19 August 2011 — Pambazuka News

The authoritative electronic weekly newsletter and platform for social justice in Africa

Pambazuka News (English edition): ISSN 1753-6839

CONTENTS: 1. Features, 2. Announcements, 3. Comment & analysis, 4. Advocacy & campaigns, 5. Books & arts, 6. Highlights French edition, 7. Cartoons

Dear Readers

Pambazuka News is taking a break after this issue (#545) to recuperate and gather strength for the next period. We return the week beginning 5 September. Issue 546 will be published on 8 September 2011. To help you survive our absence, we’ve put together a bumper issue of Pambazuka News.

You can continue sending articles to editor@pambazuka.org.

Thanks to you all for your continued support.

Editors

1 Features

THE FUTURE OF ARAB REVOLTS
Interview with Samir Amin In this article from MRZine ( http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2011/amin110811.html ) Hassane Zerrouky interviews Egyptian scholar and researcher Samir Amin. The way Amin sees it, nothing will be the same as before in the Arab world: protest movements will challenge both the internal social order of Arab countries and their places in the regional and global political chessboard. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75771

THE AGONY OF OGONI
Nnimmo Bassey A recent report on the pollution of Ogoniland prepared by United Nations Environment Programme marks ‘the first official confirmation’ that there is ‘a major tragedy on our hands’, writes Nnimmo Bassey. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75777

SOMALIA: GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR AND THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
Horace Campbell The US government’s counterterrorism activities and ‘humanitarian’ assistance in Somalia and the Horn of Africa go a long way towards explaining the region’s entrenched problems, writes Horace Campbell. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75805

IS THE IMF OBSTRUCTING KENYA’S DEVOLUTION PROCESS’
Charles Abugre ‘If a government based on devolution and the dispersal of power is to be given a chance, the IMF’s role in political horse-trading in Kenya should be curtailed,’ argues Charles Abugre. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75803

BREAKING NEWS: LGBT HAS HIT SUDAN
Part one of a two-part series Ghareeb Concerned by the entrenched homophobia (along with severe prejudice towards LGBT people in general) within Sudanese society, Ghareeb considers what explains the persistence of extreme intolerance. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75747

CORPORATIONS, CRIME, CORRUPTION AND CAPITAL FLIGHT
Part 2 Charles Abugre Tax avoidance, not developing country corruption, is the biggest source of illicit capital flight, writes Charles Abugre in Part 2 of a four-part series of articles on the flow of ‘dirty money’. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75800

TNCS, TRANSFER PRICING AND TAX AVOIDANCE Part 3
Charles Abugre How do multinationals and unethical companies conceal and move capital abroad’ Mostly through manipulating import and export prices, writes Charles Abugre in Part 3 of a four-part series on the flow of ‘dirty money’. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75801

FIGHTING ILLICIT CAPITAL FLIGHT Part 4
Charles Abugre The illicit extraction, concealment and channelling of capital from poor countries abroad destroys societies and must be curtailed. So how do we do this, asks Charles Abugre in the final article in a four-part series on the flow of ‘dirty money’. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75802

SOMALIA’S UNHOLY ALLIANCE: MEDIA, DONORS AND AID AGENCIES
Rasna Warah Behind slick aid agency publicity campaigns designed to raise funds for famine in East Africa lies an aid industry that is complicit in corruption and the promotion of unaccountable government. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75768

THE PROBLEM OF ME: WHO AM I’
Yash Tandon Yash Tandon draws on the recent massacres in Norway to examine the polarising of identities, which he describes as ‘the most dangerous cancer of our times’. ‘Why and how do all these multiple identities get reduced to two nominal but highly dangerous polarised identities – “them” and “us”; the “insiders” and the “outsiders”; the “included and the excluded”‘ In whose interest are these binary identities created, and by who” http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75773

THE PROBLEM WITH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Lewis R. Gordon Despite accompanying debates about supposed non-white mediocrity, resistance to affirmative action is not about maintaining standards but rather about maintaining ‘white mediocrity’, argues Lewis R. Gordon. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75787

MY TIME IN HACKNEY: IMPLICATIONS FOR YOUTH
Patricia Daley In the wake of London’s riots, Patricia Daley reflects on her teenage years growing up in Hackney, the long-term challenges presented by the riots and the hypocrisy behind elite pontificating in response: ‘How can we teach our children to respect human lives, property and their communities, if those with power do not set an example” http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75743

RIOTS, ROYAL WEDDINGS AND RECESSION
Lara Pawson In their highly misguided and at times absurd responses to the UK’s recent rioting, we may well ask if Britain’s elites ‘are living in a time warp’, writes Lara Pawson. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75798

LETTER TO CAMERON: LEAD, DON’T DEMONISE
Gus John Gus John urges UK Prime Minister David Cameron to ‘lead’ one nation and not demonise and expose the African heritage community to racists and fascists in the wake of the recent violent civil unrest. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75804

CONTINUING TO STRUGGLE RATHER THAN CELEBRATING FREEDOM
Reverend Mavuso Mbhekeseni South Africa’s revolutionary radicals recalcitrant in their reflective refusal to revere ‘freedom days’ are dubbed as reactionaries by the ‘democratic state’, writes Reverend Mavuso Mbhekeseni. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75745

NORWAY’S TERROR, THE WORLD’S PROBLEM
Gerald Caplan Following Norway’s terrorist atrocity, Gerald Caplan underlines the egregious double standards around discussing terrorism. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75746

SOUTH AFRICAN FOOD SOVEREIGNTY CAMPAIGNERS MOVE TO OCCUPY LAND
Ronald Wesso Ronald Wesso reports on the Food Sovereignty Campaign in South Africa, which is taking steps towards agrarian reform and food sovereignty through land occupations. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75772

THE AFRICA STATE, GENOCIDE AND THE EXIGENCY OF AFRICOM
Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe outlines the origins of what he terms the genocide-state in Africa, going back to the Igbo genocide of 1966 to describe the character of modern-day states. There should be a total arms ban on these states to advance the quest of people across Africa to construct democratic states. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75770

RISKY BETTING ON A BIG GAMBLER IN ALGERIA
Lakhdar Ghettas Is the UK making ‘the same blunder’ in Algeria that France did in Tunisia, asks Lakhdar Ghettas. The British government should strengthen its relationship with the Algerian people, rather than doing business with a regime engaged in ‘fake reform measures’, Ghettas argues. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75776

ANOTHER VICIOUS ATTACK ON CSOS IN AFRICA
Who is next’ Africa CSO Platform for Principled Partnership The attack on civil society across Africa ‘is now increasingly becoming bolder, broader and more dangerous. And it is going beyond governments to include regional bodies such as SADC,’ warns Paul Okumu, in a call for all CSOs both in the North and South to ‘strengthen and support the solidarity effort as a matter of urgency’. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/75791

2 Announcements

PAMBAZUKA PRESS BOOKS AT BARGAIN PRICES Pambazuka Press titles are now available at bargain prices ‘ get your copies from our website ( http://www.fahamubooks.org ) .

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Ending Aid Dependence ( http://fahamubooks.org/book/’GCOI=90638100770030 ) $8 (RRP $16.95) / ‘5 (RRP ‘9.95)

Speaking Truth to Power ( http://fahamubooks.org/book/’GCOI=90638100350930 ) $8 (RRP $24.95) / ‘5 (RRP ‘14.95)

Reclaiming African History ( http://fahamubooks.org/book/’GCOI=90638100162020 ) $15 (RRP $20.95) / ‘9 (RRP ‘12.95)

My Dream is to be Bold ( http://fahamubooks.org/book/’GCOI=90638100257140 ) $19 (RRP $27.95) / ’12 (RRP ‘16.95)

Where is Uhuru’ ( http://fahamubooks.org/book/’GCOI=90638100052770 ) $19 (RRP $27.95) / ’12 (RRP ‘16.95)

SMS Uprising ( http://fahamubooks.org/book/’GCOI=90638100577370 ) $13 (RRP $20.95) / ‘8 (RRP ‘12.95)

African Voices ( http://fahamubooks.org/book/’GCOI=90638100741880 ) $6 (RRP $28.95) / ‘4 (RRP ‘17.95)

Experiments with Peace ( http://fahamubooks.org/book/’GCOI=90638100065280 ) $19 (RRP $32.95) / ’12 (RRP ‘19.95)

3 Comment & analysis

CRY! THE BELOVED NORWAY
Norah Owaraga The media’s response to Norway’s recent terrorist atrocity have revealed anti-immigrant, racist and xenophobic attitudes among ‘conservative sections the world over’, writes Norah Owaraga. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/75780

THINKING AND LIVING FANON
Chantelle Malan and Danielle Bowler One of ‘the most important aspects of Frantz Fanon’s legacy for the youth of South Africa is to take seriously his call for real engagement, at the point where thought meets action’, observe Chantelle Malan and Danielle Bowler, following a Rhodes University colloquium to mark the 50th anniversary of Fanon’s death. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/75775

WORKING YOUTH OF BRITAIN: LOOK SOUTH AND LEARN
Nimi Hoffmann Young working class Britons’ failure to act collectively will inadvertently punish them, since this renders them unable to articulate their concerns publicly and fight against the root causes of their dispossession, argues Nimi Hoffmann. They should look to the global South, which offers lessons in how to build sustained, focused collective action. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/75781

4 Advocacy & campaigns

AFRICA MUST ACT FOR AFRICANS IN THE HORN OF AFRICA FEMNET
Once again, millions of African citizens face famine and the destruction of their livelihoods. At this moment, 12 million men, women and children are in dire need of food, clean water and basic sanitation. The crisis is set to worsen and expand over the coming months. This suffering flies in the face of commitments made in continental, regional and national policy frameworks and human rights conventions. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/75741

GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION TO FREE MAXWELL DLAMINI IN SWAZILAND
Freeing all political prisoners in Swaziland We call upon all students, student bodies, human rights groups and all concerned organisations and individuals to lobby for the urgent and unconditional release of Maxwell Dlamini (President of the Swaziland National Union of Students) and all political prisoners. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/75742

UGANDA: HATE NO MORE CAMPAIGN 2011
Over the years, we have been harassed, cajoled, insulted, discriminated against and referred to as beasts called inhuman, insane, sick, immoral and not upright thinking members of society. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/75778

SHOW US THE AUDIT ON OUR HOUSES, MINISTER SEXWALE!
R2K and AEC Western Cape Statement South Africa’s Right to Know Campaign and Anti Eviction Campaign are demanding access to a government audit of a controversial Cape Town housing company. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/75774

HOW LONDON’S AFRICA CENTRE CAN BE SAVED, REVEALED
Save The Africa Centre Campaign Six week’s ago the trustees of the Africa Centre gave Hadeel Ibrahim, Chief Executive of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and world renowned architect, David Adjaye, six weeks to raise funds, provide a redevelopment scheme, a sustainable business plan and funding. Today the business plan and ‘3.6 million of funding has been delivered, writes Dele Fatunla. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/75782

5 Books & arts

LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND ICTS IN AFRICA
Mammo Muchie Information and communication technology has ‘opened a new e-governance space’ that ‘has huge potential for improving opportunities for the participation of citizens in local and central government structures,’ writes Mammo Muchie. ‘Local Governance and ICTs in Africa’, launched by Pambazuka Press this month, offers a useful starting point for those interested in how these technologies ‘can be used to change the governance architecture in Africa’. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/75779

TULA WILL DECOLONISE CURA’AO’S CINEMATOGRAPHY
Jermain Ostiana Jermain Ostiana argues that bringing Cura’aoan abolitionist leader Tula to the silver screen should be done by local producers, not the world’s mainstream film industry. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/75739

6 Highlights French edition

PAMBAZUKA NEWS 202: SENEGAL’S POLITICAL CRISIS AND THREATS TO DEMOCRACY
Senegal: The Balkanisation of the rule of law, justice under threat and the republic in danger Aboubacry Mbodji

Senegal’s political crisis is the result of several factors linked to the derailment of the principles of the rule of law that require the separation and independence of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the state, the equality of all citizens before law and the respect of the sovereignty of the people. Ten years of political alternation have led to a ‘patrimonialisation’ of power and the concentration of power in a single family, which according to Aboubacry Mbodji ‘is a serious danger to the republic’. This is the real meaning of the revolts taking place in the country.

http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/75678

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Can the independence of South Sudan inspire anglophone Cameroon’ Patrice Nganang

The independence of South Sudan on 9 July this year marked the birth of the 54th African nation. This also marks the second time, after Eritrea, that the principle of the inviolability of colonial borders has been flouted, a precedent that according to Patrice Nganang could be applied to anglophone Cameroon.

http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/75680

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Aid for Somalia: The Africa we dream of Jean-Baptiste Placca

At their summit in Addis Ababa in July 2011, African Union heads of state called for a general mobilisation to help the estimated 12 million people threatened by famine in the Horn of Africa. This African mobilisation, says Jean Baptiste Placca, is a sign of hope.

http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/75679

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Why is emergency aid insufficient’ Renaud Duterme

If charity were enough to abolish misery and exploitation, says Renaud Duterme, we would be living in an idyllic world. The crisis in Somalia, he argues, shows yet again that the concepts of solidarity practised by development organisations are the wrong solutions.

http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/75684

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Morocco: The mood of the people living in rural and mountainous areas Omar Aziki

Well before the protest movements that have swept Morocco since February, there were protests in several rural regions of the country throughout the years of 2008, 2009 and 2010. The latest developments show that lessons have been learned from the struggles of marginalised rural people. Omar Aziki underlines the great capacity of resistance, shown especially by the women, and this despite the simplicity of their demands.

http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/75683

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Normalisation and its effects on producers in the global South

Normalisation is increasingly visible in international commercial transactions whose complexity constitutes an obstacle in the access to European markets by countries in the global South. The solution proposed by the organisation ‘Engineers without frontiers’ is to rethink the way these norms are conceived with the active involvement of southern countries.

http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/75681

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South Africa: Nuclear energy will be our ruin Glenn Ashton

The technocrats are calling the shots and nuclear energy is once again on the table in South Africa. How was the 2008 moratorium put into question’ How has nuclear energy, hitherto considered too expensive, suddenly become affordable’ A story with many twists.

http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/75685

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7 Cartoons

LONDON’S BURNING… Gado Kenya to the rescue’ http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/75784

OBAMA IN 2008, OBAMA TODAY Gado From the man who walked on water… http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/75785

THE US, POOR COUNTRIES AND THE FINANCIAL CRISIS Gado The end of the world is nigh! http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/75786

Fahamu – Networks For Social Justice http://www.fahamu.org

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End of Pambazuka-news Digest, Vol 189, Issue 2