Pambazuka News 681: Boko Haram, bananalisation of racism & elusive unity
Pambazuka News 681: Boko Haram, bananalisation of racism & elusive unity
A well-respected Mozambican academic is facing trial for a comment he made on Facebook critical of President Guebuza. This is flagrant violation of the professor’s freedom of opinion and of expression. Such repression may close down public debate and lead to self-censorship.
All current cases before the ICC are from Africa and case referrals are restricted by international politics. However, this should not be an excuse for African leaders to circumvent justice. As no African Court with efficient jurisdiction and capacity exists, the ICC remains vital to African victims and ending impunity.
The hardline military approach to Boko Haram by the Nigerian government is inadequate. Boko Haram's challenge has economic, political and social dimensions that government ignores to the detriment of Nigerians. All progressive forces will now have to wade in to oppose both Boko Haram and the states that provide the enabling conditions for the growth of terror elements
51 years after the founding of the OAU, now AU, Africa has largely failed to build effective unity, with countries ravaged by internal conflict and the AU failing to have any impact in global power. Internal failures are exploited by imperialist powers to continue their meddling in African affairs. A political alternative based upon revolutionary Pan-Africanism, anti-imperialism and socialism provides the only hope for Africa
As Boko Haram adopts new strategies for shaking up Nigeria, the government must understand that they cannot respond effectively with force. The government must provide effective social services, thereby instilling trust in the state and discouraging discontent and radical action.
Circumcision of women and girls continues around the world even in countries where it has been expressly banned by law. More and diverse efforts are need to win this struggle, as this Kenyan film-maker explains
The neoliberal policy stance of the African National Congress and the socioeconomic consequences of these policies mark the death of the conservative Black Nationalist movement. The working class and the revolutionary Left must now move away from ‘black consciousness’ to ‘mass consciousness’ to challenge social injustice.
The ‘banana campaign’ against racism is cheap as it fails to address the fact that racism is a serious crime that should be punished. Such depoliticised reactions from athletes, artists, opinion-shapers and policy-makers help to cover up the real meaning of racism
The danger of America’s military assistance to Africa – whether it is in fighting Boko Haram or Al-Shabaab - lies in the fact that the US has a lethal history of training death squads around the world. These death squads are now coming to Africa via the blessing of Boko Haram
Previously touted as transparent, Malawi’s recent election proved chaotic amid polling day havoc and vote counting anomalies. Incumbent Joyce Banda cried foul over preliminary results, but an electoral commission recount upheld opposition leader Peter Mutharika’s win. Malawi’s leaders, the AU and SADC must now continue to promote stability to protect democracy and the will of the Malawian people.
Rev. Jesse Jackson urges the Bank to address the issue of rampant racism against Black people.
The Chair of The National Congress of Black Women wants the World Bank to expeditiously establish an independent high-level commission to review the current situation of racism against blacks at the institution and provide recommendations for fundamental reforms.
Pambazuka News 679: Boko Haram & Western intervention and diagnosing SA elections
Pambazuka News 679: Boko Haram & Western intervention and diagnosing SA elections
In discussions on fisheries policy-making in Africa and globally, private sector interests overshadow the needs of small-scale fisher peoples. The numerous initiatives represent only the ideology of a small elite backed by millions of US dollars
South Africa is a much better place to live in under the ANC, but the former liberation movement delegitimizes itself by failure to redress growing structural inequalities and injustice rooted in apartheid. A leftist party is needed to drive a true democratic revolution
Western imperialists, now posing as saviours in the Boko Haram crisis in Nigeria, are using the opportunity to consolidate their meddling in the country’s public life. The West’s military intervention cannot defeat terrorism, which is a product of capitalism. Only a socialist revolution can offer lasting solutions
Critics of the BRICS base their arguments on empirical observations. But they need to go further beyond this and provide a deeper analysis of their theory of sub-imperialism. Otherwise their critique is a distraction from real issues of concern to progressive forces
The complex history and ethnography of Rwanda that has its roots and fruits in the rest of the Great Lakes Region could hold the key to the country’s prosperity and ultimate survival. In this regard it might be helpful to deconstruct some of the dominant narratives
17 May is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Such a day has become necessary to remind society of the way in which we apply inconsistent moral standards on a daily basis against people based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
The Pan African Institute calls on Boko Haram to release unharmed the abducted girls or face the consequences of their barbaric actions.
Somaliland has been a self-governing nation for 23 years, but lacks international recognition as a state. Somaliland’s neighbours should recognise the nation to ensure security and stability in the region
A coalition of organisations and human rights defenders working to advance human and peoples’ rights welcomes the adoption of a Resolution on Protection Against Violence and other Human Rights Violations Against Persons on the Basis of their Real or Imputed Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity' by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its 55th session held in Luanda, Angola, April 2014.
On this African liberation day, we, the undersigned, note with grave concern the continent-wide deepening crisis including, growing militarism, the crisis in democracy, an expanding neoliberal economic order, deepening patriarchy, homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism, amongst others.
With the abduction of the Nigerian girls, the government of President Goodluck Jonathan has refused to exchange the girls for imprisoned Boko Haram members. Whilst the government has been in dialogue with some sect members in regards to amnesty and clemency, it seems the insurgency brings political gains to the government
The growing threat of Boko Haram has regional implications and led to a conference in Paris with the leaders of Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad participating. The conference is representative of the burgeoning militarization of the continent led by the Pentagon and NATO forces and does not augur well for the long-term security of Africa’s people
The Nigerian military has been carrying out atrocious extra-judicial killings of Boko Haram suspects. The Chibok abductions are serving the same US foreign policy purposes as Joseph Kony sightings in central Africa and will better grow AFRICOM with client states in Nigeria and the West African region in a very long war
In an open letter to the President of Nigeria, a loyal citizen of Nigeria demands the President Goodluck Jonathan resign and give way for another leader who will defend the rights and lives of the citizens of Nigeria
Professor Omar Haroon Al Khaleefa left his home in an upscale neighborhood of Khartoum North and was never seen again. His family holds the Sudanese authorities responsible for his disappearance, saying they have failed to investigate new information that has come to light.
Successive presidents of Malawi have undertaken zealous campaigns to rehabilitate the country’s first president, Kamuzu Banda. However, unquestioningly accepting positive depictions of his presidency increase the risk of forgetting past atrocities and make the country vulnerable to future governmental abuses of power
As the Cote d’Ivoire gears up for elections in 2015, is it truly prepared to avoid the violence that marred the last elections in 2010? A stringent approach is needed by all actors to ensure this is the case.
Recent terror attacks in Nairobi have generated widespread xenophobic sentiment against the Somali community, both within the public and government circles. Resisting oppressive mechanisms, emphasis should be placed on social transformation that creates opportunities for the average Kenyan and reduces the recruitment appeal of terror networks.
There was no question about the ANC winning this election, despite disaffection with its performance. The opposition parties have not worked hard enough to convince voters that they are a better alternative.
In 20 years, the population which has chosen not to vote has increased by 9.4 million. What does this largely hidden tale tell us about South Africa’s political system and its democracy?
By antagonizing and humiliating France, the Rwandan strongman seeks to claim the status of a nationalist and pan-Africanist standing up to a Western power. But this is absurd
The current debate about Somalia’s future and its relationship with foreign donors is split between two schools of thought – those who advocate ‘hybrid systems of governance’ and those who continue to see state-building as the necessary first step towards stability and prosperity.
Pambazuka News 686: Dreams of revolution: Women, youth and the environment
Pambazuka News 686: Dreams of revolution: Women, youth and the environment
Pambazuka News invites articles on the vexed question of GMOs and food sovereignty in Africa to help readers make sense of the debate in order to effectively play their roles as citizens
Young gay men are taking refuge online as their lives become increasingly difficult in this deeply conservative country
The post-revolution governments in Egypt have done little to appease a disgruntled, restless and marginalised youth. The youth spearheaded the revolt that toppled the Mubarak dictatorship, but a largely ageing elite is still at the helm.
Although New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has OK’d a $40 million settlement with the Central Park 5, who were wrongfully imprisoned for brutal rape, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg insists the police acted in “good faith.” In a sane, non-racist society, the fact that five innocent children had been made to confess to a horrible crime that they did not commit would be viewed as a prima facie case of police misconduct.
Since the Palestinian call for a boycott against Israel was issued in 2005 several high profile artists, musicians and authors have cancelled Israeli performances and engagements including Stevie Wonder, Danny Glover, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, Alice Walker, Stephen Hawking, Mira Nair and the music band Faithless
Smallholder farmers in Nigeria remain underprivileged, lacking access to critical information required for their agricultural activities. We are often not able to produce sufficiently for our communities and often see limited incentives to produce more than what is needed for our own livelihood. This is primarily caused by the limited access to the inputs, support services, markets and credit, which would enable us to increase our production and sales volumes.
* Henry Ekwuruke, a smallholder farmer, writes from Umuahia, Abia State.
An ecological haven for numerous tree, plant and bird species, as well as a source of income for an estimated 300 plant and pot sellers and other people who have been working in the area for over 15 years, the wetland was allocated to the Presbyterian Church of East Africa by the Kenyan government in compensation for land the church had lost elsewhere
The arrest and trial of the women once again highlights unacceptable state repression. The seven have been denied release pending hearing of their case, which resumes in September
In a commitment to gender equity Namibia’s government will introduce a new system to achieve 50 percent representation of women in leadership positions. Will it really change the socio-economic, political structures and mind-set in the country?
The environmentalist, Nnimmo Bassey, deplores the Green Revolution in Africa and oil spills in the Niger Delta region. He does not underestimate the work to be done to educate people on the need to stop those who wish to destroy the environment and to redefine new concepts of development
What are the citizens supposed to do when the president blatantly violates the constitution he was elected under and which he swore to uphold, protect and defend? That is the questions Kenyans are grappling with
Rwanda gets plenty of applause for putting the genocide behind and creating a reconciled society focused on marching forward to a prosperous future. But is that so? In this article, we learn that former high-ranking officials who were acquitted of genocide charges by the international crimes tribunal in Arusha, or who served their sentences, are not welcome back home.
The feeling of hope after the independence of South Sudan was short-lived for many South Sudanese and has now been replaced by cynicism and suspicion. In this light, a new agreement to end war in South Sudan gives only little hope that it will set a different path for the Africa’s youngest nation.
In the 20 years since genocide, Rwanda’s government has fostered the appearance of national progress while focusing its machinations on concentrating power along ethnic lines. Rwanda has not reached reconciliation, healing, or equality, increasing its risk of another round of national upheaval.
This year’s African Union summit was marked by calls for economic and political independence from the West. Mutually beneficial relations between the AU and China as well as internal security are critical to the discussion around Africa’s sovereignty and the ways in which the continent may seize its rightful place in international affairs.
In a few months, Zambia will turn 50. A sober assessment of how the country has fared since independence would show that some notable progress has been achieved. But serious challenges still persist. Zambia now needs new blood, new formulae and new commitment to drive its economic and political agenda
True strength does not come from capitalist economic power. True strength is found in life, in nature. It comes from realizing that we are part of the natural world. We are not just struggling to earn more money. The struggle is about the defense of life in all its forms.
Pambazuka News 677: Twenty years of ANC, land, dams and abductions
Pambazuka News 677: Twenty years of ANC, land, dams and abductions
Mozambique will hold national elections in October. Politics in the southern African nation has been dominated by two parties, FRELIMO and RENAMO. But now a young party is causing waves across the country, pledging to focus on ‘a development agenda’
FGM is illegal in Kenya, but the practice thrives in many parts of the country. In the north where some of the most horrific forms of FGM are conducted, circumcisers have become millionaires operating on the daughters of wealthy Kenyan migrants to Europe
With all the progress made so far, and with new scientific evidence and medical tools providing hope that the epidemic can finally be brought under control, there needs to be a sustained effort and a scale up of investment to make this hope a reality.
It looks unlikely that the Nigerian government is doing everything it can to trace and bring back the more than 200 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram. In the face of frequent raids by the militant group, the government must do more to secure all citizens
The New Alliance is likely to exacerbate hunger and poverty through shifting control of the food system away from small-scale farmers and local communities into the hands of big business that will likely invest in lucrative projects such as exporting cash crops
Along with husband Robert F. Williams they led a campaign for self-defense that shaped the 1960s
Thirty years ago, on 26 March 1984, President Ahmed Sékou Touré lay dying. Everybody could agree on one thing and that is that he was a great patriot, a great African and Panafricanist. He was never known to have had castles in Spain, bank accounts in London, Paris, Washington, nor shares in the Tokyo stock exchange. On the controversial issues concerning administrative power, in the context of the cold war and the struggle for the liberation of Africa, (think for instance of “Operation Carlota” and of the assassination of Amilcar Cabral), the debate will rage on for a long time to come. All the prosecutors and all the defence attorneys will have the right to be heard. For this 30th anniversary of his death however, this poem is dedicated to him.
The rice farmers of Mwea in central Kenya have lived under oppression since the colonial days when an irrigation scheme was established in the area. Successive governments have ignored their plight. But the people refuse to give up their quest for justice
Ethiopia’s dam project has evoked strong rejection by Egypt, which fears for her water-related benefits arising from skewed colonial-era treaties on sharing of the River Nile. However, considering the legal, historical, economical and environmental issues, Egypt’s opposition to the dam is baseless. To avoid water wars, Nile riparian countries need to agree afresh on fair water sharing
Zimbabwe celebrates thirty four years of independence this year. It is also a time to begin the third Chimurenga (struggle) to advance the ongoing land reform in the country
The ANC government believes the good narrative of what it has done since taking office is being maligned to unseat the ANC. Goldmans Sachs has also presented a positive review of South Africa’s performance despite its recognition of deep-seated structural inequalities
The year 2014 in South Africa marks 100 years since John Dube, Sol Plaatje and three other leaders of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC) presented a petition to King George V of England. They were protesting against the colonial land dispossession of the African people of this country which created massive poverty.
Despite claims that Africa is experiencing one of the highest growth rates in the world, growing class divisions and higher consumer prices are having disproportionate impacts on working people and the poor. Under socialism, the wealth generated by African resources and trade would be primarily re-invested in the society
This fictional account of the kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls by Boko Haram terrorist group brings out the intense trauma of the experience. It is appalling that, faced with frequent attacks by the terrorists, Nigerian authorities have done little to protect especially vulnerable citizens
The ANC will likely win with a landslide once again in the elections held this week, as the country marks two decades of the end of apartheid. But the ruling party’s ‘very good story’ is in reality a tall tale of tokenism
What sense does democracy make for Africa? Has it served the needs of the people? Africa should nurture home-grown democracy from the grassroots, an alternative to governance in partnership with capitalism, whether Western or Eastern.
President Kagame's regime is at its weakest since 1994, with little legitimacy among Rwandans and increasingly isolated abroad. This is the time to mobilise and organize to end the suffering of Rwandans. But the people must overcome their seven deadly demons
The May 2014 issue of the Fahamu Refugee Legal Aid Newsletter is now available: Please help us distribute it, and consider contributing in the future. You can also like our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter!
Pambazuka News 676: Inept rulers, images of women and Black heroes
Pambazuka News 676: Inept rulers, images of women and Black heroes
Much has been written on the subject of Africa’s economic engagement with China. There are those who can be characterized as Sino-optimists versus the Sino-pessimists with the Sino-pragmatists in between. But is it really the case that if one is leftist, one is also likely to be a Sino-optimist?
Whilst there has been a rebasing of the Nigerian economy, there are those that hope that it will inspire further Foreign Direct Investment. Yet, rebasing is useless if it fails to provide jobs in what is said to be a growing Nigerian economy
Nigeria’s national conference should address the question of a genuine respect for cultural and ethnic diversity, for if a nation can unite as one family in support of football teams, they can surely unite for the achievement of other national objectives?
The Zambian government needs to heed the paradigm of a smaller and more efficient government, eliminate waste, corruption and ensure effective use of material and human resources. Strategies to implement this are necessary as well as assistance from the international community
Hubert H. Harrison (1883-1927) is one of the truly important figures of twentieth-century history. A brilliant writer, orator, educator, critic, and political activist, he was described by the historian Joel A. Rogers, in World’s Great Men of Color as “the foremost Afro-American intellect of his time.”
Nigeria’s ‘rebased’ GDP now beats South Africa’s in theory – but how does this measure up against the country’s actual wealth? Patrick Bond examines some of the biggest fallacies of the neoliberal investment prospects of the 2000s - BRICS, MINT and CIVETS, and why citizens are rising up in spite of the hype.
Most commentary on Uganda’s Anti-homosexuality Act has been narrowly focused on its unjust implications for sexual minorities in the country. In order to fully understand what the act means for Uganda, it needs to be analysed alongside two other new pieces of legislation and read with relation to the volatile political context.
A Briton has promised to return a looted bronze artifact he inherited from his great-grandfather to Benin. Thousands of such bronzes are held illegally in a number of Western museums. They should be returned to their rightful owners.
Samling Global and Atlantic Resources Limited ignore Presidential decree, continue illegal logging, and fail to pay fees owed to forest communities
The new film looks at a range of themes and through a variety of formats examines its central question of what beauty is for the African woman
The new film on the Mozambican leader, Samora Machel, shows a dynamic figure who rose from nurse, guerrilla fighter, military commander to president of a nation that was assailed by many enemies. He is to be remembered for his achievements and desire for peace, justice, democracy and equality for all Mozambicans