Africa Action: Activism for Africa Since 1953
Interviews 2010
Legislation to Update U.S. Sanctions on Zimbabwe Leadership Introduced in House
August 04 (VOAAfrica) - Sponsored by African-American Congressman Donald Payne and some 35 other representatives, the legislation aims to retune sanctions to reflect political changes such as the national unity government installed in Harare in early 2009
New Kenyan Constitution Ratified
August 06 (VOAAfrica) - Partial results from a referendum in Kenya show that voters overwhelmingly backed a new constitution to replace one from the colonial era. Opponents of the draft constitution have conceded defeat, but they called for immediate consultations on possible amendments.
Africa Unites to Boost Trade
July 27 (Network Journal) -- The five nations in the East African Community (EAC), the regional intergovernmental organization of the Republics of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Burundi, recently implemented new economic rules to boost cross-border employment and trade
France, African Countries Move to Counter al-Qaida-Linked Groups in Africa
July 27 (VOAAfrica) - French and African leaders are pledging to counter al-Qaida-backed violence in East and West Africa with more military force in the aftermath of suicide bombings in Uganda and the killing of a French aid worker in Mali. The United States has also pledged more military help in the continent's widening fight against terrorism. But, some analysts are concerned whether this is the most effective approach.
This Week on Encounter: Al-Shabab - Somalia
July 27 (VOA, Encounter) - Two regional experts discuss the reasons behind the recent bombings in Uganda by the al-Qaida linked Somali insurgent group al-Shabab and what the international community, and the US in particular, should do to bring greater stability to Somalia.
US Africa Policy Linked to Uganda Bombings
July 25 (Uprising Radio) -- After more than 75 civilians were killed in Uganda last week, police in Kenya have announced the arrest of several men believed to be affiliated with a radical Somali organization that took credit for the massacre. The group, Al Shabab, has been linked to Al Qaeda
50th Anniversary Of Independence Under Way in Number of African Countries
July 15 (VOAnews) -- As more than a dozen African countries became independent in 1960, making 2010 the 50th anniversary of their independence, there have been many reflections from heads of state to comedians and Africa experts on what this means.
DC: White House Protesters Call for Action on Sudan's Omar Al-Bashir for Genocide
July 14 (REAL) -- The Sudanese diaspora and a wide range of human rights activists protested outside of the White House today, sometimes during the rain on a hot July afternoon, calling for U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration to take action on the International Criminal Court (ICC) July 12, 2010 warrant against Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir on three charges of genocide.
Armenian Americans Rally for Decisive U.S. Action on Darfur
July 14 (Armenian Weekly) — On July 14, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) joined Voices for Sudan, Africa Action, Hope for Darfur, and anti-genocide advocates from across the country, in marking the second anniversary of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Diamond Council To Meet On Zimbabwe Diamonds
July 13 (VOAnews) -- Diamond industry executives and human rights groups are to meet in St. Petersburg, Russia, this week to try and agree on whether Zimbabwe should be allowed to resume selling diamonds from its Marange fields.
China and Nigeria Ink Major Oil Deal
July 06 (The Network Journal) - Last month the China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), a state-run company, signed a $23 billion deal to build three refineries and a petrochemical complex in Nigeria. With this deal, China positioned itself as one of the largest investors in Africa. According to reports, China is the continent's second-highest trading partner, behind the United States.
Is Obama Failing Congo?
June 29 (DailyBeast/MSN News) - Less than a year ago, Hillary Clinton became the first U.S. secretary of state to visit war-torn regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo--site of the deadliest conflict on the planet since World War II.
Development Advocates Urge G20 to Make Good on Aid Promises
June 23 (VOANews) -- The Group of 20 leading industrialized nations are scheduled to hold their annual meeting this weekend in Toronto, Canada. Ahead of the summit, development advocates say the G20 has made "shockingly little progress" on its commitments to the developing world.
US faith groups give G20 nations failing grade on poverty
June 23 (INSIGHTS) -- An alliance of religious denominations has given the world's richest nations a near-failing grade for their progress on eradicating world poverty.
U.N. Secretary-General To Ask G20 For Additional $60B Over 5 Years For Maternal, Child Health
June 24 (Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he plans to ask the G20 to follow through on aid promises and to commit an additional $60 billion over five years for lowering maternal and child mortality rates worldwide, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.
Western Donors Pledge More Aid to Zimbabwe - But Continue to Bypass Gov't
June 04 (VOANews) -- Western donors said a number of longstanding concerns remain, including the 'continuing lack of respect for the rule of law, protection of fundamental freedoms, and the slow pace of progress in improving governance'
8 Arrested in NYC Protesting Obama’s AIDS Policies
May 14 (Democracy Now!) -- Here in New York, protesters from ACT UP, Africa Action, Global Access Project and other groups rallied outside a Democratic fundraiser last night featuring President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Police arrested eight protesters after they chained themselves together and disrupted traffic.Here in New York, protesters from ACT UP, Africa Action, Global Access Project and other groups rallied outside a Democratic fundraiser last night featuring President Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Police arrested eight protesters after they chained themselves together and disrupted traffic.
UGANDA: U.S. Congress Clears Anti-LRA Bill
May 13 (InterPress Service) -- The U.S. Congress has cleared legislation requiring President Barack Obama to devise a strategy over the next six months to help capture the leadership of the Lord's Revolutionary Army (LRA) and protect the civilian population in four eastern and central African countries from its rampages.
US Senators Push for Greater Flexibility on Zimbabwe Sanctions
May 04 (VOANews) -- Three U.S. senators have introduced a bill to bring a more flexible approach to sanctions against Zimbabwe. Africa Action Executive Director Gerald LeMelle says the Zimbabwe Transition to Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (DEERA), sponsored by Senators Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin), Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia), and John Kerry (D-Massachusetts), is needed to counter the excesses of what he calls Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s lifelong, hardened critics.
World Bank $5.1 Billion Capital Increase Raises China’s Stature
April 26 (Bloomberg) -- World Bank shareholders supported capital increases that will provide $5.1 billion in cash and enhance China’s clout at the agency created after World War II to eradicate poverty.
Activists Dressed as Bankers Attempt to Win a Tug-of-War
April 23 (YahooNews) -- Activists dressed as bankers (R) attempt to win a tug-of-war over half a cent in a stunt aimed to urge the G20 ministers to enact a Finacial Speculation Tax during a demonstration put on by Africa Action near the World Bank in Washington, DC. G20 finance ministers hailed Friday urged governments to draw up "credible" plans to unwind measures taken to tackle the global crisis.
(AFP/Jim Watson)
(AFP/Jim Watson)
Has Nigeria become a failed political entity?
April 19 (FinalCall) - UNITED NATIONS (FinalCall.com) - The UN Security Council is waiting for a report from Francis Deng, a UN special advisor on the prevention of genocide, on whether the recent violence in Jos, a town in Plateau State in central Nigeria constitutes genocide
Zimbabwean Conference
April 16 (VOA News) - Zimbabweans are preparing to mark their country's three decades of independence with festivities that include concerts and dance performances. Here in Washington, a conference is looking at the country's future. Africa Action Executive Director, Gerald LeMelle, says the conference aims to empower Zimbabweans. VOA Ndimyake Mwakalyelye reports.
What Do We See Now in South Africa?
April 13 (YourCallRadio) - Sixteen years ago, the end of apartheid and the establishment of democracy in South Africa inspired the world. So what should we make of the racial and economic tensions troubling South Africa now? How are the challenges of creating a post-colonialist democracy similar or different from those we've faced in the United States? If you were active in opposing apartheid, do you still feel a sense of responsibility to the South African people? It's Your Call, with Rose Aguilar and you.
A Coal Loan Under Fire
April 14 (RollCall) A recent decision by international lenders to underwrite a new South African power plant is setting off a fight among interest groups and Members of Congress, who are at odds over whether the coal-fired facility will help — or pollute — the developing nation.
SOUTH AFRICA: Coal Plant Won't Promote Development, Say Groups
April 10 (Inter Press Service) - "The project generally has been purported as a project that will help poor people, and will it? No," says Michael Stulman of Africa Action.
Zimbabwean President Mugabe Snubs Visiting US Congressman Payne
April 09 (VOA) -- ZANU-PF sources said President Mugabe is bitter that the U.S. administration of President Barack Obama has kept him at arm's length while re-engaging with Prime Minister Tsvangirai, and maintained sanctions against him
World Bank Approves Multi-Billion-Dollar Loan for Coal-Fired Power Plant in South Africa
April 09 (Democracy Now!) -- Desmond D'Sa, South African environmentalist and coordinator of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, talks about his visit in Washington, DC with Africa Action and the World Bank's decision to approve a $3.75 billion loan to Eskom.
World Bank Lends Eskom $3.75 Billion for Power Plant
April 9 (Bloomberg) -- Eskom Holdings Ltd., the state-owned power utility that supplies 95 percent of South Africa’s electricity, was granted a $3.75 billion World Bank loan to help fund expansion aimed at preventing a repeat of 2008 blackouts.
World Bank's $3.75bn coal plant loan defies environment criticism
April 9 (The Guardian) -- The World Bank approved a controversial $3.75bn loan to build one of the world's largest coal plants in South Africa yesterday, defying international protests and sharp criticism from the Obama administration that the project would fuel climate change.
Africa Action and Friends of The Earth protest the Word Bank in Washington
April 8 (UPI/Kevin Dietsch) -- Protestors participate in a rally held by Africa Action and Friends of The Earth against the World Bank's $3.75 billion loan to South African utility company Eskom for the construction of the world's larges coal-fired power plant, in Washington on April 7, 2010.
World Bank Mulls More Funds for Eskom
April 7 (Wall Street Journal) -- Africa Action, Friends of the Earth and other organizations plan to stage a protest across from the World Bank's headquarters Wednesday to put pressure on ...
South Africa Defends Bid for World Bank Loan
April 6 (Wall Street Journal) -- "South Africa's government on Friday defended an application for a $3.75 billion loan from the World Bank as critical to the economy, hitting back at criticism the money will fund a coal-fired power station and increase the country's carbon emissions..."
Africa Action on KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley: Listener Sponsored Free Speech Radio
Click here and listen to Africa Action's analysis on Zimbabwe and the upcoming conference: Dare to Shape the Future.
Coal-Fired Denialism
March 23 (AllAfrica.com) -- With a request for a $3.75 billion World Bank loan for a new coalfired power plant, South African political leaders seem determined to entrench a policy on climate change that disregards clear evidence of catastrophic consequences, echoing the earlier disastrous policies of former President Thabo Mbeki on AIDS. But opposition is mounting to the current plan, which would consolidate South Africa's Eskom as the continent's leading producer of greenhouse gases.
South Africa Defends Bid For World Bank Loan For Power Plant
March 12 (DOW JONES NEWSWIRE) -- South Africa's government Friday defended an application for a $3.75 billion loan from the World Bank as critical to the economy, hitting back at criticism the money will fund a coal-fired power station and increase the country's carbon emissions.
President Obama Extends Sanctions on Zimbabwean President Mugabe & Associates
An Obama statement said 'the crisis constituted by the actions and policies of certain members of government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe’s democratic processes or institutions has not been resolved'
WVON Chicago: The Santita Jackson Show
"Click here to here Gerald LeMelle speak about what's happening in Sudan right now..."
Kaiser Daily Global Health Policy Report: Report Highlights Challenges Facing Obama In Africa
"A new report highlights challenges facing the Obama administration in Africa. Click here to read more..."
New Report Identifies Challenges in Africa for Obama
"A new report says the Obama administration faces key challenges in Africa this year, including poverty, climate change and HIV/AIDS...."
ONE YEAR ON - Has he been good to Africa?
"US President Barack Obama's record on Africa during his first year in the White House is drawing mixed reviews from analysts in Washington and Nairobi. Click here to read more..."
Dennis Brutus: ‘An ironclad sense of solidarity’
"Patrick Bond collates excerpts of testimonials about the late Dennis Brutus, ‘a poet whose work will be celebrated forever, and whose wisdom in so many campaigns for social justice will be sorely missed’, from institutions, individuals and the media..."
South African Broadcasting Corporation:US anti-apartheid activist, Bill Sutherland dies
"...United States anti-apartheid activist Bill Sutherland has died at the age of 91, Africa Action said today. "Bill was a remarkable person and a true pioneer committed to the liberation struggle in Africa and achieving an end to colonialism and global apartheid," the organisation's executive director Gerald LeMelle said in a statement..." Go >
US Anti-Apartheid Activist Dies
"Click here to find an article on a great African American pacifist, Pan African activist elder, and a founder of Africa Action’s first predecessor organization, the American Committee on Africa, Bill Sutherland, who died January 2, 2010. He was 91..."
U.S. Considering Debt Relief for Poor Countries
"Yahoo News: The article, written by journalist Brittany Schell, describes how the Jubilee Act, recently introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives, would expand debt relief for impoverished countries. Click here to find the article online..."
