Africa: Faces in Words

New weekly update on the breaking stories in the African nations.

Women in Sudan photographed this week.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Unseen, unheard; no one should be the bearer of these two words. Unfortunately, Africa is often in the forefront of this association.

Our common humanity should change this; we should never look away because it is too distant. Our commitment to one another, to human rights, and the ability to learn should always keep us connected no matter the severity and complexity of problems.

Important insights from last week, not to be missed:

UNICEF Pressing to End Recruitment of Child Soldiers in Central Africa - The United Nations Children's Fund is pressing to end the recruitment of child soldiers in Central Africa. The campaign also seeks to improve educational opportunities for former child soldiers. UNICEF Pressing to End Recruitment of Child Soldiers in Central Africa - Voices of America

Nigeria cleans “poisoned” villages, treats children - Health workers have set up emergency treatment centres in northern Nigeria for scores of children suffering from lead poisoning and are racing to contain contamination which has already killed more than 160 people. Nigeria cleans "poisoned" villages, treats children - Thomson Reuters Foundation

Soldiers On Rampage – Brutalise Police, Injure Three - Soldiers from the Fourth Garrison in Kumasi have gone on rampage, brutalising more than a dozen policemen at various duty posts in the Kumasi metropolis and leaving three of them unconscious. Soldiers On Rampage - Brutalise Police, Injure Three - Graphic Ghana.com

In Zambia, Post Editor Fred M’membe sent to prison - Veteran Zambian Editor Fred M’membe was sent to prison today following his sentencing for contempt of court sparked by an op-ed on the state’s prosecution of a journalist, according to local journalists and news reports. In Zambia, Post Editor Fred M’membe sent to prison - Committee to Protect Journalists

Watchdog Group Says Evidence Uncovered Of Oil Exploration In Darfur - The international watchdog group Global Witness has obtained satellite pictures suggesting an area in the far north of Darfur, Sudan is being explored for oil. The group says an oil discovery could help peace efforts in the region if any revenues were distributed fairly. Watchdog Group Says Evidence Uncovered Of Oil Exploration In Darfur - Voice of America

Kenya: How Looting of IDP Cash Was Exposed - The theft of money meant for internal refugees was uncovered in an audit by the Ministry of Finance. Kenya: How Looting of IDP Cash Was Exposed - allafrica.com

Egypt breaks its own Gaza blockade - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a target of public outrage following the deadly weekend raid by Israeli commandos on a Turkish-led aid flotilla, kept the Rafah border crossing with Gaza open Thursday to people and supplies. Egypt breaks its own Gaza blockade - globalpost.com

Somalia: Rise in Mental Health Disorders blamed on Conflict - Prolonged conflict in Somalia, especially in and around the capital, Mogadishu, has contributed to an alarming increase in the number of mental health patients, according to health officials. SOMALIA: Rise in mental health disorders blamed on conflict - Medeshi.com

Rwanda: US Genocide Lawyer ‘attempted suicide’ - Peter Erlinder arrived in Rwanda last week to help defend opposition leader Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, who has been charged with promoting genocide ideology last month. Rwanda: US genocide lawyer 'attempted suicide' - The BBC

War victims turn to ICC for compensation - Lillian Andia was captured by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels 12 years ago at the age of nine. She was preparing to do her Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) in Gulu. At the brutal hand of the LRA’s elusive leader, Joseph Kony, she first tirelessly worked as house maid to an influential commander before being forcefully married to Lt Okot Odek. War victims turn to ICC for compensation - The Daily Monitor