In Copenhagen, donor countries pledged to raise US$30 billion in “fast start funds” and an additional US$100 billion a year by 2020 to invest in reducing emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change. Though the commitments are clear, the delivery is uncertain. By the June UNFCCC meetings in Bonn, countries will need to start drafting a set of decisions on the financial architecture to manage and distribute these climate funds.

Eight of Africa’s best known musicians are calling for commitment to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in a song, video and advocacy campaign that was launched today. It will be featured before, during and after the World Cup 2010, the first one to be hosted in Africa, the continent least likely to achieve the MDGs. 8 Goals for Africa features Yvonne Chaka Chaka from South Africa, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angelique Kidjo from Benin, Oliver Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe, Eric Wainaina from Kenya, Baaba Maal from Senegal, and the Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa.

Pan Africa ILGA join all our global human rights organizations and especially the Malawian organization the Center for the Development of People (CEDEP) in condemning the conviction and harsh sentencing of 14 years imprisonment with hard labour by a Magistrate Court in Blantyre, Malawi of Tiwonge ("Tionge") Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza for "unnatural offences" and "indecent practices between males" under Sections 153 and 156 of the Malawi Penal Code

Press freedom is still in danger in Africa despite 20 years of democratisation. Independent journalism continues to be a perilous profession on the continent, both in the peaceful arena as well as in conflict zones. This according to the 2009 Africa Press Freedom Report.

The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), the regional organization of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in Africa, have launched the report of its solidarity mission to the Cameroon on the attacks on journalists and the press freedom situation, which took place from 3rd to 6th May. The report entitled “JOURNALISTS UNDER FIRE: Report of Solidarity Mission to Cameroon” describes the climate of antagonism and suspicion between media and the government, resulting in increasing attacks on journalists, including harassment, intimidation and trials as well the poor working condition in which Cameroonian journalists work and live.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) begins a three-day visit to Guinea today to consult with judicial authorities and seek an update on local investigations into last year’s bloody suppression by the military of opposition protests in which 156 civilians were killed. The mission follows a trip to Guinea in February by the ICC’s deputy prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, four months after the prosecutor’s office made public its preliminary examination in Guinea, as the international community demanded accountability either through ICC or Guinean judicial proceedings following the September 2009 massacre and brutal assault against civilians.

A $780 million power line commence by close of 2011 linking Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. According to a senior Zambian government official Israel Phiri the project would be operational 2015. About 1,447 kilometres long, the high voltage transmission line will start at Serenje in the south of Zambia, snake along to Mbeya and Arusha in Tanzania before landing in Kenya's capital Nairobi, Reuters reported.

Morocco has expelled foreign Christians who tried to convert Muslims because, as a moderate Islamic state, it wants to foster "order and calm" and avoid a clash between faiths, its Islamic affairs minister said. The government has expelled around 100 foreign Christians since March, many of them aid workers, in what Western diplomats have called an unprecedented crackdown on undercover preaching.

The majority of men who have sex with men in southern Africa are bisexual, and a significant proportion have concurrent sexual relationships with both men and women, investigators report in the online edition of Sexually Transmitted Infections. The investigators suggest that this finding should occasion a rethinking of the factors driving the HIV epidemic in the region. However, they were encouraged that men in concurrent relationships with men and women (which the investigators term bisexual concurrency) reported high levels of condom use.

The global economic crisis highlighted the necessity of transforming global economic governance. But least developed countries (LDCs) have little voice in this process. It is time they are allowed a seat at the meetings of the Group of 20 industrialised and emerging economies. "LDCs face a double challenge: they have to absorb the impact of the economic and financial crisis, but in the resolution of the crisis itself they have a very marginal role to play," stated Debapriya Bhattacharya, special advisor on LDCs at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

"In 2001 in Abuja, African heads of state promised us 15% of budget spending on health - where is this money? ... Only two countries in the continent have met the Abuja target, which African finance ministers recently dismissed as a colossal mistake. the true colossal mistakes are the wasteful spending habits of many governments who prioritise wars, luxury for politicians and sports over social spending, which cost thousands of lives every day".- James Kamau, Kenyan Treatment Access Movement

Mxit is a massive mobile social network that was started in South Africa a couple years ago. Today, Safaricom announced a partnership with them, using their marketing muscle (7 pages of ads in today’s newspaper) to import Mxit into Kenya.

Media organisations are furious over a US$ 3 million personal donation by Equatoguinean dictator Teodoro Obiang Nguema to the UN culture agency UNESCO. The donation is to co-finance a press freedom award. Equatorial Guinea is among the worst countries in the world regarding human rights and press freedom. No independent media exist and all media outlets are controlled by the state or family members of President Obiang.

IRIN is pleased to announce the launch of its new series of short films illustrating the challenges that children face living in the cities of the developing world. The first two chapters of our "Kids in the City" series look at South Africa's rape crisis - where as many as 40 percent of rape victims are under 18 - and the hundreds of Sierra Leonean children who work breaking rocks for the construction industry to pay for their school fees

Health authorities are on alert as Lassa fever has now claimed 17 lives and infected dozens of people in northwestern Nigeria's Kebbi State, according to state health officials. The last outbreak of the deadly disease took place in February 2010, killing seven people, including four doctors at the National Hospital in Abuja. In March 2009 over 300 people were infected in 14 states across the country.

Since the civil war ended in 2003, the combination of returning refugees, population growth, and ongoing land tenure tensions dating back 25 years has led to at least 250 land dispute deaths in Liberia, according to NGOs. Leading reformists are worried the right mechanisms to address land rights are still not in place. The latest significant clashes over land took place in 2008 on the border between Grand Bassa and Margibi counties in which 15 people were killed. Since then people have continued to be killed in smaller-scale disputes.

“Bee-ba-ta a un bébé!” Seated on plastic mats, their sandals and book bags on the ground nearby, children follow text with chalk-dusted fingers as they practice reading. Months ago these children spent most of their time begging in the streets of the Burkina Faso capital Ouagadougou. With help from local university student volunteers and support from the NGO Terre des hommes (Tdh), the children - part of Burkina’s Malian Tuareg community - now spend their days in the classroom.

Diagnosing HIV early and starting antiretroviral (ARV) treatment could be the most important weapons in the battle against HIV-associated tuberculosis, but this would need a huge injection of resources in southern Africa, where the dual epidemics of TB and HIV claim the most lives. The authors of a paper, part of a series on TB in the British medical journal, The Lancet, note that the disease accounted for more than a quarter of the two million deaths attributed to AIDS-related diseases in 2008, and is the number one cause of illness and death in people living with HIV in Africa, yet efforts to contain TB-HIV co-infection have been "timid, slow and uncoordinated".

In this weeks roundup of emerging actors in Africa news, India, Brazil and South Africa lead effort against Child Labor, Controversial Sudanese dam sparks human rights complaint, South Africa's FirstRand completes African deals with China Construction Bank, and the World Cup pulls Indians to South Africa.

In 1986, over 100,000 Southern Sudanese in Magwi County fled to Uganda to take up refuge. They were settled in camps in northern Uganda, notably in Achol-pii, Adjumani, Kiryandongo and later in other camps. Following the signing of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the SPLA/M and the Government in Khartoum in 2005, thousands of these refugees were repatriated with the help of the UNHCR to their original homes in Southern Sudan. In Magwi County, these homes are: Agoro, Omeo, Magwi, Obbo, Palwar, Lobone, Pajok and Panyikwara. According to the recent Sudanese census, there are 170,000 persons in Magwi County.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (the Forum) joins the rest of the African continent in commemorating the 47th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of Africa Unity (OAU). The OAU was established on May 25, 1963. In 2002, the OAU became the African Union (AU). This is the day when the continent should be celebrating unity and the long held objectives of self-determination, rule of law and democracy. Regrettably, these principles remain remote and “alien” to the realities of African people as they are violated with impunity in the majority of our countries.

As mobile and web technologies become increasingly accessible to those living in remote poverty around the world, the potential to expand access to health care to underserved populations becomes ever more real. It’s exciting to see the many ways that innovative people and organizations are able to take advantage of the spread of technology to make positive social change. Ushahidi, an open-source platform that can be used by anyone to collect and visualize user-generated information, is an excellent example. They’re using mobile and web technology – including social media platforms like Twitter – to capture critical up-to-date reports from individuals in crisis areas through crowd-sourcing and filtering

The FMSP is an independent, interdisciplinary and internationally engaged Africa-based centre of excellence for research and teaching that shapes global discourse on human mobility, development and social transformation.

The Centre for Citizens’ Participation on the African Union (CCP-AU) seeks an Executive Director to provide strategic direction as well as operational and administrative oversight to the organisation. Based in Kenya (with potential relocation of the position to Addis Ababa) the Executive Director will work closely with and report to the CCP-AU Board of Directors.

I should not speak nor shout;

I’m a woman

I should not talk nor ask;

I’m a woman

I should obey and not question;

I’m a woman

I should accept the little wage my master pays;

I’m a woman

I should not speak about the molestation and abuses;

I’m a woman

I should suffer the oppression and humiliation of culture;

I’m a woman

I shouldn’t own land,

I’m a woman

And so are the tears and woes;

Embattled;

Oppressed

The tribe less; colorless; cries

Of;

Woman!

The first anniversary celebration of the life and legacy of Dr Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, pan-African friend, comrade, brother and inspiration to so many, is to be held in London on:

Date: Saturday 22 May 2010
Venue: Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre,
17 – 25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA
Time: 1pm - 6pm

The celebration is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.

The celebration is jointly organised, in the spirit of Pan-Africanism, by friends of Tajudeen, including his widow Mounira Chaieb, Justice Africa, the Centre for Democracy and Development, the Pan African Development Education and Advocacy Programme, the Royal African Society and Pambazuka News.

The day will comprise speeches on the life and works of Tajudeen, the launch of a book of the compilation of Tajudeen’s postcards entitled , performance poetry and traditional African music and the launch of the Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem Educational Trust.

We welcome all other organisations, groups and persons who wish to join our efforts to honour and continue the work of Tajudeen.

'Forward ever, backward never' Kwame Nkrumah (1909–72)
'Don't agonise, organise!' Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem (1961–2009)

In the wake of disturbing homophobic statements from certain US Christian groups in support of anti-gay legislation in Uganda and beyond, the Pocono Record comments on the work of faith leaders in the US to counter the animosity.

With the Merowe dam project in northern Sudan having caused the displacement of many thousands of people, Peter Bosshard writes on efforts to bring German company Lahmeyer International to justice.

Nancy Muigei’s ‘very touching poem’ drew record numbers of comments from readers of last week’s issue of Pambazuka News. We share a selection of their responses.

Biofuels policies and the 2008 financial and food crisis ignited a worldwide 'land rush' that is increasing world hunger without addressing the underlying long-term threats to world food security, writes Mae-Wan Ho.

African grandmothers have called for financial security, respect for their rights and increased resources to raise grandchildren orphaned by AIDS, following a historic gathering in Manzini, Swaziland. Describing themselves as the backbones of their communities, the women declared, ‘Africa cannot survive without us.’ Across sub-Saharan Africa, grandmothers now form the core of family and community-based care, raising a generation of children orphaned by AIDS.

Sudan has emerged as a crucial foothold for China in its resource sourcing, writes Khadija Sharife. The political uncertainty surrounding the potential secession of the South has not deterred this economic giant from its quest for oil, but how will it feature in the complex arena of Sudanese politics?

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Africa Division
Deadline for applications: May 31, 2010

Human Rights Watch ("HRW") is seeking a highly-qualified, senior-level professional to head its Africa Division.
Description: The Executive Director of Human Rights Watch’s Africa Division is responsible for developing effective research, advocacy and communications strategies for maximum impact on human rights in sub-Saharan Africa. S/he is responsible for setting priorities and responding to emergencies. S/he oversees detailed research on human rights issues in sub-Saharan Africa, the publication of analytical and credible reports and other advocacy materials on those issues, and the use of these materials to generate domestic and international pressure to curb human rights violations. S/he represents the organization frequently before the international media and advocates with high-level officials from governments, UN, AU and other international and regional organizations. S/he coordinates with key colleagues, both within HRW and externally with allied organizations and NGOs. S/he manages staff based in three continents, including offices in Nairobi and Johannesburg, supporting staff and office development and overseeing their security. The Africa Executive Director is also responsible for fundraising, identifying and recruiting donors, and drafting funding proposals. S/he has overall responsibility for projecting Human Rights Watch’s wider international concerns on the continent. The successful candidate will have excellent leadership skills and a depth and breadth of management and organizational skills, including the demonstrated ability to lead a team of talented professionals in multiple global locations. S/he will preferably be based in the organization's New York City headquarters or an office in Africa, but other locations may be considered. Frequent international travel required.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be a self-motivated, creative, strategic thinker with substantive, senior-level experience working on human rights issues in Africa and will have the capacity to serve as an effective advocate and activist. S/he will have excellent leadership, management and organizational skills, including the demonstrated ability to lead a team of talented professionals in multiple global locations. S/he will be able to juggle multiple tasks and work collegially in a demanding, diverse, and fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communications skills in English and ideally another relevant language, keen political judgment, proven initiative and follow-through, the ability to work quickly and well under pressure, and a commitment to human rights. An advanced degree in law, international relations, African studies, public policy, or a related field is desired, as is familiarity with international human rights law.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. HRW will pay reasonable relocation expenses and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY by emailing in a single submission: a letter of interest describing your experience, your resume, names or letters of reference, salary requirements and a brief writing sample (unedited by others) no later than May 31, 2010 to [email][email protected] Please be sure to indicate where you learned of this vacancy. Please use “Executive Director, Africa Division Ref 10-1021-I” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. It is preferred that all materials be submitted via email. If emailing is not possible, send materials (please do not split a submission between email and regular post) to:
Human Rights Watch

Attn: Search Committee (Executive Director, Africa Division Ref 10-1021-I)

350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor

New York, NY 10118-3299

Fax: (212) 736-1300
Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

* * *
Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.

Following a new agreement to enable China Union to mine in Liberia's central region, many Liberians are hopeful that the revitalisation of the country's mining sector will lead to new employment opportunities. This may well be the case, writes Patrick Wrokpoh, provided the Johnson-Sirleaf government shows the same willingness to pursue favourable terms that it has shown in dealing with another mining company, ArcelorMittal.

Earlier this year, Moeletsi Mbeki, brother of the former president of South Africa, was invited to speak to staff at AFRICOM, the US Africa Command, about the institution’s role in security and development issues on the continent. Riaz Tayob provides an overview of the key points in Mbeki’s speech and offers an assessment of his arguments.

From a colonial-era upbringing to coming of age in a time when newly independent Kenya was moving quickly to establish itself as a liberated nation, Sitawa Namwalie remembers an elusive vision of her identity. Central to her cultural misplacement was the submission of her maternal language to the imported and dominant English language. Namwalie discovers herself again through the work of fellow writer and cultural figure Ngugi wa Thiong’o. This Kenyan author’s choice to write in Gikuyu inspired Namwalie to reflect on the importance of carving a cultural niche with language, and on the role of choice in deciding to do it.

Contrary to the expectation of voter apathy in Kenya’s constitutional referendum in August 2010, province-wide voter registration surpassed target numbers. Yet the unexpected participation could have a dark side, writes L. Muthoni Wanyeki. The apparent truism that those in opposition are easier moved into action could help to explain the high number of registered voters. This is troubling because misinformation abounds about the proposed constitutional clauses.

The world's growing population is putting ever more strain on food production, which inevitably exacerbates the situation of the world's poor and hungry, writes Hans Herren. However, Herren insists that the world has the potential to respond to this pressing demand through measures which nurture and enhance 'the link between farming and a wide range of other development sectors'.