The National Network of Youth Associations (Rede Nacional de Associacoes Juvenis, RENAJ), including its activities and board of directors; RENAJ's publication of a newsletter titled "NOBRESA," which is reportedly highly critical of the government and, in particular, Artur Sanha's appointment as prime minister; RENAJ's relationship with the government (2000-2003) [GNB42365.FE]

Information on the National Network of Youth Associations (Rede Nacional de Associacoes Juvenis, RENAJ), also called the National Youth Network (WAANSA June 2003), is limited among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

As a partner of Oxfam America (Oxfam 2004; ibid. 2001), the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (United Nations 2002), RENAJ is a network of 60 Guinea-Bissauan youth associations (Oxfam 2004). Its objectives include educating youth about civic and human rights, promoting young people's sense of civic duty, and supporting national reconciliation (ibid.; ibid. 2001).

The list of organizations that participated in the "founding conference" of the Western African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA), held in Accra on 20 and 21 May 2002, gives RENAJ's address as "Comilexo Eresler, 14 Novemer, Balno de Afrida 25 fise, Guinée-Bissau," its telephone number as (245) 25 52 14, its fax number as (245) 25 52 15, and its e-mail address as rederenaj@hotmail.com (WAANSA June 2003). Without indicating his position within RENAJ, this source also indicated that Lopez Nelson Constantino represented RENAJ at the conference (ibid.).

No information on the newsletter known as NOBRESA, reportedly published by RENAJ, or on the relationship of the government authorities with the network could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Oxfam America. 2004. "West Africa. West Africa Partners: Guinea Bissau." http://www.oxfamamerica.org/global/art5616.html?mapid=350 [Accessed 10 Feb. 2004]

_____. 2001. Oxfam America 2001 Annual Report. http://www.oxfamamerica.org/pdfs/2001.pdf [Accessed 10 Feb. 2004]

United Nations. 2002. United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme. "En Guinée-Bissau, le volontariat est en route vers les Objectifs du millénaire pour le développement (OMD)." http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/dynamic/cfapps/news/news2.cfm?ArticlesID=354 [Accessed 11 Feb. 2004]

Western African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) [Abidjan]. June 2003. Conmany B. Wesseh and Afi Yakubu. "Documents fondamentaux : conférence fondatrice du RASALAO." http://www.grip.org/rafal/rafalnews/rasalao-fr.pdf [Accessed 9 Feb. 2004]

Additional Sources Consulted


Attempts to reach RENAJ's offices were unsuccessful.

Africa Confidential

Africa Research Bulletin

Dialog

IRB Databases

Resource Centre country file. Guinea-Bissau

West Africa

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

European Country of Origin Information Network (Ecoi.net)

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

International Federation of Human Rights Leagues (FIDH)

International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX)

MISNA

ReliefWeb

Reporters sans frontières (RSF)

Associated documents