ritual murders in rational, utilitarian terms, which has the inadvertent effect of missing the ‘thick description’ that may provide insight into the meaning of ritual murders and the question of why it persists in present-day society. As will be explained, with such an approach ritual murders can only appear as senseless. It cuts off the research at the point where it should actually start: with questions of meaning. By presenting his- torical and ethnographic evidence from South Africa, it is shown that ritual murders were once an accepted means of strengthening the king or chief, and as such, of preserving the whole society. It is argued that in the present day, people still practise ritual murders to politically or economically strengthen themselves, but that this point is neglected in public debate and the media. By focusing on two recent ritual murder cases, it is shown that this neglect has severe consequences for think- ing about, and dealing with ritual murders.
Purported use and self-awareness of cognitive and metacognitive foreign language reading strategies in tertiary education in Mozambique
Authors: Cabinda Manuel
Published: February 2018

This paper explores the results of a Survey of Reading Strategies (SORS)-based questionnaire administered to 28 university student participants. The study is carried out in a post-colonial multilingual context, Mozambique. The main aims of the paper are to assess the degree of purported use and awareness of participants own use of reading comprehension skills and strategies in a foreign language (English). The participants were tested for their reading text comprehension using an IELTS comprehension test (Cabinda, 2013). The results revealed low reading comprehension levels. Results contrast with results from the SORS-based questionnaire (Cabinda, 2013) which revealed claims of use of a wide range of cognitive, metacognitive and supply strategies – aspects of high level reading ability and text comprehension. Conclusions show that the participants used or claimed to chiefly use metacognitive and cognitive reading strategies equally, matching the behaviour of good readers, but they also reported a high degree of supply strate- gies to construe meaning from text, mainly code-switching, translation and cognates. The latter cofirms results from studies by Jimenez et al. (1995, 1996) and Zhang & Wu (2009), yet do not conclusively show a correlation between the participants’ degree of text comprehension and their effective use of reading skills and strategies to construe meaning. Further conclusions show that the reported high use of these L1 (Portuguese or other) related supply strategies (not used by English L1 readers) does not aid their reading comprehension. Key words : EFL, reading strategies, cognition, metacognition, awareness
Etudes des composantes du rendement et la qualité nutritionnelle du fourrage de quelques lignées de mil Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. des zones arides en Tunisie
Authors: Loumerem Mohamed , Van Damme Patrick , Kourchani Touhami , Reheul Dirk , Behaeghe Tillo
Published: February 2018

Un travail d’évaluation de la qualité du fourrage a été effectué sur vingt lignées de mil (Pennisetum glaucum L.) de la collection de l’Institut des Régions Arides de Médenine en Tunisie. L’objectif était de regrouper ces lignées selon leurs richesses en éléments nutritifs. Les analyses suivantes ont été effectuées sur les feuilles, les tiges et la plante entière : taux de matière sèche (MS); taux de matière minérale (MM); teneurs en matières azotées totales (MAT); teneurs en cellulose brute (CB); teneurs en bres insolubles dans les détergents neutres "Nutrient Detergent Fibre" (NDF) et teneurs en fibres insolubles dans les détergents acides, ‘Acid Detergent Fibre’ (ADF). Les analyses statistiques ont permis de regrouper les lignées en quatre groupes. Les lignées 3, 10, 14, 18, 64 et 75 sont les moins riches en ADF, NDF, CB, MAT, MM des tiges et MM des feuilles, tandis que les lignées 19, 46, 49, 107, 125 et 167 ont les teneurs les plus élevées en MATF, MMT et MATT. En outre, les plantes des lignées 49 et 167 présentent des valeurs plus élevées pour l’ADF et le MS des tiges, or que les plantes des lignées 49 et 125 sont beaucoup plus riches en CB des tiges que le reste des lignées. Les lignées 49, 125 et 167 seront maintenues comme des élites et elles seront soumises à des générations de fécondations libres pour tester leur aptitude à la combinaison générale, rechercher l’hétérosis maximale et sélectionner les meilleurs parents jusqu’à l’obtention d’une variété synthétique qui aurait un rendement en fourrage plus élevé que les cultivars couramment utilisés et mieux adaptée au milieu et aux techniques culturales des paysans des régions arides tunisiennes.Mots clés: amélioration génétique, sélection, variété synthétique
Analysis of relations between “equality of life chances” and “early childhood care and education”, as foundations for social justice and human development: a case study of Mauritius
Authors: Morabito Christian
Published: February 2018

In this research, we have analysed the relations between equality of life chances and early childhood care and education (ECCE). During the last decades we have seen a constant growth in socio-economic inequalities world-wide. Yet, in the same period, we have acknowledged an increasing attention, among scholars and policy makers, to early childhood education as a prominent (and consensual) equalizing policy. We critically reviewed this claim, by using a mixed method research, including a theoretical analysis through a critical literature review, quantitative analyses of a longitudinal database, and qualitative focus groups with parents in Mauritius. Findings suggest ECCE can only be an equaliser if accompanied by a change in the educational and social structures. Conclusions highlight the need of focusing further research on detecting complex mechanisms of accumulation of disadvantage in specific groups, and assessing the equalising effects of diverse interventions during early years, including income redistribution. Key words: equality, education, early childhood, Mauritius
Beyond the rhetoric of international human rights standards in the struggle to decriminalise homosexual conduct in Uganda
Authors: Lubaale Emma Charlene
Published: February 2018

In 2014, Uganda’s Constitutional Court struck down the problematic Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA). However, since the decision of the court was based on procedural rather than on substantive grounds, the AHA may very well be reintroduced, or, other anti-homosexuality laws in place can still be relied on to criminalise consensual homosexual conduct. The ideal solution is to have all the anti-homosexuality laws struck down in light of Uganda’s international human rights obligations. However, although a number of international human rights instruments lend impetus to the cause of decriminalisation in Uganda; these international standards have thus far not fully persuaded Uganda to have these discriminatory laws struck down. In this article, I argue that whereas arguments based on Uganda’s international and constitutional obligations form a good foundation for reform, these standards cannot of themselves form a complete solution to the prob- lem. Drawing on the various actors that were at the fore in the struggle towards the striking down of the AHA, I argue that translating the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people into a reality will require conscious efforts from a number of actors including the judiciary, international and national human rights defenders and faith-based organisations. I identify some of the mistakes made by the foregoing actors in advocating for the striking down of the AHA, and how these mistakes should be addressed if the cause of decriminalisation is to be effectively advanced. Although Uganda is placed at the heart of the discussion, the conclusions drawn are relevant to other African countries battling with this subject. Key words: Uganda, international human rights standards, Anti-Homosexuality Act, decriminalisation
Maternal mortality in Ethiopia: can a rights-based approach cure?
Authors: Abegaz Solomon Tekle
Published: February 2018

Preventable maternal death as a human rights concern is gaining greater momentum. This article examines the normative framework applying to maternal mortality, and highlights the important link that exists between women’s right to health and several other rights. It then discusses the differing, yet complementary, aspects of the nature of women’s right to health as a right relevant to shaping a human rights approach to maternal mortality, namely: achieving health-care services that are available, accessible, acceptable, and of high quality; engagement of civil society organisations in the promotion and protection of women’s health rights; and ensuring functioning accountability mechanisms. Even though the country recognises the right to health and other complementary rights in its current constitution, and also subscribes to numerous human rights instruments that incorporate the right to health, which equally apply to women, the article finds that there is a selective approach to women’s access to health goods and services; the room for mobilising civil society is restrictive; and an inefficient accountability system exits. Relying on the requirements of human rights norms and standards, the article argues for the potential role of operationalisation of the rights-based model to further reducing or eliminating maternal mortality in the Sustainable Development Goals period. Key words: human rights, maternal health, maternal mortality, rights-based approach to health
Kongo, een voorgeschiedenis
Authors: Van Damme Patrick
Published: February 2018

Lucas Catherine provides us with a brief history of pre-colonial Congo through a collection of tales and anecdotes from eight protagonists, all Belgians with the exception of Joseph Conrad, the writer, and Stanley, the journalist who once presumed he’d found Livingstone in the middle of the Congolese nowhere. The book’s bottom line is that even before colonialism extended its reach, the soon-to be colonised countries had histories, narratives that are seldom related. Through the observations and writings of early, pre-colonialist visitors, we become aware of the justi cations behind the expansion of in uence, how Congo was won, rst for King Leopold II, and then the Belgian state. We also get a whiff of the local avours, descriptions of culture and nature, and have to conclude together with the author that the capitalistic and paternalistic system (the latter com- ing with the missionaries and of cial administration) quickly led to the development of a system of racial exploitation. Catherine is quite adamant in his statements, but draws from a wealth of written sources to prove his point. An interesting read!
The foreign Debt Problem in Africa
Authors: Decoodt Patrick
Published: February 2018

The foreign debt problem of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), although an important obstacle against economic growth, is not the region's major economic problem. The creditors are less concerned about the relative small debt figures of SSA because of the lower risks for the equilibrium of the financial system. But from the debtors' viewpoint, the debt situation is possibly even more critical in low-income Africa than in the richer major debtor countries. SSA has a predominance of official creditors with the best obtainable credit terms. Notwithstanding these good terms, SSA is so poor that it has difficulties with fulfilling its debt service. There is no single solution for the African debt crisis. Anyway the official creditors have to adopt a more flexible attitude. The debtor countries have also to accept their own responsibility in the solutions of the problem. KEYWORDS: foreign debt problem, Sub-Saharan Africa
Waiting and Disenchantment: Kourouma's 'Les Soleils des Indépendances' and Oupoch's 'En attendant la Liberté'
Authors: Uwah Godwin Okebaram
Published: February 2018

Like Samuel Beckett's characters in En attendant Godot, the protagonists of Ahmadou Kourouma's Les Soleils des Indépendances and Gnaoulé Oupoh's En Attendant la Liberté wait for something to happen to change their lives. As they wait, they ascribe to the object of waiting an absolute certainty translated in terms of recognition, realization of the promises of independence, continuity of dynasty, freedom, and other good life-values. Ultimately, disenchantment displaces hope; the object of waiting eludes them and their general condition either worsens or, at best, remains static. Paradoxically, the characters continue to wait in anticipation of a turn-around in their destiny. Waiting thus becomes a type of imprisonment. To break the impasse, Oupoh seems to advocate continued struggle and a timely confrontation to effect change. Kourouma, on the other hand, appears to endorse existential revolt and self-abnegation; in his estimation, any change that does not liberate man from his Self merely perpetuates self-imprisonment. But for both the waiting game continues, and so does the paradox.KEYWORDS : West Africa, Kourouma, literature, motives, Oupoh
The humanitarian Action of Leopold II in Congo Free State. The Antislavery-Conference of Brussels (1889-1890)
Authors: Chatelet Luc
Published: February 2018

Already from the time he was a crown prince Leopold II dreamt of acquiring a colony. He firmly believed in the economic importance for the motherland of overseas territories. However, when he appeared on the African scene he presented himself as a champion of the struggle against slave trade. This disinterested humanitarian image was meant as a means of bypassing Belgian indifference towards colonization and also the foreign rivalry. But in Africa he was forced into an opportunist policy. A total lack of means left him no other choice but resorting to political and economic collaboration with the Arabs, who played a major role in the slave trade. It was at the moment when the European colonization met the Arabic resistance in East-Africa that Cardinal Lavigerie's campaign called for renewed public interest in the struggle against the Arabic slave trade. Great Britain asked Belgium to summon a diplomatic conference on the subject. In 1889 seventeen nations gathered to discuss a whole range of measures to limit slave trade on land and sea, arms trade and liquor traffic. The hottest issue on the agenda was the imposition of import duties in the Congo bassin. The main obstacle to the introduction of these taxes was the Dutch opposition against the changing of the terms of the Berlin Act (1885). The General Brussels Act did not include import tax regulations. These were the subject of a separate declaration, which Leopold however managed to connect to the General Act in such a way that neither could be ratified singly. Hence, the customs committee, convened after the Brussels negotiations to define more clearly the import duties, was an essential factor in the Antislavery Conference. It was not until 1892 that all obstacles were overcome and the final discussions rounded off.The Brussels Antislavery Conference did not induce Leopold to come to grips with slave trade and did not alter his Arabic policy. For the sovereign the conference was primarily a matter of economy and taxes. He wanted his colony to have more promising financial prospects. His attitude was conditioned by the precarious budget of the Congo Free State. The conference fitted in his new economic policy which consisted in carrying out his domanial projects. KEYWORDS: colonial history, colonization and humanitarianism, Leopold II, Antislavery Conference of Brussels (1889- 90), economic policy
Sociologcal and Organizational Aspects of Fuel Wood growing in traditional Communities: The Case of Northern Togo
Authors: Van Damme Patrick
Published: February 2018

As in many other African countries, wood is the most important source of energy for the rural and urban populations of Togo. Traditional attitudes towards trees and prohibitive laws explain why trees are not planted "spontaneously" by local communities even though they are facing serious woodfuel shortage problems. Promotion of tree planting has recently been taken up by government agencies and foreign funded projects. Most of them try to get local communities to plant trees, but their efforts are not always very successful. The reasons are manyfold: - the lack of tradition where tree planting is concerned; - the lack of familiarity with the proposed tree species; - the "delayed reward" when trees have been planted; - the absence of a fuelwood problem, according to the local population ;                                   - the location of the newly planted trees: near the house? at the roadside ? round the field ?     - the social organization of the community, and the traditional land tenure system;                  - the lack of certainty about the ultimate rights to the tree and the possibilities to cut it;            - absence of protection of the stands by a lack of motivation of the planter;                              - in some instances: the price of the plants;                                                                          - the persons who are asked to plant the trees are not necessarily those that will have to cut        them and use the fuelwood.Recently, it has become clear that the key to successful refo- restation lies within the local communities. Small scale approaches may well be the long term solution to the problem of fuelwood and energy supply, and involving women in the project interventions a further step in a more integrated approach.  As it is, the recent "social forestry" approach might well be the long expected solution. To meet the objective of having people plant trees, however, it will be necessary to establish a good extension service which not only starts initiatives but also assures a thorough follow up once the planting has started.The problems that have to be overcome - or bypassed - remain difficult, but recent experience has nevertheless given some insight in how to solve them! KEYWORDS: woodfuel, Togo, reforestation, integrated development
The Political Transformation of Lybia under Qadhafi
Authors: Haghebaert Bruno
Published: February 2018

In the Third World, the function of political leadership is more pivotal than in western countries. The subjective factor of Qadhafi has vital bearing on developments in Libya. There was no historical neccessity for Libya to have developed along the revolutionary path that it has. The formation of the Arab Socialist Union, the Popular Revolution, the creation of the Jamahiriya, the inauguration of the Revolutionary Committee movement and the programme of militarisation - all these issues are a result of Qadhafi's wish to "revolutionarize" Libyan society. His ultimate aim was to eliminate all intermediaries between the people and the political power. In practice, real power remained in the hands of Qadhafi and the Revolutionary Committees . A drastic fall in oil revenues and the arrogance and arbitrariness of Qadhafi1s revolutionary zealots led to growing discontent among the Libyan population. The American raid on Tripoli and Benghazi in April 1986 was meant to precipitate Qadhafi's downfall. But his regime was not overthrown and the Libyan leader proved to be a master of political survival. A (temporary) political and economic liberalisation has boosted his popularity. On the eve of the twentieth anniversary of the Libyan revolution, his position still seems to be secure.KEYWORDS : Qadhafi, Libya, Islamic state
Conflict and its Manifestations in Achebe's "Arrow of God"
Authors: Mordaunt Owen G.
Published: February 2018

Mordaunt describes how the Nigerian author Chinua Achebe deals with the problem of personal conflict in his novel "Arrow of God". The main character in this novel is Ezeulu, who is chiefpriest of the god Ulu, of the village of Umuaro. Ezeulu comes into conflict with himself in a quest to hold on to power despite his high age and the break-through of the British colonial administrators. Ezeulu wants to control both his people and the British administrators. Ezeulu believes the clan will silently follow him and the British will respect him. Hereto he sends his son to the white man's missionary school where the boy adopts the new religion and sacrileges his own. Ezeulu will not punish him despite the wishes of the clan. Achebe's novel shows that men cannot fight societies' will and that the latter can bring a man to insanity. KEYWORDS: English literature, Literature, Nigeria, Psychology.
Zimbabwe, Ten Years of Independent Development. A General Overview
Authors: Vandermeulen Martine
Published: February 2018

It will be obvious from my face that I feel very proud to welcome you at this seminar. I am pleased to see that we are so many to be interested in Zimbabwe, but I also feel embarrassed. Ten minutes to portray ten years of independent development of a country, one minute for each year, seems a bit unfair towards that country and its people. Especially, if we want to take into account the fact that it is located in the troubled region of Southern Africa and of the high expectations that both the local and international community might have had after more than ten years of liberation struggle. You will understand that the scope of my presentation can only be limited and general, and I hope that you will accept my apologies for these important issues which I will not be able to mention during this short presentation.
Women and Development in the Maghreb. A Socio-Cultural Approach.
Authors: Hachlouf Brahim
Published: February 2018

The under-development problem of the Third World can not exclusively be attributed to economic backlogging, political crises or supernatural events. The perseverance of old ancestral values, cultural, social and psychological, still remain obstructions to any social evolution in a country. The woman's role in society in these countries, is restricted to house-keeping and the bearing of children. A situation which weighs heavy on their economies. This article will shed light on the essential elements which hinder active woman participation in development of their economies, in particular in the Maghreb- countries. Discussed is their personal status, women's position in education and in the work-force.KEY WORDS: development, emancipation, islam, Maghreb, woman
Plant Ecology of the Namib Desert
Authors: Van Damme Patrick
Published: February 2018

The Namib desert is reportedly the oldest desert in the world. It consists of a number of very distinct ecosystems, six of which are dealt with in this text. Among them are the sand dune, the dry river bed and the domed inselbergs vegetation. The importance of fog water absorption for the Namib flora is discussed. Two important and noteworthy endemic plant species, i.e. Welwitschia mirabilis and Acanthosicyos horrida are treated extensively, because of their great interest for plant physiology and ethnobotany, resp. Special attention is given to the importance of the CAM photosynthetic system for Namib desert plant survival. Where possible the ethnobotanic importance of the species is discussed. KEY WORDS: Acanthosicyos horrida. desert flora, drought stress, ethnobotany, succulents, Welwitschia mirabilis
Namibia, After Three Years: Political Independent but Economic Unstable
Authors: Willemot Yves
Published: February 2018

Namibia became independent on the 21st of March 1990, after seventy-five years of South African colonial and racial rule. SWAPO fought a long war for liberation, but the independence was also gained thanks to the diplomatic pressure from the United Nations. The United Nations were actively involved in the organisation of the first free elections which were held on the 7th of November 1989. The SWAPO liberation movement became by far the most important political party in the Namibian Parliament. But from the beginning the SWAPO-leaders explained that the past should be forgotten. They promoted a constructive political and economic collaboration with all Namibians, African and European. Due to this atmosphere of reconciliation Namibia had a successful political independence. One of the world's most progressive constitutions was written. It ends all racial discrimination and guarantees an extensive review of the human rights. The rules for the organisation of the legislative, executive and judiciary power are respected by all political parties. Namibia is without any doubt an example for a lot of African countries, which are now making steps towards democracy and multi-partyism. The Namibian government has still a lot of problems to deal with. The major ones are the social and economic inequalities that still exist between African and European Namibians. The conditions of life of the European Namibians are comparable to these in modern western societies, while African Namibians are living in poverty. The government will have to change this, because in the long term one cannot expect to build democracy on empty stomachs. But in order to realize the necessary economic growth, Namibians are also counting on the support and the investments from abroad. A member of government recently said: "Now we've installed democracy and the human rights are respected, where are the foreign in- vestments and the international aid?"
The Natural Environment of the Namib Desert
Authors: Van Damme Patrick , Vernemmen Patrick
Published: February 2018

The Topnaar basically live in two distinct areas in the Namib Desert i.e. the Kuiseb river valley and the Sesfontein area. The ecology of both these zones is presented and discussed in detail. Specific attention is given to the plant communities that occur in both of them.
Topnaar or Hottentot? The People on the Top Revisited
Authors: Van Damme Patrick , Van Den Eynden Veerle
Published: February 2018

The Topnaar which live in the Namib Desert have only been studied superficially. This article gives some sociological, historical and general interest information about these wonderful people
Recent Dutch and Belgian Approaches to Ethnicity in Africa
Authors: Schilder Kees , Van Binsbergen Wim
Published: February 2018

The papers in the present special issue of Afrika Focus are discussed from a comparative and theoretical perspective, which highlights the shortcomings of current approaches to African ethnicity on two counts: the assumption that ethnicity is a colonial creation, and the over-emphasis on political manipulation. The papers here presented suggest that there is a case for a re-assessment of the limits to ethnic manipulation, and the exploration of the explanatory value of local cultures considered over considerable time periods.

KEY WORDS : ethnicity, Africa, colonialism, culture
Symbolic and Diachronic Study of Inter-Cultural Therapeutic and Divinatory Roles among the aLuund ('Lunda') and Chokwe in the Upper Kwaango (South-Western Zaire)
Authors: De Boeck Filip
Published: February 2018

This article attempts to analyze inter-cultural ritual (therapeutic and divinatory) interaction between the aLuund and Chokwe of Southwestern Zaire. The fact that the aLuund turn to neighbouring groups for ritual and therapeutic assistance invites questions with regard to the nature of the unity of Luunda cultural order and identity, and the subject of the cultural praxis. A reflection is offered upon the ways in which cultural traditions and identities are generated and maintained, and processes of cultural exchange contribute to shape and activate the unity of the Luunda ritual world. KEY WORDS : Zaire, Luunda, healing, divination, ritual
Berber Identity and the new Multi-Partyism in Algeria
Authors: Beke Dirk
Published: February 2018

The article first argues that the present population of Algeria can be designed as Arabo-Berber and Berber. The original inhabitants, collectively identified by most historians as Berbers, formed no physical ethnic unity, but they had a common Berber language and culture. The Islamisation of the population of North Africa proceeded faster and became almost general, this in contrast to the slower and more limited Arabisation. The physical-ethnic process of Arabisation by settlement and fusion was altogether restrained. The Arabisaiton was essentially a cultural process (language, popular culture, customs, politics, science, arts).About one fourth of the present Algerians resisted to (entire) Arabisation. They are living in, or originated from mountain or desert regions (Kabyles, Shawiya, Mozabites, Touareg). Since independence the official policy of Arabisation, against the strong influence of the French language, referred exclusively to Arabic character of the nation. All expressions of the Berber identity, culture and language were oppressed.Since 1980, a growing cultural revival, mainly among the Kabyles, reacted to this policy. The movement was rather cultural than political. The Berber speaking Algerians seem involved into many other regional and national alliances. With the introduction of the multi-partyism, in 1989, two 'Berber' political parties became active: the FFS (Front des Forces socialistes) and the RCD (Rassemblement pour la Culture et la Démocratie). Both parties claim to be national parties and insist on defending, besides the recognition of the Berber identity and culture, general political options (socialism, democracy etc.). Electoral results, however, show that their support comes essentially from different factions of the Berber speaking population.It is obvious that the Berber ethnicity is used to gain electoral backing. Besides, today the two 'Berber' parties represent the strongest opposition to the Islamic (= Arabic) fundamentalist party, the FIS (Front islamique de Salut), because of their resistance to social, cultural and political intolerance. Secessionist ideas based on Berber ethnicity live only among a small — but well-organised — minority. At the end of 1992, the Berber ethnicity is in Algeria primarily an element of cultural and regional recognition and only secondary an element of political coherence. Finally, Berber ethnicity has also invalidated the official political myth of the homogeneous Algerian Arabic ethnicity. KEY WORDS: Algeria, Arabs, Berbers, ethnicity, Islam, political parties
Stagnation and Growth of a Rural Centre in the Middle Atlas of Morocco: a Macro-Perspective
Authors: Venema Bernhard
Published: February 2018

This article describes the backgrounds of stagnation and growth of the rural centre Azrou in Morocco. Before the Protectorate (1912) this centre was the most important market-place for the Beni Mguild cattle-holders. Although it was connected with the international trading route between Tanger, Fez/Meknes and Tafilalt, it remained a secondary trading centre because in the Middle Atlas the central government was not always able to guarantee safe passage of the caravans. At the turn of last century, the growth of Azrou stagnated because trading and manufacturing became concentrated in the cities along the Atlantic coast. Since the Protectorate, Azrou developed into an important rural centre due to the development of the primary sector and trade. This was encouraged by the 'pacification ' of the Middle Atlas, the colonization of part of the area and the foundation of several public and semi-public institutions. Azrou's growth continued in the post-colonial period with a spectacular rate just after independence because the new government admitted free circulation of men. From the new possibilities, migrants from the south (Ait Gheriss) and from the north (Riffis) profited most and the Beni Guild the least.K E Y W O R D S : development of rural centres, migration, North Africa.
Germinación diferencial asociada con viviparidad facultativa en Stenocereus thurberi (Cactaceae): correlaciones climáticas en poblaciones marginales de Sinaloa, México
Authors: Casillas Álvarez Pedro , Reyes Olivas Alvaro , Sánchez-Soto Bardo Heleodoro , García Moya Edmundo , Lugo-García Gabriel Antonio , Soto-Hernández Ramón Marcos
Published: February 2018

Antecedentes y Objetivos: La germinación precoz (vivípara) de semillas en frutos de Stenocereus thurberi se ha correlacionado con mayor velocidad de germinación de las semillas remanentes. Esta investigación compara la germinación de cinco poblaciones de Sinaloa, México, para determinar: 1) si existe un patrón asociado con la germinación precoz de las semillas y 2) cuánto contribuye el fenómeno vivíparo a la germinación, dada la variación entre frutos, individuos y poblaciones de esta especie.Métodos: Se revisó el nivel de viviparidad de 194 plantas y se separaron las semillas en cuatro probables fuentes de varianza: poblaciones, categorías reproductivas (VV: vivíparas y NV: no vivíparas), plantas dentro de categorías y frutos dentro de plantas. Las respuestas de germinación final (PGF), tiempo medio (TMG), velocidad (VG) y sincronía de germinación (SG) se evaluaron en bloques al azar con tres repeticiones, en unidades experimentales de 25 semillas. Los datos se analizaron con ANOVA’s jerárquicos bajo un modelo lineal mixto.Resultados clave: Las categorías reproductivas explicaron 5-11% de la varianza y mostraron diferencias significativas a favor de las vivíparas, con PGF de 35 vs 19% y 91 vs 72%, VG de 1.5 vs 0.5 y 7.9 vs 5.4 semillas/día, y SG de 0.3 vs 0.1, 0.7 vs 0.5 y 0.8 vs 0.6. Las poblaciones de Buenavista y Tosalibampo tuvieron mayor porcentaje, velocidad y sincronía de germinación (prueba t de Student, P<0.05) que las otras poblaciones.Conclusiones: Existe un patrón de germinación asociado con viviparidad en S. thurberi. La varianza asociada con esta condición depende del ambiente de maduración y germinación de las semillas. Los fenotipos vivíparos germinaron con mayor vigor que los no vivíparos, mostrando potencial para apoyar la incorporación de individuos y el crecimiento de la población en condiciones de estrés hídrico y salino.