USA Africa Dialogue Series - Pambazuka News 714: Reclaiming Africa's revolutionary roots

Pambazuka News 714: Reclaiming Africa's revolutionary roots

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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, 6. Letters & Opinions, 7. Jobs


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1 Features
THIRD TERM FOR KAGAME: A RARE DEBATE

A no-holds-barred debate, of the kind that one cannot hear inside Rwanda, erupted online this week. People expressed themselves freely about the ongoing campaign to remove presidential term limits from the constitution so that Paul Kagame can continue in power after 2017. The debate reveals that there is far more to Rwanda than the dictatorship allows the world to know via massive PR.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94020
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FOUR MORE YEARS OF JONATHAN? GOOD LUCK, NIGERIA!
Abdulrazaq Magaji

Six years of the Jonathan presidency have pushed the country to the precipice. The way it looks, Nigeria might take a dangerous plunge if Jonathan remains in office beyond May 29, 2015. Another four years under the present dispensation is an open invitation to chaos.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94015
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NIGERIA: EMERGING FROM THE BRINK
Okeoma Ibe

The political situation in Nigeria is increasingly grim. Pre-election violence and hate have risen in the past weeks. The nation's war against Boko Haram extremists is not yet won. There is a lot of worry about whether the elections postponed to next month will pass off peacefully. It is time for all Nigerians to put their country first.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94021
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WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO CHANGE THINGS?
Mary Serumaga

Africa often seems to be stuck in an endless cycle of dictators, rancid revolutionaries and false dawns. But genuine champions of change exist, some great others quite ordinary people.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94014
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50 YEARS ON: RECLAIMING MALCOLM X FOR REVOLUTIONARY PAN-AFRICANISM
Ahjamu Umi

From street hustler to powerful orator, Malcolm X's life was cut short when he was brutally murdered in front of family, friends and supporters. Fifty years on he is still at the forefront of political debate, but his legacy as a towering revolutionary pan-Africanist with important messages for our time is not in doubt.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94018
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ROBERT MANGALISO SOBUKWE: WHAT A SENSE OF MISSION!
Sibonginkosi Mazibuko

February 27 marks 37 years since the passing away in the hands of the apartheid regime of the great pan-Africanist leader. His radical dedication to the total freedom, unity and prosperity of Africa ought to stir up the present generation to embrace a similar commitment.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94024
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VISIT TO VENEZUELA A BIG BOOST TO MY REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT
Mwandawiro Mghanga

The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Kenya gives his impression of a conference he attended in Venezuela on the global fight against neo-liberalism and imperialism. He concludes that Africa and Latin America must strengthen revolutionary friendship in order to build a more just and humane world.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94022
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A JIHAD AGAINST SOMALI MUSIC IS UNDER WAY
Bashir Goth

Unbeknown to many people, some powerful conservative Somali clerics are strong-arming famous musicians into ending and disowning their own musical careers, on spurious claims that the music is prohibited in Islam. Music is very important in Somali culture and in Islamic traditions. Extremists must not be allowed to go on with this senseless eradication of heritage.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94016
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KEEP SOUTH AFRICA'S LIGHTS ON WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY - OR IRRADIATE A DARKENED NATION
Patrick Bond

After an explosive start to his State of the Nation Address last week, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma turned to nuclear, coal, fracking and offshore drilling projects - but what about the country's free sunshine, wind and tides?
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/94023
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2 Announcements
JOIN MAPINDUZI AFRIKA!

Fahamu has launched Mapinduzi Afrika Mailing List for progressive individuals and groups throughout the pan-African world to share their thoughts, experiences, events, strategies, struggles, opportunities and updates in the ongoing efforts to destroy entrenched oppressive, anti-people systems. Sign up!
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/announce/93944
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CALL FOR PAPERS

International Conference on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Environmental Ethics: Implications for Peace-building and Sustainable Development: 28-30 April 2015, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/announce/93911
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SPECIAL ISSUE: WHERE NEXT FOR THE MILLENUIM DEVELOPMENT GOALS?
African perspectives on the Post-2015 development agenda process

Pambazuka News invites articles on the evaluation of the Millennium Development Goals and the question of the post-2015 Development Agenda in Africa to help readers make sense of the debate in order to influence the UN's construction of a Post-2015 Development with Africa as an active partner.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/announce/93920
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AFRICAN JOURNALIST STUDY PROGRAMME: WORKSHOP IN NAIROBI 2015
A call for applications

The Fahamu Emerging Powers in Africa project will be conducting a three-day Journalist capacity building workshop in Nairobi. The workshop seeks to strengthen the voice of African media on investigating and reporting the impact that emerging actors (including China, India, Brazil, South Korea and Turkey) have on Africa's external engagements and development landscape.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/announce/93721
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TOWARD THE 8TH PAN-AFRICAN CONGRESS, ACCRA, GHANA

The Local Organising Committee of the 8th Pan African Congress, Accra, Ghana wishes to inform the Pan African world that the 8th PAC will be held in Accra, 4 - 7 March, 2015 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Pan-African organisations and Pan-Africanists who are interested in participating in the 8th Pan African Congress may contact Mr. Kwasi Adu on: kwasi.adu@outlook.com<mailto:kwasi.adu@outlook.com>

For further information, interested participants should also visit the 8th PAC website at: http://www.8panafcongress.com where registration can be done online. Other relevant information about the Congress will be published online on a regular basis.

Kwesi Pratt Jnr.
Chairman
Local Organising Committee
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3 Comment & analysis
LEILA KHALED'S PRESENCE IN PARLIAMENT LOST IN PANDEMONIUM OF LOCAL POLITICS
Anna Majavu

The ANC decries the brutal military occupation of Palestine by Israel in public, but behind closed doors props up the Israeli apartheid system. Diplomatic relations are so cordial that the Israeli secret service is permitted to operate its own office inside OR Tambo airport.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94025
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BOKO HARAM IS NOT A FEMINIST PROBLEM: A NIGERIAN WOMAN'S PERSPECTIVE
Yoknyam Dabale

Many victims of Boko Haram attacks have been men and boys. Reducing the terror attakcs to gender violence is a distortion of actual events and disrespectful to male victims and their families.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94027
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BOKO HARAM IS IMPERIALIST TERRORISM
PD Lawton

Boko Haram exists, but what is being witnessed in Nigeria today are attempts by the West to expand their military presence in West Africa, using the terrorist group as an excuse. There is nothing new in these tactics.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94028
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GMOS: WHOSE INTERESTS DOES PROF. ALHASSAN REPRESENT?
Edwin Kweku Andoh Baffour

Prof. Alhassan was been quoted as dismissing anti-GMO groups because, according to him, they allegedly do not have any scientific proof or knowledge to offer when it comes GMO technology. But he is wrong.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94029
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ZUMA'S STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS: A CHINASQUE READING
Bob Wekesa

China has huge interests in the three Southern Africa countries - Angola, Mozambique and Tanzania - that South Africa now seems to target as the source of natural gas. These interests count for multi-million investments encompassing bilateral agreements.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94026
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HAITI CONTINUES TO RESIST BARACK OBAMA-INSTALLED DICTATORSHIP AND MILITARY OCCUPATION
Ezili Danto

Since January 12, 2015, Michel Martelly has ruled Haiti by decree with US-UN guns backing up his dictatorship. The UN Security council, led by Samantha Powers, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, recently visited Haiti to legitimize and reinforce their commitment to Martelly over the objections of the people of Haiti.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/94019
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4 Advocacy & campaigns
BURIED UNDER THE PREMIER'S 'PEACE'
21 assassinations yet still no proper mediation process for Glebelands Hostel

More people are being killed without the murderers being brought to justice. The peace promised residents by eThekwini Municipality and Provincial Government in KwaZulu Natal is nowhere to be seen. How long will these senseless killings last?
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/94017
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KENYA: FILM REGULATOR BANS SCREENING OF FIFTY SHADES OF GREY
Article 19

The continued banning of certain films in Kenya without making known detailed reasons for such censorship is a big blow to artistic expression and a clear violation of artistic freedom guaranteed by the constitution of Kenya, Article 19 says.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/94005
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REJECTING AMERICAN IMPERIALIST SANCTIONS
Bunge La Mwananchi statement of solidarity with the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

The Kenyan social movement stands with the People of Venezuela and social movements in South-South solidarity, defending the independence and sovereignty of Venezuela against any imperialist attempts to undermine the social progress made in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela under the leadership of President Nicolas Maduro.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/94031
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SPAIN'S BASIC LAW FOR THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC SECURITY, A THREAT TO THE RIGHTS OF ASSEMBLY AND ASYLUM

Opponents says the law currently awaiting final approval in the Senate prior to its final review by the Congress of Deputies would introduce unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly in Spain and would legalise the practice of summary returns to Morocco from Spain's enclaves in North Africa.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/94006
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5 Books & arts
USING LITERARY FICTION AS A VOICE FOR AFRICAN/BLACK LIBERATION
Ahjamu Umi

Progressive literary fiction has not always been highly regarded within African literature. Ahjamu Umi makes the case for its consciousness-developing and educational properties, and argues for its wider acceptance in African societies.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/94030
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6 Letters & Opinions
ON OBOTE-ODORA: THERE WAS NO GENOCIDE CONSPIRACY IN RWANDA
Peter Erlinder

Fact: Four trial chambers and the Appeal Chamber acquitted the entire national political and military leadership of the Habyarimana government of conspiracy to commit genocide, or any other crimes, before April 7, 1994, the day after the assassination of the President.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/letters/94008
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A QUICK RESPONSE TO ALEX OBOTE-ODORA
Edward S. Herman and David Peterson

As former Chief of Appeals and Legal Advisory Division at the ICTR, Obote-Odora surely knows that sworn testimony as well as public assertions of fact exist from members of Kagame-Power circles concerning the events leading to the genocide, including the names of RPF personnel participating with Kagame in planning the shoot-down of the plane carrying President Habyarimana.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/letters/94007
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ON OBOTE-ODORA: KAGAME ORDERED HABYARIMANA ASSASSINATION
Christopher Black

Prosecutors at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) made a political decision to give complete immunity to President Paul Kagame and the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) for their crimes and as a result they have been granted impunity to commit the terrible war crimes in Rwandan and Congo since: because they know they can get away with it.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/letters/94004
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7 Jobs
RESEARCHER - CONFLICT / SOMALIA
Remuneration: #68,699 per annum, London
A I
Amnesty International

( http://careers.amnesty.org ) The mobile revolution. Geopolitical power shifts. A radically altered global economy. The world is changing, and so is the way that people fight for their rights. In order to be effective, Amnesty International's (AI) International Secretariat needs to change how we work. That's why we have opened an East Africa Regional Office in Kenya. And why we need your field research expertise with us on the ground.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/jobs/93905
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