The New Dark Age

3 April 2014 —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. Obituaries, 6. African Writers’ Corner


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1 Features
THE ALGERIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: THE BURLESQUE, THE TRAGICOMIC AND THE FARCICAL
Hamza Hamouchene

In the run up to Algeria’s presidential elections on 17 April, a tragic
comedy unfolds in which presidential candidates contest against a rigid
regime with false stability. The outcome of the election is predetermined;
and the people will lose, no matter which candidate wins
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/91220
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MALAWI’S MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS THREATENS TO UNDERMINE 2014 POLLS

As Malawians prepare go to elections on May 20, a new comprehensive report
shows that important electoral reforms have not been put in place. And the
country’s politics is driven by regionalism and ethnicity
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/91213
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20 YEARS AFTER DEVALUATION: WHAT IS THE FUTURE FOR THE CFA FRANC?
Demba Moussa Dembele

The CFA franc is one of the symbols of the lack of sovereignty in African
countries. This necessitates a break with the system and the creation of a
sovereign currency which is one of the major conditions for the
implementation of industrial policies to create value and jobs at the
national and regional levels
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/91209
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AMERICAN PROXY WARS IN AFRICA
Nick Turse

The US military is making deeper inroads into Africa, including military
involvement with at least 49 of 54 nations. But there is nothing to suggest
that these interventions actually help end Africa’s post-colonial conflicts
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/91210
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INTERVIEW WITH EX-CIA COLLABORATOR: ‘THE CIA’S PLANS IN VENEZUELA ARE FAR ADVANCED’
Raul Capote

The political upheaval witnessed in Venezuela is the continuation of a long
destabilization plot by the US against popular Left-leaning governments in
Latin America. As this interview reveals, America will stop at nothing to
maintain its imperialist reach around the world
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/91212
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UNCOVERING JOSINA MACHEL FROM OBSCURITY
African women hidden in his-story
Ama Biney

Josina Mutemba Machel was a revolutionary Mozambican fighter for FRELIMO
who like thousands of women fought for independence for her country until
she died at the tender age of 25. 7 April marks the day she died – a day
celebrated as National Women’s Day in Mozambique. It occasions a
celebration of her exemplary short life
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/91217
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SOME POLICY CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE ETHIOPIAN OUTMIGRATION
Seid Hassan and Minga Negash

Ethiopia claims that it has enjoyed double-digit real economic growth for
about a decade and that it is a stable nation. But the massive outmigration
of its people points to a different reality
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/91219
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2 Announcements
RWANDA: 20 YEARS AFTER THE GENOCIDE: A CALL FOR ARTICLES

How has Rwanda fared in the past two decades since the 1994 genocide? And
what does the future hold for this nation of 11 million people? Pambazuka
News invites articles for a special issue to be published in April
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/announce/90534
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PAMBAZUKA SPECIAL ISSUE: AFRICA IN 50 YEARS TIME – INVENTING A NEW AFRICA

What kind of Africa do women, youth, trade union activists,
environmentalists, human rights, LBGTI and sex worker activists envision?
What are the dreams of African writers, poets, scientists, engineers,
agronomists, musicians for the continent in 50 years time? Pambazuka would
like to hear from you.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/announce/90936
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PAMBAZUKA NEWS: CALL FOR VOLUNTEER TRANSLATORS

Pambazuka News needs volunteers to translate articles. Published weekly in
English and French, and every 15 days in Portuguese, our electronic
newsletter sometimes translates articles from one language to another.
Through this, we aim to break down language barriers, give more audience to
relevant analysis for our contributors and encourage exchanges between
linguistic communities in Africa and around the world. In this Pambazuka is
unique.

To deal with our increasing translation needs, we are looking for
volunteers to strengthen our team of volunteer translators who assist us in
this task and contribute to what Pambazuka is.

We engage to sign all translated articles with the name of their authors.

If you are a student or professional translator, we are counting on you.
Write to the editors at the following address: editor@pambazuka.org
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3 Comment & analysis
THE CHURCH: A SYMBOL OF OPPRESSION?
Danmore Chuma

Over sixty percent of Zimbabwe’s population are Christians. However, not
all churches are supportive of homosexuality and endorse the Zimbabwe
constitution that criminalizes same sex marriage yet disallows
discrimination. Meanwhile several politicians make reckless denunciations
of homosexuals whilst others quietly indulge in homosexual acts themselves
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/91215
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‘NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR’ IN 2014 ETHIOPIANA
Alemayehu G. Mariam

In Orwellian Ethiopia, the government is using foreign technology to
bolster its widespread telecom surveillance of opposition activists and
journalists both in Ethiopia and abroad. Addis Ababa uses control of its
telecom system as a tool to silence dissenting voices
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/91230
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ZAMBIA IN FREE FALL UNDER THE WAND OF MICHAEL SATA
Charles Mwewa

The economy of Zambia is in bad shape under the helm of President Michael
Sata. Sata’s liability is not in the fact that he is too old, or some of
his ministers are ancient, his deficiency is in the fact that he lacks an
economic vision for the country
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/91216
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WE MUST NOT APOLOGISE FOR REPARATIONS DEMANDS
Renwick Rose

Caribbean nations are seeking reparations from Europe for the slave trade.
All peoples of Africa and the Caribbean should support this cause. We ought
to fully appreciate the lasting effects of genocide, slavery and
colonialism – and how they relate to our condition today
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/91224
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MANDELA’S LEGACY: CHALLENGE TO AFRICAN LEADERS
Japhet M. Zwana

Why are African political leaders so drenched in opulence while their
people are so poor? There are gluttonous heads of state in Africa who fail
to emulate the example of the life of Nelson Mandela who was not inspired
by greed and materialist accumulation
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/91214
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4 Advocacy & campaigns
INSECURITY: OUR COUNTRY IS DESCENDING INTO CHAOS

Following several major acts of violence in Kenya, the Centre for Law and
Research International and the Coalition for Constitution Implementation
are calling upon the government to urgently implement measures that will
adequately tackle the problem.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/91225
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POLICE CORRUPTION RIFE BETWEEN BULAWAYO AND PLUMTREE BORDER POST

A recent incident underscores the magnitude of lack of professionalism and
corruption among police officers in Zimbabwe. There is an urgent need for
reforms
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/91228
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SUDAN: ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Mr Mohamed Salah Mohamed and others
Frontline Defenders

On 20 March 2014, human rights defender Mr Mohamed Salah Mohamed was
forcibly disappeared at Khartoum International Airport as he was travelling
to a workshop in Tunisia. His family have not been provided with any
information about his whereabouts, nor has he had access to legal counsel
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/91229
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5 Obituaries
A TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GEN SIYAYA NKONYENI
Motsoko Pheko

Major General Nkonyeni was a true Pan Africanist and a hero of the South
African liberation struggle in the fearless tradition of the freedom
fighters. His exploits will remain an inspiration for future generations
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/obituary/91226
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6 African Writers’ Corner
THE PAST, NOW AND FUTURE
Ama Biney

Hankering over the ‘glorious’ past as we confront our present struggles is
not really helpful. Rather we should dare to invent the future, as Thomas
Sankara challenged us
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/African_Writers/91227
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End of Pambazuka-news Digest, Vol 305, Issue 1
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