15 August 2013 — Pambazuka News

PAMBAZUKA NEWS 643: ECONOMIES OF MISERY, GENETICALLY MODIFIED COLONIALISMS AND TRAYVON

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Pambazuka News (English edition): ISSN 1753-6839

 

CONTENTS: 1. Features, 2. Announcements, 3. Comment & analysis, 4. Advocacy & campaigns, 5. Obituaries, 6. Books & arts, 7. Jobs

 

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Highlights from this issue

 

Dear Esteemed Reader,

 

Pambazuka News Team takes its annual break today. You will receive the next issue on 5 September 2013.

 

THE EDITORS

 

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1 Features

 

NAMIBIA AND THE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Henning Melber

 

Namibia?s principled refusal to get bullied into an agreement against what it considered its own best interests has served as an example for other countries originally more willing to give in to the pressure exerted by EU http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88636

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THE LAGOS DEPORTATION AND THE LAW Femi Falana

 

Federal and state governments are involved in the deportation of poor people from cities to their areas of origin. This is a shameful violation of basic human rights guaranteed by the constitution http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88635

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TRAFFICKING HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AND THE ECONOMY OF MISERY Eudias Kigai

 

Trafficking syndicates operating between Kenya and Tanzania are actively involved in the trade of handicapped children http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88638

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WHAT SECOND LIFE FOR KIGALI’S STREET VENDORS? Daniel Nzohabonimana

 

Street vendors are the hallmark of sprawling African cities. In Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, life looks increasingly harsh for street vendors as the authorities seek to expand their tax base, in the face of commercial tax evasion. But who are the real culprits? http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88633

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MEASURING YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA Christine Davis

 

While Africa strives for development it has consistently neglected to prioritise communication. The AU and African governments need to make greater use of the Internet to connect with its citizens such as young people via the African Alliance http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88677

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IS THERE ANYTHING SAFE ABOUT GHANA’S BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE? Ali-Masmadi Jehu-Appiah

 

The US embassy in Accra has been heavily influencing Ghana?s Biosafety Committee. There is nothing safe in entrusting Ghana?s agriculture in the hands of a Committee that remains unknown to the public and who have vested interests in genetically modified colonialism http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88678

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WHY AFRICANS SHOULD CARE ABOUT TRAYVON MARTIN Sitinga Kachipande

 

The African media and AU have paid scant attention to the tragic murder of Travyon Martin in the US. Africans should care about the case because Trayvon could have been any one of the Black African males living in or visiting the US http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88680

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THE CHINESE YUAN AND HSBC BANK Samir Amin

 

Until now, China has resisted continuous pressure to put an end to manipulation of the Yuan. This resistance has allowed China to continuously record the strongest growth rates in the world. There is no reason whatsoever for flexible exchange to encourage foreign trade growth. So why does HSBC Bank insist on this? http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88632

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TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY AHEAD FOR BURKINA FASO Jerome Mwanda

 

The country has remained stable under long-serving President Compaore, but now elections are looming. The transition could be tricky, a new report says, and attempts to amend the constitution to enable Compaore to run again could spark a popular uprising http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88634

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GAY SOMALI REFUGEES FACE DEATH THREATS Ali Noor

 

Gay, lesbian and HIV-infected refugees fear violent persecution should they return home http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88639

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WHAT IF KENYA’S ELECTION VIOLENCE POINTS TO CORRUPT POLLSTERS? David Njagi

 

Political opinion polls are controversial in Kenya especially at election time as some of the pollsters are owned by or allied to certain politicians. But more worryingly, poll results have been mentioned in connection with in inter-communal violence http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88637

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TRACING AFRICA?S PROGRESS AND POTENTIAL Towards the post 2015 development agenda? Olivia Kokushubila Lwabukuna

 

In order to trace Africa?s progress and potential it is important to look at the issue through the eyes of various African and global leaders from business, civil society, government and economists. It is only after such intense interrogation that one can truly determine where Africa is going and how it is getting there http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88679

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BLACK CULTURE BEHIND BARS White supremacy, censorship, and resistance in an Ontario women’s jail Kelly Rose Pflug-Back

 

Experiencing racism and cultural repression while incarcerated has given poet and writer Nikicia G the inspiration to stand up, fight back, and encourage other women to do the same http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/88640

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2 Announcements MEDIA IN AFRICA: A CALL FOR ARTICLES

 

Pambazuka News is planning a special issue on the media in Africa. We are inviting our readers and contributors to celebrate as well as critique the media on the continent. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/Announce/88203

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3 Comment & analysis

 

ETHIOPIA: GOVERNMENT’S ACTS OF GENOCIDE An open letter to the US Secretary of State Imru Zelleke

 

Ethiopia is a major US ally in the Horn of Africa, yet America does not seem to be concerned about the blatant violations of human rights, lawless governance and unmitigated corruption by the regime in Addis Ababa http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/88646

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OBAMA: HANDS OFF EGYPT Akyaaba Addai-Sebo

 

Egyptians must know that the teargas, bullets, water cannons, the fighter jets, tanks, attack helicopters and all the weapons of mass intimidation being used against them by the military and police have been paid for with American tax-payers? money http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/88651

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ON ORGANIZING AGAINST POLICE VIOLENCE: MOBILIZATION IS NOT ENOUGH Ajamu Nangwaya

 

Rallying around each case of police violence and sitting down when the issue in no longer in the news will not tackle this oppressive behaviour. Here are some ideas on how to organize http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/88644

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QUESTIONS AFRICANS ARE NOT ASKING ABOUT ABIOLA?S KILLING Uchenna Osigwe

 

July marked the 15th anniversary of the death of Moshood Abiola in the presence of American diplomats and secret service agents. Lots of unanswered questions about his death remain http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/88642

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SOUTH AFRICA COMMEMORATES NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Abayomi Azikiwe

 

57 years ago women took to the streets challenging national and gender oppression. Today, South Africa requires a transformation of capitalist property relations which inherently oppress, exploit and abuse women. At the same time more women must be brought into the revolutionary movement as organizers and leaders http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/88641

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THE HARD TRUTHS WE MUST SWALLOW: RWANDA IS WREAKING HAVOC IN CONGO Alice Gatebuke

 

The government of Paul Kagame continues to relentlessly support, arm and command rebel groups such as the M23, which commit war crimes and human rights violations in Congo http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/88649

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ZIMBABWE: VICTORY BUT NO EUPHORIA Japhet M. Zwana

 

The rigging mechanism was set up long before the day of election. MDC was strategically advertised as a conspirator in league with the ‘enemy’ http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/88643

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4 Advocacy & campaigns

 

OUR MOVEMENT HAS BEEN VINDICATED Unemployed People’s Movement

 

11 August 2013

 

A democratic society is defined as a society in which the public has the means to participate in the management of their affairs, information is open and free and participation is safe for everyone.

 

Recently we had a demonstration in Ext 9 in Grahamstown demanding that the list of beneficiaries for the new RDP houses be made public and people participate in the construction of the low cost houses. To us it was clear that the ruling party is abusing the list for patronage, corruption and elections. Some councillor?s kids are on the list as well as party members and their families.

 

For this call we were demonized, delegitimized and attacked by the members of the ruling party as opportunists, fronts for other organizations, pawns of white academics and rebels with no cause.

 

On the 06 August 2013 we convened a meeting at Nombulelo High School and we requested the Mayor to speak on the list. He apologized on behalf of the council, citing the fact that the list was characterized by corruption and irregularities. The Mayor?s admission that the list has been badly corrupted has been prominently covered in Grocott?s Mail.

 

We have been vindicated and not for the first time. Our adversaries always refuse to engage with us critically. Instead they use slander, class power and at times racist remarks to attack us. All that we are asking is that when we organise and mobilise around an issue we should be engaged on that issue rather than by constantly having our integrity called into question. We may be poor but we are full blown political subjects and that is how we should be engaged.

 

There?s an outcry all over the country over the corruption of housing lists by the ruling party. We are pleased that we have been able to stop the corruption in Grahamstown and we will continue to organise and mobilise to ensure that the new process is fair and open.

 

For more information, contact:

 

Ayanda Kota ? 078 625 6462

 

Gladys Mepo ? 060 393 0402

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STATEMENT ON SHOOTING OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST

 

He was shot dead as he documented excessive use of force and other human rights violations against demonstrators, in a joint operation of the Kenyan Defense Forces and the police http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/88685

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5 Obituaries

 

IN MEMORIAM: BELINDA ALLAN Patricia Daley

 

Belinda Allan, who was a founding Director and Trustee of Fahamu, died in June this year at the age of 77. Belinda was a strong supporter of all the things that Fahamu stands for ? social justice and human rights. Victoria Britain, in an obituary in the Guardian Newspaper (14 July 2013), refers to Belinda?s ‘early days of Amnesty International, [as a co-founder in] the successful launching of refugee studies as an Oxford University discipline, to years of active support for Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and the grim camps in Lebanon?.

 

Belinda was unassuming in character, but had a strong presence in any audience, partly due to her commanding stature and colourful dress sense. Belinda resigned as a Director and Trustee in 2010, but remained a loyal friend of the charity, such that when Fahamu started to experience difficulties in 2012 and she discovered that her resignation had not been, as presumed, made official, she returned to support the organization, despite the diagnosis of a life threatening illness. During this difficult time she only wanted good news and was cheered whenever she was told about the determination of the staff to ensure the survival of Fahamu. Not all the current Fahamu staff had the chance to meet her, but those who did write about her generosity of spirit and her welcoming home.

 

Her support is sadly missed by all.

 

* Dr Patricia Daley is the Chairperson of Fahamu Board.

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6 Books & arts BIKO AGOZINO’S

 

‘TODAY NA TODAY’ Chika Ezeanya

 

In his new collection of poems in pidgin English, Agozino invests efforts in eschewing the haughtiness, detachment and pretensions of the ivory tower language in order to better address issues the way they are in Nigeria http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/88684

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7 Jobs

 

FINANCE & OFFICE MANAGER $66,025 – $80,907 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa AI Amnesty International

 

For 50 years, we?ve been campaigning for human rights wherever justice, freedom and truth are denied. We?ve reshaped policies, challenged governments and taken corporations to task. In doing so, we?ve changed thousands of lives for the better. Join Amnesty at our new Secretariat office in Johannesburg and you will too. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/jobs/88645

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REGIONAL DIRECTOR, EAST AFRICA – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Starting salary USD $ 100,175 Location: Nairobi, Kenya AI Amnesty International

 

The mobile revolution. Geopolitical power shifts. A radically altered global economy. The world is changing, and so is the way that people campaign for their rights. To remain effective, Amnesty International?s (AI) International Secretariat needs to adapt to that change. That?s why we?re opening a regional office in Kenya. And why we need you to lead it. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/jobs/88484

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REGIONAL DIRECTOR, SOUTH AFRICA – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Starting salary USD $102,363 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa AI Amnesty International

 

The mobile revolution. Geopolitical power shifts. A radically altered global economy. The world is changing, and so is the way that people campaign for their rights. To remain effective, Amnesty International?s (AI) International Secretariat needs to adapt to that change. That’s why we?re opening a hub in Johannesburg. And why we need you to lead it. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/jobs/88483

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REGIONAL DIRECTOR, WEST AFRICA – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Starting salary EUR 79,298 Location: Dakar, Senegal AI Amnesty International

 

The mobile revolution. Geopolitical power shifts. A radically altered global economy. The world is changing, and so is the way that people campaign for their rights. To remain effective, Amnesty International?s (AI) International Secretariat needs to adapt to that change. That?s why we?re developing our presence in Senegal. And why we need you to lead the way. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/jobs/88481

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REGIONAL GROWTH COORDINATOR, AFRICA – AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Salary: $64,951 – $79,590 Location: Nairobi, Kenya AI Amnesty International

 

At the forefront of human rights, Amnesty International works tirelessly across the world to fight injustice and help those affected by it. Amnesty International believes that through the building of our global movement we will have a greater ability to create positive changes in the global Human Rights situation. To achieve this in Africa we need a talented Regional Growth Coordinator to strategically build our movement in the region. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/jobs/88482

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End of Pambazuka-news Digest, Vol 277, Issue 2

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