4 June 2015 — 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. Books & arts

 

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1 Features ETHIOPIA: MAKING SENSE OF 100 PERCENT ELECTION VICTORY Messay Kebede

 

The 24 May election was worse than a sham. In turning the poll into a process of complete elimination of the opposition, the government and the ruling party have loudly told the Ethiopian people that any hope of change through peaceful means is just an illusion. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94830

 

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THE WEST AND ETHIOPIA?S ELECTIONS Fikrejesus Amahazion

 

Unsurprisingly, international reaction to the charade that was Ethiopia’s elections has been mild, with the West instead trumpeting the country’s economic growth. Oppressed by the regime for so long and abandoned by the world, the only option for change left to Ethiopians seems to be open resistance. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94832

 

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CAN ‘AUTHORITARIAN DEVELOPMENTALISM’ BE TESTED AT THE BALLOT BOX? Eyob Balcha Gebremariam

 

In today’s Ethiopia, the government seeks to legitimize its rule by delivering on socio-economic aspects and justifying its actions against civil and political rights of citizens as a price paid for peace, stability and development. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94831

 

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PAN-AFRIKANISM AND THE QUEST FOR BLACK POWER TODAY Has Afrika achieved the kind of liberation that the founders of the OAU envisioned? Veli Mbele

 

Instead of championing Afrika’s liberation from white supremacist monopoly capital, the African Union dedicates its time to fighting for Afrika’s integration into the global imperialist system. A thorough rethink of pan-Afrikanism in the 21st century is urgently needed. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94833

 

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THE REMAINING TASK IN AFRICA’S UNFINISHED LIBERATION Garikai Chengu

 

African ownership of African resources is important but exposing and dismantling financial imperialism, which prevents African economies from thriving, is the crucial second stage of African liberation. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94846

 

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UNDERSTANDING BURUNDI’S TURMOIL Is it a constitutional crisis or political and economic issues? Charles KM Kambanda

 

Despite valid and widespread concerns about President Nkurunziza’s wish to run for another term, the alleged constitutional crisis in Burundi is imaginary. The root causes of the eastern African nation’s turmoil run deeper, concerning domestic and international political, economic and social issues. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94849

 

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THE MDGS AS PART OF THE HEGEMONIC DISCOURSE: A CONTEXTUALIZATION Liepollo Lebohang Pheko

 

The MDGs, rather than subverting existing colonial power structures, bolstered them. Furthermore, they are a diversion from the more progressive alternatives that many African and other forces from the global South propose. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94858

 

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IMBONERAKURE MILITIA: PARALLELS BETWEEN BURUNDI AND TANZANIA Dastan Kweka

 

A major feature of the political crisis in Burundi is the violent activities of a youth militia allied to the ruling party. Similar party militias exist in Tanzania, and their involvement in the political scene ahead of elections in October is worrying. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94859

 

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NOW THAT WE HAVE BUHARI Abdulrazaq Magaji

 

Now that Nigerians have Buhari, how far his government goes will depend on how far Nigerians purge themselves of the counter-productive practices of the better-forgotten Jonathan years. Things will not work if business continues as usual. Things do not work that way – they never have! http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94850

 

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DEAD END OR REBIRTH OF A NATION? Chido Onumah

 

Expectations are high that the new President Muhammadu Buhari will transform Nigeria. But while there is little doubt about his personal integrity and commitment, Nigeria is complicated. There is a crippling lack of confidence in the nation by its own citizens. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94835

 

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UPOV91: THE APARTHEID SEED LAW Why would anyone want to destroy farmers? experimentation and knowledge? Carol Thompson

 

This convention legitimises the view that real plant breeders wear white coats and work in a sparkling laboratory with the latest instruments, while projecting farmer breeders as barefoot, dirty and semi-literate. They are not real breeders and therefore have no rights. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94834

 

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CUBA IS FANON IN THE FLESH Nation is living example of a new humanity Danny Haiphong

 

Cuba’s achievements are a testament to the transformation of the Cuban people. The self-determination of Cuba’s revolutionary masses has actualized Che and Fanon’s concept of a new humanity. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94841

 

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2 Announcements PANEL: CONFLICT MINERALS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

 

The New York City Bar’s Committee on African Affairs cordially invites you to a panel on:

 

CONFLICT MINERALS and HUMAN RIGHTS: The Dodd-Frank Act’s Reforms and Reporting Requirements

 

Tuesday, June 16, 2015 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. at the House of the Bar Association, 42 West 44th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)

 

Conflict minerals in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) fuel conflict and finance armed groups committing horrendous human rights abuses. To halt this situation, Congress passed Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act requiring the SEC to adopt rules requiring publicly traded companies to disclose whether ‘conflict minerals’ used in their products come from the DRC or an adjoining country.

 

If such minerals originate in the covered countries, companies must submit to the SEC an annual report describing the source and chain of custody of their ‘conflict minerals’ (defined in the Act as columbite-tantalite (coltan), cassiterite, gold, wolframite, or their derivatives (tin, tungsten, and tantalum)). The second annual reporting date is on June 1, 2015

 

The panelists will discuss the effectiveness of the legislation, the reporting required by it, and the Court of Appeals’ decision on First Amendment grounds in the litigation that upheld most of the SEC’s conflict minerals rule.

 

SPEAKERS

 

HOLLY DRANGINIS, ESQ., Policy Analyst for the Enough Project, focused on the Democratic Republic of the Congo; MICHAEL LITTENBERG, ESQ., a partner at Schulte Roth & Zabel, where he advises on the Conflict Minerals Rule and oversees SRZ’s Conflict Minerals Resource Center; and ZORKA MILIN, ESQ., Senior Legal Adviser, Global Witness. MODERATOR: ELIZABETH BARAD, ESQ., International Law and Gender Consultant

 

Co-sponsored by: Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, (Alexander Papachristou, Executive Director); Securities Regulation Committee, (Sandra Flow, Chair); Financial Reporting Committee, (Michael Young, Chair); and International Human Rights Committee, (Elisabeth Wickeri, Chair).

 

The program is free and open to the public.

 

Please RSVP to elizabethbarad@gmail.com

 

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THIRD ASSEMBLY OF THE AFRICAN GRANTMAKERS NETWORK Date: 1-3 July 2015; Arusha, Tanzania. African Grantmakers Network

 

We are pleased to inform you that the Third Assembly of the African Grantmakers Network (AGN) which was postponed in 2014 will now take place from 1 – 3 July 2015 in Arusha, Tanzania and will be hosted by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) and the Foundation for Civil Society (FCS). http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/announce/94829

 

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CALL FOR PAPERS: HEROES AND HEROINES OF THE BACK TO AFRICA MOVEMENTS

 

The international conference in Barbados hopes to bring together scholars/researchers, activists and policy makers to interrogate the philosophical, political, socio-cultural and economic thoughts and legacies of these Africanists. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/announce/94825

 

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HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL: SEMINAR INVITATION The last colony in Africa: Western Sahara and the right to self-determination

 

His Excellence Mr Mohammed Salem Ould Salek, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Saharawi Arab democratic Republic

 

Keynote address: The latest development on the question of Western Sahara

 

Date: Friday 12 June 2015 Time: 14:00-16:00 Venue: Forum 150, HSRC, 134 Pretorious Street, Pretoria

 

Ambassador Maitland, Chief Director of the Central and North Africa Directorate at DIRCO Presentation title: A renewed role of the African Union in Western Sahara

 

Ms Catherine Constantinides, Lead SA Executive, Archbishop Tutu African Oxford Fellow and Social Cohesion Advocate for the Department of Arts & Culture Presentation title: The story of a forgotten people; my recent experiences in the refugee camps

 

Kindly RSVP by 11 June 2015 to Sam Lekala at slekala@hsrc.ac.za; Tel: 0123169753; Cell: 0823281464

 

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3 Comment & analysis DNA TEST DENIED AT WORLD BANK TO PROVE BLACK PEOPLE ARE HUMAN! E. Faye Williams, Esq.

 

The aggrieved African wanted World Bank Tribunal judges to understand that Black people are human and suffer the same emotional and psychological damages that people of other races suffer when subjected to sustained psychological abuse. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94836

 

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THE AU’S DEPENDENCY ON DONORS IS A BIG SHAME Oyoo Sungu

 

The African Union is still heavily dependent on foreigners for funding. Yet this is the organization that should be working tirelessly for the complete liberation of African people from the clutches of imperialism. How can this AU push its agenda in the global arena? http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94867

 

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A LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS ON PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION Nigerians in Russia outline key issues in need of Buhari’s immediate attention

 

Expectations on President Muhammadu Buhari are many and very high. But he must straightaway tackle the problems of endemic corruption, insecurity and the power crisis. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94828

 

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29 MAY 1966 Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe

 

This is a day of meditation and remembrance in every Igbo household anywhere in the world for the 3.1 million murdered; for gratitude and thanksgiving for those who survived, and the collective Igbo rededication to achieve sovereignty. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94869

 

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SOMALILAND’S MOMENT OF INFAMY Bashir Goth

 

The returnees came from Yemen, haggard and tired, seeking only peace and tranquility. But the Somaliland regime refused them entry. What a shame! http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94871

 

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LIKELY ILLEGAL MIGRANT? TOP GHANAIAN SURGEON PROTESTS VISA DENIAL BY SPAIN Agbeko Ocloo

 

A consultant orthopedic surgeon at the KorleBu Teaching Hospital, Ghana, Dr. Agbeko Ocloo, has written to the Spanish Ambassador protesting the refusal of a visa to him without proper justification. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94826

 

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AFRICAN DIET MAY STAVE OFF COLON CANCER Gemma Thomas

 

A new study suggests that African diets, comprising an abundance of fruits and vegetables, high fibre foods, beans and cornmeal, and little meat, could keep away this health problem. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94870

 

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4 Advocacy & campaigns EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING OF A MINOR IN KIAMAIKO

 

In a heartless case of police brutality, a Nairobi officer shoots dead a teenage boy in cold blood in a slum as the boy pleads with him to spare his life. Human rights defenders in the area are demanding justice. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/94864

 

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KENYATTA REGIME SHOULD STOP VICIOUS ATTACK ON CIVIL SOCIETY IN KENYA

 

President Kenyatta is steadily returning Kenya to authoritarianism. His government has tried to muzzle the judiciary and arm-twist County Governments. It has initiated repressive policy actions aimed at restricting the space of civil society, civil liberties, media freedom and independent critical voices. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/94865

 

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GROUPS PROTEST STATE HARASSMENT OF CSOS IN KENYA

 

Joint statement of the Civil Society Organizations Reference Group (CSORG) and the National Civil Society Congress (NCSC) on the continued state harassment and intimidation of human rights organisations and the alleged deregistration of Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), Haki Africa and the Agency for Peace and Development in the pretext of fighting terrorism. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/94868

 

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OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI TO #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

 

Nearly 200 organisations from around the world have asked Nigeria’s new head of state to do everything in his power to bring back the girls captured and held in captivity for over a year now by the militant group Boko Haram. Read the letter here ( http://www.femnet.co/index.php/en/press/item/360-open-letter-to-president-muhammadu-buhari-to-#bringbackourgirls&Itemid=439 ) .

 

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CSOS URGE GOVERNMENTS TO REJECT NEW ALLIANCE FOR FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN AFRICA

 

The organisations say that African governments and international donors support to African agriculture increasingly focuses on the extension of corporate led food and agricultural systems to the detriment of small-scale food producers, who produce 70% of the food in Africa. Read the full statement [url=http://farmlandgrab.org/post/view/24942here%5B/url%5D.

 

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5 Books & arts CRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT: A REVIEW OF NGONG’S ‘BLOT ON THE LANDSCAPE’ Peter Wuteh Vakunta

 

Cameroonian poet Ngong issues an effective wake up call decrying the rapidly declining state of the environment. The volume is a battle cry, urging everyone to fight back against the forces-including human nature itself-ravaging the Earth. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/94861

 

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‘AFRICANS IN CHINA’: A REVIEW Kwame Opoku

 

Prof. Bodomo has produced an excellent book that will for years to come be the standard work for scholars. ‘Two points I will always retain are: the African who was surprised that the Chinese do not speak English and the complaint by some Chinese that the Africans are intensely dating Chinese women. What did they expect’? http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/94860

 

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AN ‘OTHER’ FEMINISM A review of Hilary Klein’s ‘Companeras: Zapatista Women’s Stories’ Charlotte Maria S?enz

 

The new book provides the world with the voices of indigenous Zapatista women as a new political element: one being created and theorized from their own place and history, with openness to worlds and perspectives beyond. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/94862

 

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‘WE ARE MANY’: A REVIEW Hamza Hamouchene

 

The film is an indictment of those people who waged an illegal and criminal war on Iraq, and succeeds in conveying the anti-war spirit of 2003 by documenting and charting a crucial moment in the left’s efforts to organise in order to stop the war. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/94848

 

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MATIBA OF KENYA Philo Ikonya

 

Kenneth Matiba, once a prominent politician associated with the struggle for the re-introduction of multi-party democracy in Kenya, is now an ailing old man in a wheelchair. He has sued the government for illegal detention, which caused his present illness. A tribute. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/94863

 

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End of Pambazuka-news Digest, Vol 361, Issue 2

 

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