As 2005 draws to a close, what were some of the major human rights issues facing Africa. For a look back, English to Africa reporter Joe De Capua spoke with Phil ya Nangoloh, head of the Namibian National Society for Human Rights. He spoke from the town Oshakati, about 700 kilometers northwest of the capital, Windhoek.
He says, “I think the biggest problem in Africa 2005 is the usual problem, of course, that of HIV/AIDS infection. That is, in fact, particularly in southern Africa, a very serious problem. I think another problem that we are experiencing in southern Africa is that of unemployment. That is not so much a problem like HIV/AIDS. But the two are reinforcing because under the condition of poverty HIV/AIDS spreads faster. I think the third problem is from the political front in southern Africa…the biggest problem, I guess, is that of Zimbabwe, as well as Swaziland. These countries are having problems of democracy. There have been numerous reports of very serious violations of human rights.”
Mr. ya Nangoloh also says Angola is also have problems with its young democracy.
