6 April 2013 — Pambazuka News

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Pambazuka News (English edition): ISSN 1753-6839

CONTENTS: 1. Features, 2. Announcements, 3. Comment & analysis, 4. Advocacy & campaigns, 5. Jobs

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1 Features

CHINUA ACHEBE: A NON-ROMANTIC VIEW
Ibrahim Bello-Kano

Achebe was certainly a great writer. But not all his works are
masterpieces; and the idea that he is the ‘father of African fiction’ is
romantic and naive.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/86856
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CHINUA ACHEBE AS A MORAL STANDARD
Osita Ebiem

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.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/86861
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ACHEBE OPENED THE DOOR FOR US
Cameron Duodu

As a successful author and editor of the influential and prestigious
Heinemann Educational Books African Writers’ Series, Chinua Achebe opened
the door to many African writers
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/86857
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‘THINGS FALL APART’ AND THE CASE AGAINST IMPERIALISM
Sankara Kamara

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
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/86863
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THE FEAR OF ‘THINGS FALL APART’
Chika Ezeanya

Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart’ brought us face to face with our own story for
the first time ever in the history of modern writing. It barely scratched
the surface, but it opened the doors in the hearts of many other African
writers to start telling their stories.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/86862
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EXPERIENCES FROM BELOW
Organized grassroots movements and Kenyan elections
Gacheke Gachihi

Should social movements take part in national elections they are unlikely
to win due to the fierce competition, shameless manipulation of voters by
clever politicians and the heavy finances required? Patrick Schukalla
sought the views of a Kenyan social justice activist
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/86855
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MATERNAL HEALTH: NO DOCTOR ON SITE
Sokari Ekine

Contrary to some media reports, Haiti is far from being on the road to
recovery. The situation of women’s access to healthcare is particularly
terrifying
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/86858
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2 Announcements

APRIL 2013 ISSUE OF THE FAHAMU REFUGEE LEGAL AID NEWSLETTER

The April 2013 issue of the Fahamu Refugee Legal Aid Newsletter is now
available: http://frlan.tumblr.com Please help us distribute it, and
consider contributing in the future. You can also like our Facebook page,
and follow us on Twitter!
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/Announce/86874
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3 Comment & analysis

A TRIBUTE TO CHINUA ACHEBE
Motsoko Pheko

‘The lasting and befitting honour that the Lions and the Lionesses of
Africa can bestow on Chinua Achebe is to write their own history’
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/86859
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ACHEBE BROUGHT ANTI-COLONIAL AFRICAN LITERATURE TO THE WORLD
His novels and essays revealed the impact of the West on culture and society
Abayomi Azikiwe

Achebe will be remembered for his literary contributions and his fierce
criticism of colonial and post-colonial African society. His books will
remain a mainstay of libraries and classrooms for many generations to come.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/86860
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NEITHER ENEMY NOR FRIEND OF THE SUPREME COURT
An open letter to Kenyan Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga
Gideon Wafula

On March 9, the Supreme Court of Kenya upheld the contested victory of
Uhuru Kenyatta as president of Kenya and William Ruto as his deputy,
without giving any reasons. The full ruling is expected in the coming days.
Here is the reaction of one citizen
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/86872
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4 Advocacy & campaigns

BASHIR APRIL LIE: DOZENS REMAIN IN DETENTION
Arry Organisation

Many prisoners, including women and children, are still held in custody
most of them without charge.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/86854
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DEPLOYMENT OF LEONEAN TROOPS TO SOMALIA IMPERIALIST
Pan-Afrikan Community Movement

The Sierra Leonean army will be doing the biding of America’s proxy-war in
Africa as mercenaries. This is a case of Africans paid to kill other
Africans.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/86875
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KENYA: NOW CIVIL SOCIETY TARGETED IN HATE CAMPAIGN

Civil society organisations working in Africa call to end intimidations and
hate campaigns against civil society organisations in Kenya
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/86853
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5 Jobs

JOB ADVERT: HEAD – HORN OF AFRICA, SAFER WORLD
Based in Nairobi

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.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/jobs/86873
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End of Pambazuka-news Digest, Vol 260, Issue 1