When a place in the Middle East is labelled as ‘gay friendly’, does this simply open it up to a new host of demands from the West, asks blogger A of Arabia.

The Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa (EISA) deployed a observer mission to the Zanzibar General Elections of 31 October 2010 and has issued preliminary findings and recommendations. The mission noted that there has been a significant improvement in levels of political tolerance since the last elections held in Zanzibar in 2005. The agreement between President Amane Abeid Karume, leader of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) in Zanzibar and Seif Sharif Hamad, leader of Civic United Front (CUF) contributed significantly to this observable change in political tolerance.

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, the leading independent network on elections in Zimbabwe, convened a conference in Vumba – Leopard Rock Hotel which brought together various organisations and partners working on elections to deliberate on electoral issues in light of the possible referendum on the new constitution and elections in 2011. The conference was held under the theme: 'Enhancing Mutual Cooperation and Interaction on election Related activities amongst CSOs.'

The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance (WGEID) has adopted two new General Comments on the crime of enforced disappearance. Phil ya Nangoloh, the Executive Director of NAMRIGHTS, states that in Namibia this effectively means, for example, that the perpetrators of the enforced disappearances of thousands of Namibians should be held responsible for the said disappearances starting before June 25 2002 when Namibia ratified the Rome Statute (RS) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and continuing after such ratification.

Barack Obama has renewed sanctions against Sudan's government, keeping pressure on Khartoum to stick to the timetable for holding a referendum on southern independence. However, the US president also held out for the prospect for reconsidering Monday's decision if Sudanese leaders made progress in resolving the country's north-south dispute and improved the situation in the troubled Darfur region.

. I only wish we in the Caribbean were as wise as our African brothers and sisters in holding off on signing an EPA with the EU. Our EPA, much as described in this article will almost certainly recreate the colonial structures that will lock our economies into a system that will serve Europe's interests high above anything else.

Rejecting EPAs and consolidating regional economic communities may well be the first step in Africa’s move towards regaining independence, writes Owen Sichone.

Africa needs to approach trade deals from a continental level if it is to resist a new wave of colonisation, says Carol Kayira-Kulemeka.

Lack of protection from cheap subsidised imports under EPAs poses a threat to East Africa’s agricultural industry, writes T. Mohammed Yusuf.

Many thanks for keeping us up-to-date with developments - on the one hand, exposing political and economic contaminations, and on the other, featuring dreams and aspirations based on true memories and daring kindred spirits striving to restore freedom, equality and justice worldwide.

We struggle in the same way over here.

Peace and love.

The Ethiopian government has gone back on their decision to ban distance learning programmes. Alemayehu G. Mariam says the lessons that should be learnt include a respect for the rule of law and the need for rational policy-making.

Fahamu is pleased to announce the appointment of Hakima Abbas as its new executive director (ED). Hakima began with Fahamu as the coordinator of the AU Monitor initiative and subsequently served as deputy director over the last two years. The founding director, Firoze Manji, stepped down as ED in January 2010 to enable him to lead on Pambazuka News and Pambazuka Press, a position he will continue with. Hakima takes up the post as executive director of Fahamu in November 2010. Here she maps out her perspectives for the future direction of the organisation.

In its quest to improve its image, Egypt's government recently hired the major UK public relations firm Bell Pottinger to better deliver its message to an international audience. The decision to seek PR help is due to the government's discontent over the way Egypt's regime is portrayed in Western media. According to Heba Morayef, a Human Rights Watch researcher on Egypt and Libya, there has been an increase in the number of arrests of dissidents, crackdown on peaceful demonstrations, and an increase in the number of arrests due to religious beliefs.

A new round of talks on the Western Sahara will aim to break an impasse over the future of the disputed North African territory, the UN says. The meeting of Western Sahara's independent movement Polisario Front and Moroccan officials has been scheduled for next week in New York.

Results from a referendum in Niger show more than 90 per cent of voters backed a new constitution designed to return the country to civilian rule. The constitution was put forward by the junta leaders who came to power in a coup which ousted ex-President Mamadou Tandja in February.

The presidential election in Ivory Coast is likely to go into a second round after partial results point to a tight race between the top candidates. With about half the ballots counted, incumbent Laurent Gbagbo has 37 per cent, with Alassane Ouattara on 34 per cent, the election commission said. Turnout was about 80 per cent - reportedly one of the highest rates ever in Africa.

Knowledge of a government’s allocation of tax expenditure is central to citizens’ awareness of where their money goes. In a report on budget transparency, Uwazi-Twaweza asks how East African countries fare in this area.

Tanzanians voted on on 31 October 2010 to elect the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, President of Zanzibar, Members of Parliament and Members of the Zanzibar House of Representatives. Using hashtags #UchaguziTZ, #uchaguzi, and #TZelect, Tanzanian netizens have been keeping their followers updated with results and on-the-ground observations.

The African Union (AU) Tuesday called Sunday's presidential election in Cote d'Ivoire a historical breakthrough, and urged the country's leading politicians to stay calm and accept the poll results without resorting to violence. 'This is certainly a historic vote, which marks a crucial step in the process for a way out of the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire,' said Commission Chairperson, Jean Ping. Nearly six million Ivorians went to the polls for the first time in several years to elect a president to run their country.

Getting a passport can be vital for making a living but mounting hidden costs are making it tougher to access one, despite the government recently slashing passport fees. Fees have been reduced from US$140 to $50, but the document can cost up to $120 or even $300, as Theresa Makone, the joint minister of home affairs, discovered on an impromptu visit to the Harare office which issues passports.