Pambazuka News 410: Lessons from Zimbabwe; debates on Obama, Africom, and the food crisis

Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) became aware of the abduction of our sister Jestina Mukoko on Wednesday from her home in Norton. We are advised that 15 armed men took her away in her nightdress whilst her teenage son looked on helplessly.

We firmly believe that these were state agents and wish to say that we hold Robert Mugabe and his party that is still illegally ruling accountable for this abduction. We demand her immediate and unconditional release.

We call on all solidarity ...read more

The Mumbai terror attacks have dominated the news headlines last week. China’s top brass still remain cautious about the country’s economic future. The Summit in Beijing has definitely sparked an interest among other emerging powers. Meanwhile, the African Union has also expressed concern that the slowdown in China may affect the continent’s strategic relationship with Beijing. At the same time, China appears to be increasing its competitive advantage for mining deals, and South Africa seems ...read more

Exclusive literary auction to help women worldwide

On behalf of WOMANKIND, Pambazuka News would like to promote a new short story entitled Grab Pots and Pans and Spoons and Make a Noise, which you can bid for at

Written exclusively for WOMANKIND by Jackie Kay, Ali Smith, and Jeanette Winterson, signed and unsigned copies of Grab Pots and Pans and Spoons and Make a Noise which was are available now on WOMANKIND's website!

The book, which was beautifully designed by Sarah ...read more

Africa's first communications satellite has suffered an energy failure just 18 months after its launch. The solar panels have malfunctioned on the Chinese-manufactured satellite, according to Alhassan Zaku, Nigeria's minister of state for science and technology.

A new law that, if passed, will allow the Kenyan government to determine the content, style, manner and schedule of broadcasting, has drawn fierce resistance from the media industry. The Kenya Communications Amendment Bill 2008, which is now in its final stages of the legislative process in Kenya's Parliament, proposes to set up a communications commission appointed by the government to issue licences to broadcasters and a raft of heavy fines and prison sentences for various offences.

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