PAMBAZUKA NEWS 731: AGENDA NOW, NOW: AFRICA’S TOTAL LIBERATION

20 June 2015 — Pambazuka News

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Pambazuka News (English edition): ISSN 1753-6839

CONTENTS: 1. Features, 2. Announcements, 3. Comment & analysis, 4. Books & arts, 5. Jobs

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1 Features 52 YEARS SINCE OAU FOUNDING, AFRICA STILL COLONIZED Malainin Lakhal

The fate of Western Sahara, under brutal occupation by Morocco and whose resources are plundered by this colonial power working in cahoots with Western and even some African governments, remains a big shame in Africa’s quest for total liberation and unity. Africa is not free as long as the Saharawi people remain under colonialism. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94943

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AU ASKS UN TO SET REFERENDUM DATE IN WESTERN SAHARA Malainin Lakhal

The African Union position on Western Sahara is getting stronger day after day, but it also reveals all the weaknesses of Africa when it comes to imposing its own decisions and positions on critical issues. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94951

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OPEN LETTER TO THE AU ON RESURGENCE OF XENOPHOBIC VIOLENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA Presented on the occasion of the AU Summit in Sandton, Johannesburg, June 2015

More than 130 civil society organisations have written to the African Union urging the continental body to call upon the South African government to take concrete steps to end attacks against foreigners, prosecute perpetrators and protect migrants and refugees living in the country from violations of their human rights. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94940

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FOR AU AGENDA 2063, THINK AGENDA NOW NOW Steve Sharra

Africa’s future is too important to be left to the African Union alone. Much more work needs to be done for ordinary people to own the process of the continent’s renewal, working side by side with the Pan-African body. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94952

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COTTONING ON TO A LIE Genetically modified cotton will harm, not help, African smallholder farmers Haidee Swanby

After years of resistance, some governments and local producers appear convinced that GM technology will boost competitiveness of African cotton. But a look at how GM cotton has fared where it has been tried, particularly its socio-economic impact on smallholder farmers, reveals a tragic tale of crippling debt, appalling market prices and a technology prone to failure. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94939

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MEDIA PROPAGANDA AND GOVERNANCE BY SLOGANS Osita Ebiem

Nigeria’s new leader is the subject of much hype. He is being hoisted up to the status of a cult figure. Apparently, he is the man Africa’s giant needs to solve its extensive problems. But Muhammadu Buhari’s history and thinking suggest otherwise. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94941

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THE MAKING OF AN UNUSUAL HERO Lawson Oviasogie

The election of Muhammadu Buhari is an overwhelming expression of the will of Nigerians. Sometimes depicted by his critics as a dour, rustic disciplinarian with poor oratorical skill, the new president’s message of change and his personal commitment will transform the country. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94942

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KYASANO, A BIODIVERSITY SANCTUARY A paradigm for sustainable rural development in Africa Odomaro Mubangizi

Development is often viewed as top-down: Principally the work of government, international actors and other institutions. This village on the Rwanda-Uganda provides a case for focus on the rural political economy as the engine of bottom-up sustainable development. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94945

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‘AM I FREE TO GO” The refuseniks’ campaign to resist police street harassment Ajamu Nangwaya

After years of suffering under the carding regime, the Afrikan-Canadian community and other affected peoples should initiate a mass campaign aimed at refusing to share their personal information with the cops when they are stopped in non-criminal encounters. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94944

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BRICS BANK COULD BE GAME-CHANGER Kester Kenn Klomegah

The bank will invest primarily in infrastructure projects in both BRICS and non-BRICS countries. The establishment of its first regional office in Johannesburg will give access to the Africa, where infrastructure development needs are highest. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94938

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2 Announcements

INVITATION TO APPLY: 2ND WEST AFRICA EXECUTIVE COURSE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND DRUG POLICY

The University of Ghana School of Law, in collaboration with the Open Society Global Drug Policy Program and Open Society Initiative for West Africa, is inviting applications for its intensive 6-day 2nd West Africa Executive Course on Human Rights and Drug Policy to be held at the University of Ghana, Legon between July 27 and 1 August, 2015. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/announce/94953

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3 Comment & analysis

IN A WORLD OBSESSED WITH PASSPORT TIERS, CITIZENSHIP IS PERSONAL AND POLITICAL Robtel Neajai Pailey

Despite the rhetoric about globalisation’s free flow of ideas, capital and technology, the world remains obsessed with restricting the movement of people who don’t fit into neat boxes of what is tolerable or even desirable. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94948

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BRITISH MUSEUM ‘GUARDS’ LOOTED SYRIAN OBJECT’ Kwame Opoku

It is strange that a museum that is under permanent criticism for holding looted objects of others or objects acquired under dubious circumstances now presents itself as ‘guardian’ of looted artefacts. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94947

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AGAIN, BUHARI GOES TO SCHOOL Okachikwu Dibia

To succeed as president, Muhammadu Buhari needs to quickly engage in deep and critical introspection to enable him re-align his personal strengths with the exogenous political, social and economic forces that invisibly rule presidential behavior in Nigeria. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94949

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ADAMS BODOMO DELIVERS INAUGURAL LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY OF VIENNA Kwame Opoku

Bodomo argued for the study of African languages not only for the languages themselves, as important as they are and for the cultures associated with them, but also from linguistic and literary perspectives. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94946

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4 Books & arts

THE COMING REVOLUTION IN NORTH AFRICA: THE STRUGGLE FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE’ Hamza Hamouchene and Mika Minio-Paluello

In an interview, the editors of this new book say their goal is to counteract the dominant neoliberal discourse on climate change in Arabic, and point to the need for a revolutionary alternative grounded in justice. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/94950

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5 Jobs

POSITION: GRANTS AND COMPLIANCE MANAGER Location: Dakar, with regular international travel Deadline: 11 July 2015 TA Trust Africa

The goal of the Grants and Compliance Manager is to ensure smooth running of TrustAfrica’s grants administration and other compliance processes. S/he will maintain up to date grant records, ensure adherence to established industry standards and TrustAfrica’s policies and procedures; provide periodic analysis of TrustAfrica grants for internal and external audiences and technical assistance to grantees on all TrustAfrica grants related policies and procedures. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/jobs/94937

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End of Pambazuka-news Digest, Vol 363, Issue 1

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