---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Pambazuka Editor <[email protected]> Date: Thu, Jun 30, 2011 at 8:42 PM Subject: Pambazuka News 537: Land grabs, kleptocratic capitalism and citizen protests To: pambazuka-news <[email protected]>
PAMBAZUKA NEWS 537: LAND GRABS, KLEPTOCRATIC CAPITALISM AND CITIZEN PROTESTS The authoritative electronic weekly newsletter and platform for social justice in Africa Pambazuka News (English edition): ISSN 1753-6839 CONTENTS: 1. Features, 2. Announcements, 3. Comment & analysis, 4. Advocacy & campaigns, 5. Pan-African Postcard, 6. Obituaries, 7. Books & arts, 8. Letters & Opinions, 9. Highlights French edition, 10. Cartoons /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 1 Features LAND 'INVESTMENT' DEALS IN AFRICA: SAY ‘NO WAY!’ Anuradha Mittal, Jeff Furman, Frederic Mousseau Oakland Institute Food insecurity, loss of food sovereignty, the displacement of small farmers, conflict, environmental devastation, water loss, and the further impoverishment and political instability of African nations – these are among the consequences of large-scale investments in land in Africa, a special investigation by the Oakland Institute has revealed. Pambazuka News spoke to Anuradha Mittal, Jeff Furman and Frederic Mousseau about what prompted their research and what they discovered. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74501 ****** KLEPTOCRATIC CAPITALISM: CHALLENGES OF THE GREEN ECONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE AFRICA Yash Tandon Africa remains at the mercy of a self-interested international ruling class interested purely in maximising profit at all costs and consolidating its position, writes Yash Tandon. As the continent faces up to the enormous challenge of climate change and the creation of a sustainable ‘green economy’, it must look inwards and draw upon its own expertise and resources and resist the temptation to rely on compromised external ‘experts’, Tandon stresses. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74507 ****** GREEN THURSDAY IN THE LIFE OF THE NATION OF SENEGAL The day everything changed and a ticking bomb finally exploded Arame Tall The inspiring uprisings in Senegal represent ‘a ticking bomb finally exploding’, writes Arame Tall, with a highly diverse cross-section of Senegalese society out in force to protest the dearth of economic opportunities, political mismanagement and governmental scandals: ‘What has taken place in Senegal is most of all a reclaiming by a people of a voice they thought they had a lost and a dignity even they themselves had forgotten they had.’ http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74461 ****** SENEGAL ON THE RISE ‘Ne touche pas à ma constitution!’ Sokari Ekine The people of Senegal are out in protest over President Abdoulaye Wade’s efforts to manipulate the country’s constitution, writes Sokari Ekine in this week’s round-up of African uprisings. Ekine also discusses the continuing public sector strikes in Botswana and the creation of an online collective of activists opposed to Equatoguinean President Obiang Nguema’s rule. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74491 ****** SWAZILAND: UPRISING IN THE SLIP-STREAM OF NORTH AFRICA Peter Kenworthy April protests in Swaziland galvanised the democratic movement and saw ordinary people turn out in the droves, writes Peter Kenworthy. But getting rid of a king turns out to be very much a process and not an event. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74436 ****** AU ON LIBYA: POLITICAL SOLUTION NEEDED Ruhakana Rugunda At a meeting between the UN Security Council and the African Union High Level Ad hoc Committee on Libya on 15 June, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, Uganda’s permanent representative to the United Nations, gave the African Union’s stand on NATO’s invasion of Libya. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74462 ****** IS THE 'GLOBAL COALITION' OBSTRUCTING AFRICA’S PROGRESS? Zaya Yeebo The ‘global coalition’ is ultimately a mere front for the dominance of Western economic and political interests over genuine democratisation for the peoples of Africa, writes Zaya Yeebo. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74473 ****** RACE, CLASS AND TRANSFORMATION IN SOUTH AFRICA Sehlare Makgetlaneng How can the race question not be one of the key issues of concern for those who are for a better life for all South Africans? asks Sehlare Makgetlaneng. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74464 ****** IS MICROFINANCE WORKING IN SOUTH AFRICA? Khadija Sharife Is microfinance is helping families out of poverty or merely plunging them into debt? Khadija Sharife speaks with one recipient about her experience. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74504 ****** ‘AFRICA 2.0’: MYTH OR REALITY? Dibussi Tande A series of conferences in Africa and Europe focused on the role of social media in promoting democracy and good governance in Africa has triggered discussion about its real impact on the continent. Dibussi Tande rounds up commentary from African bloggers. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74468 ****** IGBOLAND: FREEDOM, SURVIVAL, FUTURE Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe Forty years on, first and second generations of Igbo ‘removed from their parents and grandparents respectively who freed British-occupied Nigeria in 1960 and survived the follow-up genocide’, are ‘once again tasked and poised to restore’ their ‘lost sovereignty’, writes Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74492 ****** THE POTENTIAL BALKANISATION OF SUDAN AND THE ROLE OF MEDDLERS Yohannes Woldemariam There’s clear consensus that defining and demarcating the border between North and South Sudan is a necessary precondition for peace. But deploying Ethiopian peace-keepers to Abyei is simply a ‘band-aid’ that ‘would not help peace and may even make things worse by intensifying regional rivalry,’ writes Yohannes Woldemariam, given the Ethiopian government’s lack of neutrality in Sudan. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74498 ****** GEORGE PADMORE COMMEMORATED WITH PLAQUE IN LONDON Cameron Duodu With ‘father of African liberation’ George Padmore commemorated with a plaque in London this week, Cameron Duodu reflects on Padmore’s enormous influence on the anti-colonial movement and his experiences in Trinidad, the US, the USSR, the UK and across Africa. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74465 ****** SCIENCE, THE FUTURE, AND THE REVOLUTIONARY MOMENT Review of Michio Kaku’s ‘Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100’ Horace Campbell Michio Kaku’s new book shows how science and technology are transforming ‘social relations among humans and between humans and the universe,’ writes Horace Campbell, but it fails to convey that ‘[t]echnological revolution by itself cannot change society; it requires the intentional and purposeful intervention of humans to make a break from traditions of slavery, bondage and exploitation. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74514 ****** BEHIND THE BOYCOTT Why South Africa's academic boycott of Ben Gurion University took hold On 23 March, the University of Johannesburg in South Africa cut all ties with Ben Gurion University in the Negev in Israel. Salim Vally is a senior researcher at the Centre for Education Rights and Transformation, lecturer at the Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg and the coordinator of the Education Rights Project. While he was in Montreal in May 2011, giving a lecture at McGill University in Montreal entitled Reading Edward Said in South Africa ( http://www.tadamon.ca/post/9141 ) , he spoke with Lillian Boctor regarding the University of Johannesburg’s decision to sever links with Ben Gurion University, the international boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israeli apartheid within the South African context, academic freedom and the role of academics and science in society. Listen to the interview online here ( http://www.pambazuka.org/images/articles/537/Lillian_Boctor_Interview_with_Salim_Vally.mp3 ) . http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74463 ****** PARLIAMENTARY BUDGET OFFICE VITAL TO IMPROVE BUDGET PROCESS Eugenia Madhidha A parliamentary budget office would assist Tanzanian MPs in engaging with the executive, argues Eugenia Madhidha. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74438 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 2 Announcements SYMPHONY WAY: 'LET THE OUTSIDE WORLD HEAR OUR VOICES' Author tour – campaign to bring Symphony Way words to the world 'We need to let the outside world hear our voices.' We are working to bring the voices of the Symphony Way Pavement Dwellers to the outside world with the launch of a new campaign. The aim is to bring three authors of the acclaimed book 'No Land! No House! No Vote! Voices from Symphony Way' on a tour of the USA and the UK. Their story is testimony that there is thinking in the shacks and that there are complex humans who dialogue, theorise and fight to bring about change. This tour is a response to global interest and will allow the authors share in person the story of their struggle against injustice with dignity and courage. Every donation is rewarded, from books and DVDSs to personal meetings with the authors themselves, and every donation helps carry their message further. See the campaign on IndieGoGo for details at http://bit.ly/jGXF3i and follow the struggle on Twitter at #symphonytour. ****** FAHAMU REFUGEE LEGAL AID NEWSLETTER - JULY ISSUE Fahamu’s Refugee Programme is pleased to announce the July issue of the Fahamu Refugee Legal Aid Newsletter ( http://bit.ly/lFrxJc ) , a monthly publication that provides a forum for providers of refugee legal aid. With a focus on the global South, it aims to serve the needs of legal aid providers as well as raise awareness of refugee concerns among the wider readership of Pambazuka News. You can also read the newsletter on our blog ( http://frlan.tumblr.com ) . ****** SEMINAR: 'CIVILIAN PROTECTION: ACHILLES HEEL OF HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES' Dr. Sreeram Sundar Chaulia Professor & Executive Director of the Center for Global Governance and Policy, Jindal School of International Relations, and author of International Organizations and Civilian Protection: Power, Ideas and humanitarian aid in Conflict Zones (IB Taurus) 4:30-6.30 pm, Tuesday 5 July 2011 A J Herbertson Room School of Geography and the Environment South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY (Map ( http://bit.ly/jI7scQ ) ) All welcome - see flyer ( http://bit.ly/kNMLjB ) (PDF) ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 3 Comment & analysis THE EMERGING NEW NILE BASIN REGIME The politics of institution building Aaron Tesfaye The central challenge facing Nile Basin States once the Comprehensive Framework Agreement is ratified will be establishing a new regime that works for the benefit of all 11 nations affected, rather than favouring Sudan and Egypt, writes Aaron Tesfaye. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/74489 ****** INCREASED ACCESS TO BUDGET INFORMATION KEY TO REDUCING FRAUD Henry Maina As protests mount over fraud in Kenya’s Ministry of Education, Henry Maina discusses the investigation and proposes lessons to be learned. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/74487 ****** NIGERIA: JEFFREY SACHS’ HASTY OPTIMISM Uche Igwe Economist and UN advisor Professor Jeffrey Sachs may be optimistic about the prospects of the Nigerian economy, but Uche Igwe says the facts on the ground don't back up Sachs' positive outlook. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/74502 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 4 Advocacy & campaigns DAY 6 ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVISTS SIT-IN IN NAIROBI Bunge la Mwananchi Our grassroots intelligence has informed us that Prof. Sam Ongeri or his proxies in the corruption cartels are planning to send hooligans to visit violence on us so as to disrupt our sit-in. Our civic actions are non-violent, constitutionally protected and therefore we refuse to be cowed and shall continue with our sit-in until Prof Ongeri see some sense enough to resign. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/74460 ****** RELEASE THE CUBAN FIVE Million Signatures Awareness Campaign In an open letter to US President Barack Obama, the Million Signatures Awareness Campaign calls for the immediate liberation of the Cuban Five. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/74506 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 5 Pan-African Postcard THE POLITICS OF LAW: LIBYA AND THE WEST H. Nanjala Nyabola When it comes to the politics of international law, ‘[t]he case of Libya is a reminder that power matters, as does who wields it and why,’ writes H. Nanjala Nyabola. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/panafrican/74459 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 6 Obituaries INQUIRER'S 'HEAVY WEIGHT' PATRICK K. WROKPOH IS DEAD 1973-2011 C. Winnie Saywah Patrick K. Wrokpoh, Liberian journalist and contributor to Pambazuka News, died last Friday following a brief illness. C. Winnie Saywah looks back on his career. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/obituary/74480 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 7 Books & arts TRULY ‘A SEASON OF VISIONS’ The 14th Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) Kari Dahlgren There was an ‘undeniable optimism’ and sense of hope at this year’s ZIFF, writes Kari Dahlgren, as the creativity and dialogue the film festival sparked provide a source of ‘unity and strength to both imagine and bring forth global social and economic justice.’ http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/74475 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 8 Letters & Opinions JULIUS MALEMA IS A DEMAGOGUE Nationalisation would be nothing but massive public subsidy for rich Ayanda Kota Unemployed People's Movement (UPM) South Africa’s ANC Youth League ‘might speak in the name of the poor to advance its agenda but everyone knows that it is not a poor people’s organisation’ despite media portrayals of Julius Malema as a champion of the country’s oppressed, writes Ayanda Kota. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/letters/74472 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 9 Highlights French edition PAMBAZUKA NEWS 195: SENEGAL: THE PEOPLE HALT WADE VIOLENT RIOTS AGAINST POWER CUTS IN DAKAR Tidiane Kassé Dakar has had a night of riots, with the masses taking to the streets since the end of Monday 27 June to protest against power cuts. In several areas of the city, the electricity supply is only available in a sporadic manner for a few hours – sometimes a few minutes – with sessions that can last for close to 24 hours. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/74414 ****** SENEGAL: WHEN WADE BACKED DOWN ON 23 JUNE Tidiane Kassé The 17th amendment to the Senegalese constitution, which was to take place on 23 June, fell through. The people took to the streets of Dakar – as well as in the towns upcountry – to protest against the proposed bill that President Wade had forwarded to Parliament. This was a bill whose aim, had it gone through, would have opened up an avenue for Wade's son, Karim, take on the succession to power, but also would have guaranteed him an easy victory in the 2012 presidential race. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/74411 ****** FOR WHOM THE BELLS TOLL IN SENEGALESE DEMOCRACY? Fatou Kiné Camara Rejected by a public revolt, the constitutional bill that Abdoulaye Wade had introduced to institute a 'president–vice president' ticket to the February 2012 presidential elections constitutes a democratic retreat on several levels. Fatou Kiné Camara identifies four of these levels, which make up a 'burial of all democratic progress in Senegal'. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/74372 ****** THE ERA OF THE BADLY ELECTED PRESIDENT! Alioune Sarr If the bill proposed by Abdoulaye Wade passes, 25 per cent of votes cast would be enough to become president of the republic. In a country which counts 12 million inhabitants with an electoral body of 4,917,160 voters, then 1,229,290 votes would be enough for one to be elected in the first round of elections. For Alioune Sarr, never would we see a president so badly elected. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/74375 ****** CONSTITUTIONAL DISORDER WITH DYNASTIC INTENTION El Hadj Mbodj To ensure the devolution of power to his son Karim, Abdoulaye Wade did not hesitate to conceive legal atrocities. And El Hadji Mbodj notes that 'it constitutes a crushing of fundamental principles of constitutional democracy and a shock of the very basis of republican power'. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/74376 ****** WHY I VOTE AGAINST Samba Diouldé Thiam A public revolt forced President Abdoulaye Wade to withdraw the bill he proposed to amend the constitution, yet it was already before parliament. Although the liberal majority was already ready to let the bill pass by mechanical vote, members of parliament from the ruling party – as well as those from the opposition – were ready to vote against. Samba Dioulde Thiam is one of them. He explains his reasons why. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/74374 ****** AFTER THE VICTORY OF 23 JUNE, OTHER PREJUDICIAL BATTLES TO BEGIN! Ababacar Fall 'Barros' In Senegal, the power in place backed down, but this is only but one battle won. According to Ababacar Fall 'Barros', other conquests are yet to be carried out to create democratic conditions that will help 'barricade the road for the enemies of the people' during the 2012 presidential elections. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/74373 ****** GUINEAN CIVIL SOCIETY SUPPORTS THE STRUGGLE OF THE SENEGALESE PEOPLE The National Council of Organisations of Guinean Civil Society, faithful to its cause of being watchful and in accordance to its values and principles, notably in terms of human rights and democracy, insists on expressing their concern with regards to the events that took place in Dakar on 23 Thursday June 2011. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/74377 ****** ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 10 Cartoons GADDAFI AND SON WANTED BY ICC Gado There are still a few escape routes open... http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/74484 ****** MADAME LAGARDE TAKES OFFICE Gado A fresh start for the new IMF boss? http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/74483 ****** MUSEVENI ALL THE WAY! Gado Nothing will stop Uganda's president... http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/74486 ****** SYRIA'S PRESIDENT ASSAD SEEKS ADVICE FROM AFRICA! Gado Pearls of wisdom from Zimbabwe, Sudan and Uganda... http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/74485 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ Fahamu - Networks For Social Justice http://www.fahamu.org Pambazuka News is published by Fahamu Ltd. © Unless otherwise indicated, all materials published are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. 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