NAIROBI, Jan 20: Anti-globalisation activists marched on Saturday through Africa's largest slum, calling for an end to conflict and a new war on poverty at the start of a major protest against global capitalism.

Nearly 5,000 delegates attending the World Social Forum trekked from Kibera, the slum featured in the 2005 film “The Constant Gardner” that lampooned the pharmaceutical industry's practices in Africa, to the capital's Uhuru (Independence) Park, clogging one of the Kenyan capital's main arteries.

The gathering, days before government and business leaders hold their annual powerfest in the Alpine resort of Davos, was enlivened by the beat of makeshift African drums and chants of “another world is possible”.

The carnival atmosphere however failed to mask disappointment at the low turnout for the opening of a forum which organisers hope will be attended by up to 80,000 people.

“We are fighting against poverty, ignorance, corruption and exploitation,” said Zambia's founding president Kenneth Kaunda in an address at Uhuru Park.—AFP