Achebe fought to dissipate and disabuse the numerous misconceptions that the rest of the world held about Africa and its peoples. He was an incredible truth teller and moral bearer of our time.

When Chinua Achebe showed the horrors of colonial rule in ‘Things Fall Apart,’ the narrative easily became the African story that impinged itself on our consciousness. The novel epitomized the case against imperialism

Saferworld is an international non-governmental organisation working to prevent and reduce violence conflict and promote cooperative approaches to security. We believe that everyone should be able to lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from insecurity and violent conflict. We work with governments, civil society and international organisations globally and in over 15
countries in Africa, Europe and Asia.

The BRICS are surpassing the US and the EU in terms of emissions of greenhouse gases. The Durban summit was an opportune moment to ask and answer many questions regarding the BRICS’ economic strategies and to radically reduce their levels of emissions.

It is necessary to pose what role do the BRICS as semi-peripheries play in the internationalization of production; to what extent are they anti-systemic and anti-imperialist? It is necessary to rekindle a new strategy of non-alignment by the BRICS to not only reject the military hegemony of the North, but to enable a larger degree of maneuver for national development.

BRICS states, except Russia, are enhancing and facilitating land grabs abroad in a way that is inconsistent with their proclamations of sustainable development, cooperation solidarity, and respect of national sovereignty.

The state of waste management and sanitation is catastrophic in Haiti after the earthquake. Things are likely to worsen as there are no plans for any improvements. International NGOs are leaving or scaling down – after making their money

The recent elections showed that tribe is not the main driver of politics in Kenya. But while progress has been made, the fight for democracy has yet to be won, with minority communities, women, the disabled and the Diaspora remaining largely underrepresented

‘I deplore what I regard as a growing tendency among Cameroonians to equate expression of dissent with lack of patriotism. I insist that to criticize one’s country is in itself an act of patriotism.’

Somalia is on the road to recovery after more than two decades of collapse. Now is the time for all the citizens to help the government achieve its goals by being patient and tolerant.

It was Former President Moi who spawned the winners of Kenya’s presidential election. The sycophancy and corruption of his era are still ingrained in the political culture and were embodied by the rise of his allies in this election.

The agreement signed in Addis Ababa last month enjoining states in the region in the search for lasting peace in DRC is a welcome move. But there are powerful external players who want the instability to continue.

Our Eagle on the Iroko has flown home... No, not really... Our Eagle is right here – with us. Our Eagle lives on. This has been the solemn promise made since age 28 with ‘Things Fall Apart’ and followed by the unrelenting, exemplifying rigour of the entire consummate stretch of discourses and reflections and yet more discourses during the course of 54 subsequent years that culminated in that towering testament of our age, ‘There was a Country’. Our Eagle lives on.

Focusing on the Eagle´s first discourse, a classic, Kwame Anthony Appiah, literary scholar and philosopher, has argued: ‘It would be impossible to say how ‘Things Fall Apart’ influenced African writing. It would be like asking how Shakespeare influenced English writers or Pushkin influenced Russians. Achebe didn't only play the game, he invented it’.

Chinua Achebe has indeed run a great race. Ka Chukwu anyi gozie his blessed soul and give comfort to his loving family. Odogwu Mmadu, ije oma. Our pledge at this time: Igbo will be free and we will surely bring to a halt this ongoing genocide against our people, which started on 29 May 1966, and we will transform Igboland to an advanced state and society as duly resolved in the Ahiara Declaration.

The youth describe the upcoming elections as undemocratic and meaningless because they will simply consolidate the monarch’s absolute power

The West is in decline and the world is becoming more multipolar. Emerging powers such as China, Brazil and India are clamouring for more global power. But whether they will attain this goal remains to be seen, given the odds stacked up against them.

BRICS offer some of the most extreme sites of new sub-imperialism in the world today. They lubricate world neoliberalism, hasten world eco-destruction and serve as coordinators of hinterland looting. The BRICS hegemonic project should be resisted.

The BRICS are catalysts and drivers of a multipolar world, aiming to demolish the hegemony of the West in global affairs.

Although at this early stage the BRICS partnership raises more questions than answers, engaged citizens should help shape its agenda. The bloc may well turn out to be one of the single biggest developments of our era

The debate on BRICS is polarized between pro and anti-BRICS elements represented in the South African government and left-leaning civil society activists and academics. It is uncertain South Africa’s new partners in BRIC will treat the country differently

Kenyans turned out in historic numbers to vote in the recent election. Although there was no violence as had been feared, the exercise was no evidence of a self-confident and mature society. It was dominated by deep fear and mistrust.

Various technological measures required by law to protect the integrity of Kenya’s elections failed massively in the recent polls. But the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission proceeded with tallying the result. IEBC must explain to Kenyans what happened

The statements fuel public prejudice against LGBTI individuals and contradict the very preamble of a draft constitution that the PM is seemingly promoting

The Benin Plan of Action is no plan of action and does not deal with restitution of the looted Benin bronzes. After 50 years Africans must demand a concrete time frame within which the artefacts are to be returned as a condition for participating in future meetings

This book is highly recommended to people who know nothing about Camfranglais and who wish to one day visit Cameroon. It really is a must read.

The great Bolivarian is gone – which means the U.S. will soon escalate its destabilization campaign against his country. ‘Washington hopes that Venezuelan socialism cannot survive without Chávez.’ But the U.S. cannot roll back the movement that Chávez did so much to ignite, ‘the dark awakening in the barrios, favelas, rural villages and native highlands of the continent.’

Unlike the elections of 2007, the recent elections in Kenya avoided massive bloodshed and gave victory to the Jubilee Coalition. An analysis of the significance of the elections is given and it is argued that political power cannot be monopolized by one section of the capitalist class

© A WWhen refugees turn out to vote and when they raise their voices in participatory meetings or in their homes to criticise their government, they show how much they value the possibility for democratic participation.

The University of Oxford is pleased to announce five scholarships for candidates from developing African Commonwealth countries to study for the part-time Masters in International Human Rights Law, starting September 2013.

The scholarships are jointly funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and provide course and college fees over two years, return air travel from the scholar’s home country and a stipend to cover living costs.

For further information, please visit our and choose Fees and Funding for details of the scholarships.mm
Vvvvvv
The University of Oxford is pleased to announce five scholarships for candidates from developing African Commonwealth countries to study for the part-time Masters in International Human Rights Law, starting September 2013.

The scholarships are jointly funded by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford and provide course and college fees over two years, return air travel from the scholar’s home country and a stipend to cover living costs.

For further information, please visit our and choose Fees and Funding for details of the scholarships.

Rather than continuing to operate on an exclusive basis, the LGBT movement in Uganda should strive to nurture a multivariate movement for social justice, creating a multi-normative society for their safety and the peaceful coexistence of future generations

Contrary to the claims of critics, China’s partnership with Africa is based on sincere friendship, equality and mutual respect for the sovereignty through non-interference in domestic affairs and the offer of loans and grants

The US insists on greater attention and response to the crisis in the DRC. However, it appears that the Obama administration continues to operate on the notion that ‘quiet diplomacy’ is the best way forward when it comes to holding its allies Rwanda and Uganda accountable for their role in destabilizing the country

The political economy of care centres on the unpaid work of African women in socially reproducing workers as well as caring for the sick in society. Social mobilization and policy actions to overcome the crisis of reproduction is necessary to address this unpaid work that is vital for the perpetuation of neoliberal capitalism.

Victim protection is a critical response measure, but women need to address systemic issues. They need to challenge systems that undermine their ability to participate in decision making and their control over resources

Phyllis Naidoo (January 5, 1928 - Feb 13, 2013) was an extra-ordinary South African freedom fighter for whom politics meant total commitment to humanity. After ANC came to power she was deeply disappointed by betrayal of the struggle

With a toothless official opposition, Sierra Leone seems to be slowly slipping back into a one-party state. President Koroma hasn’t locked up his critics, but he is adept at undermining democracy by cannibalizing the opposition through state-induced defections

Sobukwe was an indefatigable Pan-Africanist, theoretician and revolutionary humanist who selflessly dedicated his life to one thing only — the liberation of humanity and, in particular, the liberation of black people