Black Politics
Africa: A Ban On Child Labor in Africa Is Not Enough
Many children in Africa have to work as domestic helps, on plantations or in prostitution to survive. They are robbed of their childhood and guaranteed a life in poverty if they are kept out of school.
Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire Cocoa Farmers Hold Out for Higher Price
Key cocoa producers in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana have successfully banded together to stop future sales in order to demand higher prices for their raw materials, in an effort to get a fairer share of cocoa revenue.
'The Boondocks' Reboot Confirmed
Creator Aaron McGruder is all set to breathe new life into his cult classic show.
New York State Prepares to Decriminalize Sex Work
In another sign of the impact of its new Democrat majority, the New York State Senate is looking to pass the nation’s first law decriminalizing sex work.
Freedom Rider: The Central Park Five and the Limits of Suffering -- Prosecutors Linda Fairstein (left) and Elizabeth Lederer (right)
Corporate media green-light films that ratchet up an emotional response without motivating anyone to action. As a New Yorker this columnist will never forget the awful events that unfolded in 1989.
Britain’s refusal to hand back Chagos Islands has echoes of colonial-era arrogance
A nation’s military and geo-strategic interests cannot, under international law, prevail over the sovereign rights of other states.
Botswana: High Court Scraps Anti-Gay Laws
Johannesburg — Botswana's High Court has overturned a law criminalizing consensual same-sex relations. Under section 164 of Botswana's Penal Code, same sex relations was an offense that carried a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment.
Africa: 10 Facts On Growing Legal Access to Abortion Worldwide
Vancouver — 26 countries ban abortion outright, even where a woman's life is at risk. These countries are home to 90 million women of reproductive age
Africa: More Countries Need to Give Peaceful Protest the Chance It Deserves
The right of peaceful protest is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in December 1948. Today, this right is recognised in the constitutions of 182 countries. However, we are still far away from universal acceptance of this right in practice.
Sudan: Protesters Call for Civil Disobedience
Protest leaders in Sudan are urging people to participate in acts of civil disobedience to put pressure on the military after the deadly disruption of their recent sit-in.
Connecticut will be first state to collect prosecutor data to study racial bias
Similar efforts to increase prosecutor accountability are under way across the country, with the goal of reducing the nation's high incarceration rate of minorities. HARTFORD, Conn.
Malawi: Protesters Clash with Police as Election Results Challenged
Malawi police used tear gas Thursday to disperse supporters of the opposition Malawi Congress Party protesting President Peter Mutharika's re-election.
Sierra Leone in Political Tensions
A court in Sierra Leone has sparked a deep political crisis after annulling the election of leading opposition lawmakers. A Sierra Leone High Court ruling has cancelled the election of 10 opposition MPs for alleged breaches of the electoral law during the March 2018 legislative polls.
Joe Biden Has Reportedly Lied For Decades About Marching In The Civil Rights Movement
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders might have elicited groans from one audience when he recently repeated his often cited line that he marched with the rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But at least he was telling the truth.
Kenya's President Vows to Push for More Women in Power and End FGM
Vancouver — Kenyatta said Kenya would make it compulsory for parents to send all children to primary and secondary school, which would boost girls' opportunities and empower them to be future leaders Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta promised to push for more women in power, keep all girls in schoo
Africa: The AU Re-takes the Lead in Central Africa
The complexity of the relationship between the AU and regional organisations is evident in the handling of the crisis in the Central African Republic.
Sudan: Activists End Negotiations With Military After Protesters Killed
The Sudanese activist group that had been negotiating with military rulers has called off talks after at least 13 sit-in protesters were killed outside Khartoum's army headquarters on Monday.
“You Next” Project Illustrates The Impact And Influence Of Black Barbershops
Black barbershops have been a central part of Philadelphia native Antonio Johnson’s life. From childhood to adulthood, they’ve always been intertwined in his journey. He has vivid memories of his early experiences in the barbershop. As a child he would arrive there at 6:00 a.m.
“Through the lens of the national liberation struggle”: An Interview with Carl Davidson
Spencer A. Leonard Platypus Review 117 | June 2019 On February 20, 2019, Spencer A. Leonard interviewed veteran of the New Left and New Communist Movement Carl Davidson, who recently edited a collection of “lost writings of SDS” entitled Revolutionary Youth & the New Working Class (2011).
Illinois Becomes 11th State to Legalize Recreational Marijuana
Illinois lawmakers voted to legalize recreational marijuana, becoming the 11th U.S. state to do so and bolstering Governor J.B. Pritzker’s efforts to shore up the finances of the cash-strapped state.
South Sudan Reacts Angrily to Renewed UNSC Sanctions
South Sudan's government is reacting angrily to the United Nations Security Council's move to renew sanctions on that country for another year, including an arms embargo.
Amid Go-Go Fight, D.C. Gentrification Threatens Important Black-Owned Bookstore
The negative effects of gentrification, especially in Black communities, has caused outrage around the country. Washington, D.C.
Activists Unite for Black Reproductive Freedom Rally
A diverse group, led by Black women, climbed the steps of Connecticut’s State Supreme Court last night (May 29) for a Black Reproductive Freedom Rally, Women’s March announced via tweet. .@womensmarchct is LIVE on Facebook at the Black Reproductive Freedom Rally. Tune in: https://t.
Africa: New Organisation Created to Take Up Pan-African Fight Against Corruption
A new think tank founded by Congolese activists has been set up to fight corruption across the African continent. UNIS partners with organisations in various African countries and has already established a set of specific programmes to be carried out on the ground.
African Continental Free Trade Agreement Comes Into Effect
The African continental free trade agreement legally came into effect at midnight, but the countries that have signed up have until July to work out the details of how it will work. It is only from then that we'll start to see what difference it could make.
Africa: World Bank Ramps Up Attack On Small Farmers
"Enabling the Business of Agriculture," promoted by the World Bank, and now enhanced with a new sub-indicator on land policy, is presented as a way to advance agricultural development, particularly in Africa.
Sudan: AFC - First Day of General Strike Unprecedented Success
Sudan — Sudanese professionals, airport, office and factory workers, medical personnel, and civil servants have responded in huge numbers across all sectors and states of Sudan, to the call for a general strike yesterday and today by the Alliance for Freedom and Change (AFC), calling for an immedi
South Africa: How Controversial 'Racist' Research Opens Door for a Decolonisation Drive
There has been justified outrage about a recently published - and hastily retracted - academic article written by academics from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
How An Antiquated Reading of the Law Prevents the Formerly Incarcerated From Voting in Georgia
Tens of thousands of formerly incarcerated Georgia residents are not allowed to vote because of a poorly-worded, unclear law that dates back to the Civil War era, according to NBC News.
Black Census Project Reveals Electorate's Concerns—and Power
Black Futures Lab just released the results of the largest survey of Black people in the United States since Reconstruction.
Everything We Learned Watching Kamala Harris’ Town Hall On MSNBC
The buzz surrounding California Sen. Kamala Harris seemed to be at a fever pitch in the hours following her town hall event on MSNBC Tuesday night in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Abortion Clinic Uses Deceptive "Black Lives Matter" Tactics to Target Afric
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Clarence Thomas’ ‘Misguided’ Anti-Abortion Eugenics Opinion, Explained
The Supreme Court refused to rule Tuesday on the most contentious part of a highly restrictive abortion law in Indiana. But that didn’t stop Justice Clarence Thomas from going on an anti-abortion rant that critics said was embellishment and delivered under false pretenses.
A Call to Bernie Sanders and Cornel West on Reparations: “Black People Can’
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Africa's CFA Franc - Colonial Relic or Stabilizing Force?
Some praise the French-backed CFA franc for its stability, others denounce it as a colonial hangover. The benefits and drawbacks of Africa's CFA currencies are being more hotly disputed than ever before.
Malawi: Us Warns Its Citizens Over Post Poll Violence in Malawi
US government has warned its citizens in Lilongwe to stay at home because of anticipated post-election violence.
South Africa: The Seven Things New Leaders Need to Do to Fix South Africa
South Africa's new national government and nine new provincial executives have taken office following recent elections. They all have a huge job to do, and it cannot be business as usual.
Malawi: Protesters March Against Poll Results
Scores of protesters are marching against the outcome of a parliamentary election results in Chikwawa central. Supporters of a losing candidate George Chuma said the winning candidate Salim Bagus manipulated the poll results.
Black Male Media Project Empowers Black Men To Reclaim Their Narratives
The National Association of Black Journalists is on a mission to combat the negative portrayals of Black men in the media. For the third consecutive year, the organization will host its “Black Male Media Project” as an avenue to empower and inspire Black men to reclaim their narratives.
Uganda: Germany Withholds Aid Money From Uganda
In 2018, the United Nations found that millions of dollars of aid money had been stolen in Uganda. Now Germany has partially stopped its funding in a bid to force Uganda to speed up investigations.
South Africa: Xenophobia Erodes South Africa's Leadership Potential
President Cyril Ramaphosa's inauguration, scheduled to coincide with Africa Day on 25 May this year, intends to highlight 'government's commitment to advancing the African agenda and to strengthening ties between South Africa and its neighbours', according to The Presidency.
Africa: Algeria, Sudan and the Power of Protest
In the past two months, historic anti-government protests across Algeria and Sudan have forced their ageing autocrats to resign after decades of repressive rule.
Louisiana City Is Reconsidering Its “Saggy Pants” Law After Black Man Shot By Police
In February, Anthony Childs was shot and killed in Shreveport, Louisiana after a confrontation with police over his sagging pants. Now one councilwoman wants to get rid of a 2007 law that made it illegal for people to wear pants below the waist, which triggered confrontation in the first place.
Bernie Sanders Uses Pamela Turner’s Police Shooting In New Campaign Ad
The only presidential candidate to seemingly even acknowledge last week’s police shooting that killed an unarmed Black grandmother in Texas has made that controversial death the centerpiece of a new campaign ad.
A Space For Creators: The New Home For Black Voices
The community made it clear that there is a demand to hear more from uninterrupted, black voices… check out A Space For Creators for some wish fulfillment. The entertainment landscape is changing rapidly. A growing wave of multicultural content appears to be hitting its stride.
The World Made Promises to Women and Girls, We Must Fulfil Them
Ambassador Monica Juma is the Cabinet Secretary (Minister), of Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. - In 1994 the International Conference and Population and Development (ICPD) was hosted in Cairo by the Government of Egypt.
Kenya: High Court Declines to Decriminalise Gay Sex Law
The High Court on Friday declined to decriminalise the law against gay sex, judges saying phrases used in the penal code are clear and disclose offences known in law. They said a statue is not rendered vague for lack of a definition.
Malawi: Observers Note Problems in Malawi Elections
Foreign observers of Malawi's presidential, parliamentary and local elections issued a preliminary assessment Thursday, saying that although the process was peaceful, it lacked a level playing field.
Africa: Will Free Trade Be Africa's Economic Game Changer?
The ambitious African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which technically enters into force on 30 May could be the game changer for Africa's hitherto lackluster economy. Driven by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, the process of reaching this point may well have broken all African records.
Women & Youth Remain Politically Underrepresented in Africa's Most Populous Nation : Inter Press Service
Africa, Democracy, Featured, Gender, Global, Headlines, Human Rights, Poverty & SDGs, TerraViva United Nations, Women in Politics Ulrich Thum is the Resident Representative of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung office in Abuja, Nigeria.
Mauritius: UN Orders UK to End 'Colonial' Rule of Chagos Islands
Britain separated the Indian Ocean islands from Mauritius in 1965. The UK and the US both have major military bases on the largest island.
Second Chance Pell Experiment Expands Education Behind Bars
The Department of Education (DOE) announced Monday (May 20) that it will expand the Second Chance Pell Experimental Sites Initiative, which allows people experiencing financial hardship and incarceration in certain states to receive need-based Pell Grants for college-level courses.
Police Use Of Force Deal Reached By California Lawmakers Seeks To Rein In Fatal Encounters With Officers
Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool – though not necessarily by choice. Now, he leads Capital Public Radio’s state Capitol coverage, which airs on NPR stations across California. Read Full Bio
House endorses bill requiring courses on black, Latino history
African-American, Puerto Rican and Latino studies would become part of every school district’s high school curriculum starting in 2021 under a bill passed Wednesday by the House.
UN says Britain must give up the Chagos Islands
The UN is demanding that Britain return control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The non-binding General Assembly resolution passed 116 to six, with France, Germany and 54 other countries abstaining.
Africa: This is How Universal Health Coverage Led to Algeria Being Malaria-Free
Johannesburg — Algeria is now the second African country after Mauritius to be officially recognized by the World Health Organisation as malaria-free. The certification is granted when a country proves that it has interrupted indigenous transmission of the disease for at least 3 consecutive years.
Poverty, policy and economic ruin? The true folly of neoliberalism
- No matter which approach is used, every method of measurement shows inequality has risen in Bangladesh (at least) over the last 10 years.
Somalia: US Jury: Former Somali Colonel Responsible for Torture
A former colonel who served decades ago in the Somali National Army was convicted Tuesday in a U.S. court of being responsible for the torture of a teenager in 1987. Yusuf Abdi Ali, who now lives in Alexandria, Virginia, served under Dictator Siad Barre.
Nigeria: Militant Threatens to Declare Niger Delta Republic June 1
Warri — A militant group, Network of Niger Delta Republic Fighters, has threatened to declare a sovereign state of Niger Delta on June 1, 2019.
Nigerian Govt Protests New U.S. Visa Policy
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, says the federal government has engaged the U.S. government to make the issue of visa issuance less difficult for genuine Nigerian visitors to America.
Mozambique: Opinion - Why Digital Land Rights Records Matter: Lessons From Cyclone Idai
Tropical Cyclone Idai made landfall in Beira, the second largest city in Mozambique on March 14, 2019. The cyclone is considered one of the worst disasters to ever strike the Southern Hemisphere and destroyed almost everything in its path.
Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin's Mother, Runs for Office
Sybrina Fulton, the mother of unarmed slain teenager Trayvon Martin, announced on Sunday (May 19) that she is running to become Miami-Dade County’s district 1 commissioner.
Democrats Roast Ben Carson As House Grills Him About Immigrants In Public Housing
A serious House hearing teetered on the inane as Democratic members of Congress took turns grilling Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson on Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon.
Kamala Harris Debuts Plan to End Gender Wage Gap
Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) introduced a new plan yesterday (May 20) to close the gender pay gap, should she become president. It’s an outrage that women have to work more hours to pay off their student debt.
Beware of China's New Colonialism
America is slowly awakening to the growing menace of China’s plans for economic supremacy. In 2013 Chinese President Xi Jingping launched an international investment program that became known as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
U.S. Black-Owned Law Firm Expands Its Practice to Africa, Representing Pers
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Nigeria: World Bank Gives Nigeria 30 Years to Repay $350m Rural Power Fund
Nigeria will have about 30 years to repay the World Bank the $350 million it borrowed from it to fund the expansion of access and supply of electricity to rural communities, educational institutions and underserved micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country under the Nigerian Electri
Africa: Countries Fail Again to Agree On Trade Access
Africa's plans to open up a market of more than 600 million people in April this year suffered another setback after countries failed to approve the tripartite free trade area (TFTA) within the set timeline.
South Sudan: Mutual Mistrust Stalls Peace Deal for a Further Six Months
Now that the implementation of South Sudan's shaky peace agreement has officially been delayed by six months, worries are mounting that a half year leaves enough time for things to go badly wrong in a country where suspicion between the warring parties runs deep.
Africa: The Christchurch Call Could Potentially Be Used to Clamp Down On Legitimate Political Dissent in Africa
Eighteen countries, including Senegal, have endorsed New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's 'Christchurch Call', aimed at curbing the online spread of extremist and terrorist material.
Central African Republic: First Aid in Years Lifts Hope for Cut-Off Towns in Central African Republic
Dakar — Since heavy fighting broke out in 2017 the road to Mingala has been blocked by armed groups who set up checkpoints to collect taxes, aid workers said Aid workers have negotiated with fighters to enter a remote part of Central African Republic (CAR) for the first time in years, raising hope
Africa: Disaster Displacement Is a 21st Century Challenge
Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation. Mami Mizutori is the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction. Alexandra Bilak is the Director of the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre.
Africa: Reimagining Utilities As a Way to End Energy Poverty
Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation. Selestino Babungi is managing director and CEO of Umeme. Kristina Skierka is CEO of Power for All.
East Africa: EA Govts Using Punitive Laws to Rein in Civil Society, Gravely Hurting Democracy
Nearly all governments in East Africa have enacted punitive laws targeting the civic space over the past decade, a squeezing people's freedoms and curtailing human-rights in the region, a newly published report says.
Rwanda: Inside Rwanda's War on Human Trafficking
About a year ago an acquaintance approached Dative Uwingeneye (not real name) with a "solid" offer of a decent job in Kuwait, Western Asia.
Nigeria: Who Sold Nigeria to the British for £865k in 1899?
This is the story of the first oil war, which was fought in the 19th century, in the area that became Nigeria. All through the 19th century, palm oil was highly sought-after by the British, for use as an industrial lubricant for machinery.
Billionaire Robert F. Smith Pledges To Eliminate Student Loan Debt For Morehouse’s Class Of 2019
Graduates of Morehouse College received the gift of a lifetime at their commencement ceremony on Sunday morning. According to CNN, philanthropist and billionaire Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off the student loan debt for the entire 2019 graduating class.
Sudan Army Rulers Say Talks With Protesters to Resume Sunday
Sudan's army rulers announced talks will resume with protest leaders Sunday, four days after the generals suspended negotiations on implementing civilian rule in the country.
LeBron James Aims To Combat Hunger In Underserved Communities
Food insecurity has become an ever-growing issue within underserved communities across the country. Research showed that in 2017 nearly 40 million Americans—including over 12 million youngsters—lacked access to food. NBA star LeBron James is determined to reverse that alarming trend.
Why We Can't Afford to Leave Race Out of School Funding Conversations [Op-Ed]
Sixty-five years ago, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.
NAACP Opposes Federal Judicial Nominee, Senate Confirms Her Anyway
As the nation approaches the 65th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education tomorrow (May 17), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is trying to prevent the nation from reversing progress.
Liberia: The Struggle for Land Security in Liberia Is Just Beginning
Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation. In 2016, I fled my native Liberia to avoid being arrested.
Sudan: Protesters Vow to Press On After Talks Suspended
Sudan's army ruler General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has suspended crucial talks with demonstrators over the transition to civilian rule. Protesters expressed disappointment and vowed to press on with their sit-in in the capital Khartoum, despite being targeted in fresh violence.
Africa: Facebook Bans Israeli Firm That Ran Campaigns to Disrupt Elections
Cape Town — Facebook has removed hundreds of fake pages, groups, and accounts that it says were run by an Israeli firm that was targeting countries in Africa, CNN reports. CNN reports that the company, Archimedes Group, spent more than U.S.$800,000 running Facebook ads.
Founded On Racism, The SAT Wants ‘Adversity Scores’ To Make Things Right
There were some questions about how effective the Scholastic Aptitude Test’s (SAT) new “adversity scores” could be given the test’s racist origins.
Take Notes, Celebs! Halle Berry Refuses To Ignore Black Reporters On The Red Carpet
For any Black folks who work in media, you know the struggle of getting access to celebrities — even other Black celebrities. In press rooms or red carpets there are usually only one or two Black reporters and they are pushed all the way in back.
Facebook shut down a network of fake accounts that targeted African elections—from Israel
As part of its fight to root out fake news and misinformation, Facebook is also going after networks of fake accounts.
How bad prosecutors fuel America’s mass incarceration problem
There are a lot of reasons why America’s criminal justice system is broken, but if Emily Bazelon is right, one of the biggest is overzealous prosecutors. A legal reporter for Time magazine, Bazelon explores the near-unregulated power of American prosecutors in her new book, Charged.
Morocco: Law Misused to Silence Reporters
New York — Moroccan authorities are using a law designed to keep people from falsely claiming professional credentials to bring criminal charges against people trying to expose abuses, Human Rights Watch said today.
READ: Andrew Gillum Slams Florida Leaders for Taxing Formerly Incarcerated at the Polls
Former Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum (D) wrote an op-ed for the Miami Herald where he expressed his outrage over a new bill awaiting a signature from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) that effectively rolls back the language of the state’s Voting Restoration Amendment, also known as Amendment 4
How Alabama’s Abortion Ban Will Hurt Black Women The Most
Republicans are attacking a woman’s right to choose. And if you think their anti-abortion platform will have no effect on Black communities, think again. The Alabama Senate on Tuesday passed the most restrictive abortion ban in the country. Gov.
Africa: A New 'Climate Strike' - Opting for No Children As Climate Fears Grow
London — German schoolteacher Verena Brunschweiger decided shortly after her marriage not to have children - not because she did not want them but because she felt she could not justify the climate damage caused by adding to the planet's population.
Nigeria: How Using the Military in Nigeria Is Causing, Not Solving Problems
Governments have a responsibility to protect their citizens against external aggression and internal violence. The first is usually the responsibility of the military. The second duty falls on the police.
Cameroon: Hope for Western Cameroon As Biya Finally Talks Peace
Cameroon president Paul Biya is preparing to call a caucus on ending the conflict in the english speaking regions of the country where separatists have been fighting government forces for close to two years.
Crystal Mason Speaks Out For The First Time Since Being In Federal Custody
Over the weekend, many people rejoiced thinking Crystal Mason was released from federal custody for voting while on supervised release in November of 2016. However, as NewsOne reported Monday, she was still in federal custody, serving the remaining three months of her sentence at a halfway house.
Does Your City Employ Environmental Justice Best Practices?
As report after report confirms that communities of color suffer disproportionately more from toxic air and other environmental hazards, a study released earlier this year examines the policies cities can adopt to save lives.
The Trump administration makes its first move in clamping down on US visas for Nigerians
Nigeria accounted for over 25% of non-immigrant visas issued to Africans in 2018 alone—but that may be set to change. The United States embassy has announced an immediate indefinite suspension of interview waivers for visa renewals for applicants in Nigeria.
Hollywood Reacts to Georgia Abortion Law
Last week (May 7), Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed the “Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act,” the state’s restrictive abortion law that prohibits the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy. It is set to go into effect January 1, 2020, but Hollywood—which spent $2.
Sudan: Here Are the Key Hurdles Sudan Must Clear to Install Democracy
Sudan is no stranger to uprisings. After months of protest a massive civilian uprising finally ousted former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir from power. He had been president for 30 years and, in the wake of his ouster, has been charged in connection with the deaths of protesters.
South Africa: Energy Sector Can Contribute Towards Economic Growth
While challenges remain in South Africa's energy sector, Energy Minister Jeff Radebe is confident that the sector is poised for growth, if invested in. "The South African energy sector is poised to grow.
Man Awarded $60K After Being Arrested for Refusing to Give Police His Name
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This was probably the last chance for president Ramaphosa to save the party of Mandela
The African National Congress (ANC) will govern South Africa for another five years. But this sixth victory of the democratic era since 1994 was hard-won. For the first time in a national election its share of the vote dropped beneath 60% to come in at 57.5%.
Liberia: Redeeming the Liberian Nation
Monrovia — Since the end of the Liberian Civil war, successive governments have ignored attempts to bring to closure the experiences of the conflict.
Sudan: The Growing Power Gap
It has been more than four weeks since former President Omar Al-Bashir was deposed, but still the alternative did not take shape yet, thus creating a power vacuum that will have its impact on the way the country takes its future steps.
South Africa is the latest country to see a democratic swing to populism over liberal politics
Meanwhile, a populist party that was born just before the previous election has shot to success in the polls with over 10% of the vote.
Africa: Democracy and Elections in Contemporary Africa
document I was here in 2015 to speak at the Oxford Africa Conference on "A Continent on the Move: People, Politics and Business Across Borders.
Sudan: How the West Influenced Overthrow of Sudanese President
Khartoum — A PLOY by influential Western nations and their allies to destabilise Sudan and effect regime change has been unearthed, amid reports now-ousted President, Omar al-Bashir ignored warnings by experts about the threat of a revolution in the country.
We have Stolen His Land. Now We Must Steal His Limb
From the desk of the Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. - (Tricontinental) – When the late South African artist Tito Zungu wanted to depict the world of the migrant labourer, he settled on the envelope.
Lyft and Uber Drivers Strike, Ask Riders to Close Apps
Today (May 8), drivers of rideshare apps are boycotting in conjunction with the Los Angeles Rideshare Strike and National Day of Action.
Congo-Kinshasa: Hijacking the Congolese People's Victory
The Congolese people were determined to rid themselves of Joseph Kabila’s regime on 30 December 2018, the date of the presidential, legislative and provincial elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
South Sudan: A Critical Six Months for South Sudan
South Sudan's rival parties have temporarily salvaged prospects for peace, agreeing a six-month deadline extension to allow for the formation of a unity government.
Sudan Protesters Call for Civil Disobedience Campaign
Protesters in Sudan have threatened acts of civil disobedience after the army partially rejected proposals for civilian rule. Demonstrators believe the army is delaying the transition to a civilian government.
South Africa: Hope, Promise and Folly - What South Africa's Embrace of Kiswahili Means
South Africa's relationship with the rest of Africa is often conflicted. The decision to teach Kiswahili in schools gives a glimpse into what could be. This is the third article in the seven-part series Living In Translation about language and identity.
Supermajority: Cecile Richards Teams With Alicia Garza & Ai-jen Poo to Mobilize Women Voters in 2020
As the 2020 primary and general election season heats up, we speak with former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards about Supermajority, the new political action group she helped launch that aims to train a new generation of women activists to take on grassroots campaigns and electoral polit
Africa: Nu Tou Creole - Are We Mauritians Really African?
The Kreol language binds Mauritius' diverse communities together and links us all, inescapably, to our country's African origins. This is the fourth article in the seven-part series Living In Translation about language and identity.
EPA Reverses Rule That Curbed Power Plants From Releasing Toxins in Communities of Color
In 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a directive known as the Startup, Shutdown and Malfunction Rule (SSM).
Kenya Among Our Strongest World Partners, U.S. Official Says
Kenyan and US officials signed documents in Washington on Tuesday that outline plans to raise bilateral relations to what a US diplomat called "a new level.
Inside a Louisiana Town's Fight Against Environmental Racism
The southern Louisiana parish of St. John the Baptist has been dubbed “Cancer Alley” by environmentalists because of its high concentration of toxic air that contains carcinogens.
South Africa's Poll Is More About Battles in the ANC Than Between Political Parties
South Africans are about to vote in the most competitive election they've had since democracy began in 1994.
Sudan: How Sudan's Economic Crisis Had a Role in Protests That Toppled Al-Bashir
The trigger for the demonstrations that brought the downfall of President Omar al-Bashir in April was the trebling of the price of bread last December. It came after a major devaluation of the Sudanese pound in an effort to make the official rate for the pound drop to that of the black market.
Councilman Defends Georgia Mayor’s Racism Toward Black Job Applicant
A Georgia mayor was feeling the heat after it was revealed that she rejected a Black man’s application because of his race. Now a city councilman has claimed she was doing the applicant a favor.
Nigeria: Beyond Minimum Wage - The Limits of Populism and the Need for Fundamental Economic Reforms
Abuja — On May 1, our country celebrated Workers Day. This occasion presents an opportunity to consider the situation of the common man or woman in our country, the role of the labour movement in our political economy, and the undoubtedly weak state of the Nigerian economy today.
Sudan Uprising - Mass Action Continues to Grow
Sudan — In the fourth week of the Sudanese sit-in in front of the General Command of the Sudanese army in Khartoum and military units in the states, hundreds of thousands of people participated in the March of Millions for Freedom and Change in various parts of Sudan, and a number of states callin
Kenya: A 'Million' to March in Nairobi in Endless Fight Against Corruption
A group of activists calling itself 'Kenyans for Kenya Movement' is organizing a march against corruption in Nairobi's Central Business District. In a poster making rounds on social media indicates that the march is being planned for May 31, 2019 at the Geevanjee Gardens.
Sudanese Women Are Using Social Media to Trade - and Break Gender Barriers
The role of women in the recent protests in Sudan has attracted a great deal of attention. This is because women who try to have a prominent public role in the country face criticism and can be accused of neglecting their family duties.
Africa: New Fund to Support Transitional Justice Efforts In Africa
Chicago, April 30 — The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation today announced the launch of the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund to help support the implementation of transitional justice efforts in Africa, including the continent's new African Union Transitional Justice Policy.
White high school student named salutatorian over black student with better grades, federal lawsuit claims
An African American woman filed a federal lawsuit against a recently desegregated Mississippi school district last week, claiming a white student was named salutatorian of their graduating class despite having a lower grade-point average.
28-Year Old Mayor is Giving Low Income Residents in His City $500 a Month S
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The Racist Roots of Denying Incarcerated People Their Right to Vote
“Do you want the Boston marathon bomber to vote?” is a provocative question that acts as a smokescreen concealing the real issue — why and when did America decide that people convicted of a crime should not vote?The historical context for this comes from old English common law which justified
Race still permeates South Africa’s politics 25 years after apartheid’s end
It would be surprising if race played no part in South African elections. The country’s colonial and apartheid past ranked alongside the America’s Deep South as among the most racist social orders in the world.
Uneducated Whites Hellbent On Voting Against Their Own Interests, According To Polls
The most recent polls have been released and show despite the disastrous tax code, plants like General Motors laying off thousands of people and the coal industry is crashing, despite 45’s promises — uneducated white voters are unwavering in their support of Trump.
Liberia: Charles Taylor - the Monkey On Ellen's Back
During a recent visit to South Africa, former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf sat down for an interview with the eNCA, an online television channel - and then abruptly walked off the set.
New Report Shows Historic Turnout Despite Voter Suppression in 2018 Midterms
The 2018 midterms will be remembered as a landmark election, with more than half of eligible voters showing up to cast ballots. According to a new Pew Research Center analysis, the voter turnout rate was the highest in 30 years for a midterm election.
West Africa: Merkel 'Grilled' By Students Over Sahel Weapons Exports
During her West Africa trip, Chancellor Angela Merkel faced a student's question on why the region's armies are weaker than terrorists. From Burkina Faso she flew to Mali, where German UN troops are deployed.
Africa: Threats to Press Freedom Are Taking On Different Forms Across Africa
Africa buried two of its journalists in 2018. One was killed in Somalia and the other in the Central African Republic. According to a report by the Committee to Protect Journalists, 54 journalists were killed around the world in that same year.
Gambia: British Company to Explore Oil, Gas in Gambia
A petroleum exploration contract has been signed between the government of The Gambia and BP Plc. This gives legal rights to the British company to explore oil and gas potentials in block A1 in off-shore Gambia.
Future of Our Planet Requires Deeper Cooperation, Long-term Thinking
- For most of the 7 billion people on the planet, global institutions are remote, far removed from their day to day existence. Yet, our global institutions matter.
Nigeria: Dutch Court Rules Against Shell, in Favour of Wives of Slain Ogoni Leaders
The women, including Esther Kiobel, sued Shell for its alleged role in the unlawful arrest, detention and execution of their husbands by the Nigerian military. The killings occurred in 1995 during the regime of the late military dictator, Sani Abacha.
Sudan: AU Peace and Security Council Gives Sudan Junta 60-Day 'Final Extension' to Hand-Over to Civilian Govt
Tunis — The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) has granted Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC), a 'final extension' of two months, to hand-over power to a transitional civilian government, or face suspension.
Cuba and Trotskyism’s breakdown
“THE REVOLUTION MAROONED,” published in the Platypus Review #114,[1] contains valuable observations on the heroism and tragedy of the Cuban revolution. It also demonstrates how Trotskyist methodology has lost the ability to explain the present convincingly.
White America Is Panicking As The Country Steadily Becomes Browner
Since the settlement of Jamestown in 1607 and the start of the Colonial period, the U.S. has been predominantly white. But the white share of the U.S. population has been dropping, from a little under 90% in 1950 to 60% in 2018. It will likely drop below 50% in another 25 years.
What’s Next For Stacey Abrams?
Stacey Abrams may have disappointed some Democrats with her announcement that she wouldn't be running for the Senate in Georgia, but she has tons of other options.
Namibia: We Don't Want Things Imposed On Us - Chief Kooper
THE communities affected by the 1904-1908 genocide want to negotiate reparations with Germany themselves as they do not want something imposed on them by the government, the Nama Traditional Leaders Association's chairperson, Petrus Kooper, says.
Angela Davis: I Would Like to Accept Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Award After BDS Controversy
In February, Angela Davis returned to her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. She originally planned the visit to receive the Fred L.
Angela Davis & Barbara Ransby: We Stand with Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Courageous, Bold Black Woman
AMY GOODMAN: Two of the founders of Black Lives Matter, as well as professor Angela Davis and scores of other black women, are holding a rally today on Capitol Hill to defend Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and to urge Congress to censure President Trump for his attacks on her.
Africa: Entrepreneurship Funds in Africa - Distinguishing the Good From the Bad
Entrepreneurs have a pivotal role to play in Africa's unemployment crisis. Today over a third of the continent's young workforce (those aged 15-35) are unemployed. Another third are in vulnerable employment.
Debate Rages Over Whether Black Women Support Bernie Sanders
The lingering question of how much support Bernie Sanders has from Black women voters was exacerbated last week during his appearance at the She the People Presidential Forum in Houston last week.
Kenya and Ethiopia Cross-Border Initiative: A Move Towards Sustainable Peace
- Many years of internecine conflict is being replaced by a new narrative of peace along the Kenya-Ethiopia border. Communities that once fought each other are now dreaming of a joint journey towards a better future.
Renewables to Become the Norm for the Caribbean
- Jamaica and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are embracing renewable energy as part of their plans to become decarbonised in the coming decades. The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, has committed the island nation to transitioning to 50 percent renewable energy by 2030.
Sudan: More Than 50 Killed, 7,000+ Injured in Sudan Protests So Far
Khartoum — A total of 53 people have been killed during the protest actions against the government of former President Omar Al Bashir, who was ousted on April 11. More than 7,000 protesters and others were injured, according to the head of the Khartoum state Ministry of Health.
Sudan: Will the Military or the People Lead Sudan?
Sudan has seen more change in the last four months than in the previous 30 years, and there is now a mixture of euphoria and caution about the future, following the removal of Omar Al Bashir.
Africa: It's All Systems Go As AU Commission Prepares for Single Market Launch in July
The African Continental Free Trade Area will enter into force during the next African Union Summit slated for Niamey, Niger, in July.
Africa: Reporting On China in Africa Is Too Binary. What Needs to Be Done to Fix It
China's involvement in many parts of Africa is expanding. Several milestones have been reached in recent years. These include China becoming the continent's largest trading partner in 2009 and the opening of the country's first overseas military base in Djibouti in 2017.
Nigeria: Shell Involvement in Execution of 'Ogoni Nine' in Nigeria to Be Decided By Court
press release A Dutch court will this week (Wednesday 1 May) rule on an historic case against Shell, in which the oil giant stands accused of instigating a raft of horrifying human rights violations committed by the Nigerian government against the Ogoni people.
From Crime Bill to Iraq War Vote, Biden’s Legislative History Under Scrutiny as He Enters Race
AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now! I’m Amy Goodman, with Nermeen Shaikh.
Ida B. Wells Society Empowers The Next Generation Of Black Investigative Journalists
Ida B. Wells was one of the most revered investigative journalists in American history and those at the helm of an organization created in her honor are ensuring that her legacy lives on through the next generation of reporters. According to the Philadelphia Tribune, the Ida B.
MSNBC Special Tackles Race and Politics as Election Season Heats Up
Hosted by Reverend Al Sharpton, “Not Just Black and White: Race and the 2020 Election” will feature an interview with Stacey Abrams and 13 of the people running for president.
Joe Biden Refuses To Say Sorry To Anita Hill On ‘The View’
Joe Biden probably dug himself an even deeper hole with Black women voters in particular after he just couldn’t bring himself to say sorry to Anita Hill for how he treated her during the Supreme Court confirmation hearing for Clarence Thomas in 1991.
Africa’s resource-rich nations are getting even more reliant on China for their exports
The relationship between China and the world is under focus again this week.
Africa: Why Women's Involvement Is So Vital to Water Projects' Success - or Failure
When thinking about water management, gender is probably the last thing on many people's minds. But in fact, the whole process of water management - technology choices, decision making, implementation, benefits and risks are all gendered.
Brooklyn's Newest Monument Honors Shirley Chisholm
There are very few public monuments to women in Brooklyn, New York, which would have undoubtedly roused Shirley Chisholm to action.
The Mueller Report Is A Look At How White Power Works In 2019
If you want to look at the state of race relations when America was founded, look no further than the Constitution, which detailed how Black people would be counted as three-fifths of an actual human.
Sudan: Transition - Two Broad Factors That Will Determine What Happens Now
How will infighting among Sudan's vested interests play out? Can the protesters be divided? Many rank-and-file soldiers have vowed to protect the protesters against attacks as the Sudan transition continues. Credit: M.Saleh.
There Is a Scottsboro in Every Country
The “Black Belt” was a vision of a sovereign black nation within the southern United States. When we speak about a future in which all black people in America can be free, it’s hard to picture how, exactly, that freedom might look.
Court Blocks Trump Administration's Abortion 'Gag Rule'
Less than two weeks before the abortion “gag rule” was scheduled to go into effect across the United States, a federal judge has temporarily blocked it. Yesterday (April 23), Judge Michael McShane in the U.S.
Sudan: Formulation of Transitional Civil Government
The Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change have arrived at a final conceptual framework for the structural functions of the Transitional Civil Authority.
New Study Finds Global Wealth Inequality Is Tied to Climate Change
As the world continues to see higher temperatures as a result of climate change, a new study says that some countries are actually increasing their wealth as their temperatures rise.
Baltimore Writer D. Watkins: “We Speak for Ourselves: A Word from Forgotten Black America”
“We Speak for Ourselves: A Word from Forgotten Black America.” That’s the name of a new book by D. Watkins that amplifies the experiences of poor black Americans typically sidelined by the public and the media—including his own life story.
Johns Hopkins Students Enter Week 3 of Sit-In Protesting ICE Contracts & Plan for Armed Campus Cops
Students at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, have entered their 21st day of a sit-in occupation of their campus administration building to protest the university’s plans for an armed police force on campus, as well as Johns Hopkins’s contracts with Immigrations and Customs Enforc
The One Story: How The Marijuana Industry, Advocacy And Activism Go Hand In Hand
“This is a generational wealth builder." The One Story Written By | 04.23.
The Black Women Who Are Going Green
Some African American women see the cannabis industry not just a way to build a wealth, but also to put restorative justice in action. The One Story Written By | 04.23.
Africa: Are Africans Freedoms Slipping Away?
press release Freedom slipping? Africa’s closing political space marked by less freedom and a willingness to trade liberties for security Africans see their individual freedoms diminishing, and many are willing to give up at least some liberties in the name of security, new Afrobarometer survey fi
Flint Residents Get Greenlight to Sue EPA
As Flint, Michigan, continues to recover from the water crisis that began in 2014, the courts have given residents another way to fight back.
Elizabeth Warren Believes She Can Fix The Black Student Loan Debt Crisis
The student loan debt crisis has hit African-Americans the hardest, and Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren says she knows how to fix that glaring racial discrepancy.
Zimbabwe’s plan to compensate white farmers is facing a backlash from party loyalists and the farmers
Zimbabwe’s latest plan to compensate white commercial farmers who lost land during the fast track Land Reform Program 19 years ago has run into trouble.
Sudan Protesters Suspend Talks With Military Leadership
The military seized power earlier this month from President Omar al-Bashir. Protesters campaigning for a return to civilian rule have called off talks with the interim leaders, urging supporters to step up their rallies.
African Asylum-Seekers Could Bear Brunt of U.S. Proposed Travel Curbs
As the White House mulls new travel restrictions on countries with high visa overstay rates, activists say African asylum-seekers may feel the consequences.
Sudan: Delegation to Visit U.S. to Discuss Removal from Terror List
A Sudanese delegation is expected to visit the United States for talks aimed at getting Sudan removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Sudan: Statement on Formulation of Transitional Civil Government
Khartoum — Joint Statement by the Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change on the Formulation of Transitional Civil Government. The Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change have arrived at a final conceptual framework for the structural functions of the Transitional Civil Authority.
Nigeria: Niger Delta Women Regroup Again, Speak On Their Agitations
WOMEN drawn from Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross- River States in Niger Delta took a striking step at the 12th Niger Delta Dialogue held in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, last week.
Africa: How the BUILD Act Can Invigorate U.S. Economic Ties
Since the U.S. BUILD Act was signed into law last October, many people across Africa as well as members of the Africa Diaspora have been asking what this global initiative might do to help revitalize American engagement with the continent. The answer is: quite a lot!
Nigeria, Niger Sign Anti-Human Trafficking Pact
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and its Niger Republic counterpart have signed a pact to eliminate the menace in both countries.
Women in Ethiopia Still Struggle Despite Leadership in Government
- Following 2018 elections in Ethiopia, a record-breaking number of women now hold leadership positions in the country’s government. But women still struggle to rise up the ranks in other sectors.
Ethiopia's Digital Economy: Boom, Bang
A flourishing digital economy is a new feature in the dynamics of the new Ethiopia.
Zimbabwe: The Invisible Trauma of Women in Zimbabwe's Liberation Struggle
The narrative of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle focuses on the heroism and exploits of men, largely ignoring the experiences of many young women in liberation camps and the discrimination and abuse they suffered at the hands of male soldiers, says Mako Muzenda When Flame premiered in 1996, the Zimba
Movement To Block Courts From Suspending Driver’s Licenses From Poor People Takes A Huge Step
Criminal justice reform system advocates are celebrating a victory in their battle to stop courts from suspending driver’s licenses of low-income people who can’t afford to pay their court fines.
Philadelphia DA Grants Mumia Abu-Jamal Another Chance At Freedom Over ‘An Appearance Of Bias’
There might be justice for activist Mumia Abu-Jamal. He will receive a new hearing. The Associated Press reports, “District Attorney Larry Krasner initially fought Tucker’s order, fearing it could affect a large number of convictions.
Sudan looks to lessons from the Arab Spring to balance civilian demands and military rule
The future of Sudan is hanging in the balance. After months of protests, the military last week removed and locked up strongman Omar al-Bashir, ending his three-decade rule over the northeast African state.
Cote d'Ivoire: Ivanka Trump Announces U.S.$2Million for Women in Cocoa Industry
U.S. President Donald's Trump's daughter and senior White House adviser, Ivanka Trump, has announced a $2 million commitment to help women in Ivory Coast’s cocoa industry.
South Africa: How Portrayal of Protest in South Africa Denigrates Poor People
Poor people in South Africa often feel that the only way they can be heard is to protest. The past few days have shown that not even this gets them a hearing. Protests in the townships and shack settlements where most poor people live in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Cape Town are in the news.
Kenya: Somali Elders Join Mission to Free Abducted Cuban Doctors
Kenyan Somali elders' mission to negotiate the release of two abducted Cuban doctors with their counterparts in Somalia has placed focus on just how much power they wield.
Mali: Another Setback for Stability in Mali
On 5 April, thousands of Malians took to the streets of Bamako to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maïga and the departure of foreign forces from the country.
South Africa: Student Resistance in South Africa - the Saso Nine Trial and Steve Biko
Student protests swept across South African campuses in 2015 and 2016 under the banner of #FeesMustFall. The protests revitalised public interest in student politics. My recently published book, Limpopo's Legacy offers a historical perspective on these events.
With New Bill, Tennessee Tries To Out Do Georgia In Suppressing The Black Vote
Tennessee state legislators want to add a new trick to its Jim Crow voter suppression playbook that could rival Georgia’s racist efforts that most recently proved successful during last year’s pivotal midterm elections.
Trump’s Anti-Muslim Attacks On Rep. Ilhan Omar Are Backfiring
That cha-ching sound you hear is one of the unintended consequences of President Donald Trump‘s blatant attempts to fire up his base through Islamophobic attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Powerful photos of women protesting are shaping popular uprisings in Africa
In the photo, the ballerina’s twisted fingers dance towards the gloomy sky. Posing in the classic retiré position—with one of her legs bent upwards, the toes touching just above her knees—her eyes remain fixed on the camera.
World Bank Dispossessing Rural Poor
- The World Bank’s Enabling the Business of Agriculture (EBA) project, launched in 2013, has sought agricultural reforms favouring the corporate sector.
Southern Africa: Zimbabwe White Farmers Sue South Africa
In the early 2000s their farms were forcefully seized. Over 18 years later, Zimbabwe's white farmers are still seeking compensation. Now they are suing South Africa for helping Robert Mugabe suppress their case.
Morehouse Makes History With New Transgender Policy
Morehouse is the first all-male school to officially accept transgender students. After much debate, the college made the announcement this weekend.
Africa: Women and Ethiopia's Politics of Home Demolitions
The flattening of homes in Legetafo Legedadi has caused havoc for thousands. As usual, the poor and women are the worst affected. In February, bulldozers began demolishing thousands of homes in Legetafo Legedadi, outside Addis Ababa.
Africa: For Credible Elections, Africa Needs More From the AU
Africa is experiencing a busy electoral year. Two important polls took place in February, in Nigeria and Senegal, both under the watchful eye of the African Union (AU).
Egypt: How Egypt's Constitutional Changes Would Put the Military Above the Law
Proposed amendments would not only allow President al-Sisi to stay in power until 2034, but enhance military power and undermine the judiciary. In Egypt's farcical March 2018 elections, President Abdelfattah al-Sisi was re-elected with 97.8% of the vote.
From Empowerment During War, Eritrean Women Must Fight Gender Discrimination in a New Peace
This article is part of a series on the current state of civil society organisations (CSOs), which was the focus of International Civil Society Week (ICSW), sponsored by CIVICUS, and concluded in Belgrade, April 12 Helen Kidan is an Eritrean human rights activist and founding member of Horn Human Ri
State of Georgia to Provide Free Menstrual Products For Low-Income Women
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Gambia: Why This Former Dictator's Ousting Was Good for Democracy, but Bad for Women's Bodies
Having banned female genital cutting, his ousting was good for governance, but but not for women. Jakumba Ceesay was angry.
Civil Society Under Attack in Name of Counterterrorism
This article is part of a series on the current state of civil society organisations (CSOs), which will be the focus of International Civil Society Week (ICSW), sponsored by CIVICUS, and scheduled to take place in Belgrade, April 8-12.
Kenya: Mandera Elders to Negotiate Release of Abducted Cuban Doctors
The search for the two Cuban doctors abducted in Mandera on Friday by suspected Al Shabaab militants entered day three with little progress. Military choppers were seen hovering above Mandera town and parts of Somalia's Bulahawa on Sunday morning, but things remained quiet for the rest of the day.
When Youth Take on The Fight to Defend Rights
This article is part of a series on the current state of civil society organisations (CSOs), which was the focus of International Civil Society Week (ICSW), sponsored by CIVICUS, and which took place in Belgrade, April 8-12. - Abraham M.
Sudan Protest Group Calls for Civilian Government
Cairo — Sudan's main protest organizers have called for the immediate handover of power to a civilian government in the wake of the military coup that ousted President Omar al-Bashir last week.
Students At LeBron James’ I Promise School Show Impressive Academic Improvement
It’s been nearly a year since NBA star LeBron James opened the I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio and it has proven to be nothing short of impactful in the lives of underserved children.
Zimbabwe: How Grace's Power Grew in Inverse Proportion to Mugabe's Declining Health
Shortly before the Zanu PF conference held at Victoria Falls in early December 2015, the Women's League proposed a resolution to reintroduce a provision that one of Zanu PF's two vice-presidents would have to be a woman.
Election 2020: Ignore Women of Color at Your Own Peril [OP-ED]
As states begin to release insights on who voted in the 2018 midterm election, the historic turnout among women of color is an undeniable takeaway. In Texas alone, 1.
Civil Society, Press Freedom & Human Rights Under Attack in Africa
This article is part of a series on the current state of civil society organisations (CSOs), which is the focus of International Civil Society Week (ICSW), sponsored by CIVICUS, and scheduled to conclude in Belgrade, April 12 - The civic space in several African countries, including Tanzania, Burund
Sen. Kamala Harris Says She’s Not An ‘Obama Democrat’
Sen. Kamala Harris has been out on the campaign trail for what will be an epic battle to win the Democratic primary for president. She was one of many candidates who must decide if they want to distance themselves from former President Barack Obama or align themselves with him.
Sudan: We Will Hand Power as Soon as Possible, Says Sudan's Military
Cape Town — The head of the political committee of the newly established military transitional council has said in a press conference on Friday that the military has no political agenda for the country.
LeBron James Opened a School That Was Considered an Experiment. It’s Showing Promise.
AKRON, Ohio — The students paraded through hugs and high-fives from staff, who danced as Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” blared through the hallways. They were showered with compliments as they walked through a buffet of breakfast foods.
Tell Me Again Why Prisoners Can’t Vote
Maine and Vermont allow inmates to cast ballots. The 48 other states should too. At a forum in Iowa last weekend, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts gave what has become a standard answer for Democrats on the question of felon disenfranchisement.
High School Opens Doors on Friday Nights to Keep Students Safe and Off the
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Conservatives Are So Scared Of AOC They’re Calling Her A Domestic Terrorist
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has conservatives shook. So much so that some have resorted to calling her a terrorist. Fortunately, she — like always — had the perfect response to the foolishness. Comments like this clearly put AOC’s safety at risk, which she pointed out on Twitter.
What Blackface? Northam Is Campaigning For Democrats Like Nothing Happened
Just two months ago, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam was caught up in a blackface scandal. Well, that’s apparently ancient history to Northam, who is back on the campaign trail like nothing ever happened. Richmond.com reports that on Wednesday Northam “attended a private event at the home of Del.
Sudan: How Protesters Upped the Ante, and Forced Al-Bashir From Power
Sudanese protesters against al-Bashir's regime have scored an important victory. But there's a long way to go before democracy is restored.
Sudan’s longtime ruler has been arrested and forced out of office
The three-decade rule of Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir has ended. In a television address, defense minister Ahmed Awad Ibn Awf said the 75-year-old leader has been arrested and put in a “safe place.
Sudan’s diaspora has played a crucial role in supporting the anti-Bashir protests
Wide spread anti-government demonstrations have rocked Sudan since December. Protests against high bread prices have turned into calls for an end to president Omar al-Bashir 30-year reign. The government has responded with force and in February it declared a year-long state of emergency.
Libya: Fight for Tripoli Escalates as UN Prepares to Meet
Fighting between rival Libyan governments for control of Tripoli worsened Wednesday as the United Nations Security Council gets ready to meet on the crisis. General Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army has set up an administration in the east.
Q&A: How These Oregon Leaders Are Empowering Black Women in the Criminal Justice System
It’s not breaking news to say that racial disparities plague the American criminal justice system. It’s a systemic issue that affects people of color in every state. However, one local community hopes to create a shift in that narrative.
Ava Duvernay Uses Clips From '13th' to Explain the Southern Strategy to Black Conservative
On Tuesday (April 9), the House Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing called “Hate Crimes and the Rise of White Nationalism.
The Congolese ruling family allegedly laundered millions through a Trump condo in NY
The daughter of the president of the Republic of Congo reportedly used stolen government funds to buy a $7 million condo in the Trump International Hotel & Tower in New York, raising new questions about the Trump Organization’s ties to money laundering.
Facebook is using AI to map exactly where Africa’s fast-growing population lives
The population of Africa is growing rapidly. Today, one out of every six people on Earth live in Africa. In 2050, the United Nations “medium scenario” projections predicts one in four humans will live in Africa and in 2100, more than one in three.
Sudanese Military Topples Omar al-Bashir as Anti-Government Protesters Vow to Stay in Streets
After months of protest, the Sudanese military ousted President Omar al-Bashir on Thursday, ending his nearly 30 years of authoritarian rule. Tens of thousands of protesters marched in celebration on the streets of Sudan.
Smears, Laws, Lack of Cooperation: Tools Against Activists
This article is part of a series on the current state of civil society organisations (CSOs), which will be the focus of International Civil Society Week (ICSW), sponsored by CIVICUS, and scheduled to take place in Belgrade, April 8-12.
Zambia: Resistance Growing to Chinese Presence in Zambia
Zambia's ties with China are among the longest of all African countries. DW's Abu-Bakarr Jalloh and Fang Wan have been investigating how Zambians feel today, more than half a century after the relationship began. Yan Aimi sobs deeply as she walks down an aisle of her small convenience store.
Burundi: 10 Years On, Justice Denied for Murdered Activist
Nairobi — The government of Burundi has failed to deliver justice for the killing of Ernest Manirumva, a Burundian anti-corruption activist, a decade ago.
Sudan Police Ordered Not to Shoot Protesters
Khartoum/Washington/Juba — Protesters in Khartoum are continuing to demand the resignation of President Omar al-Bashir, staging a sit-in Tuesday outside army headquarters, where heavy gunfire was heard.
Nipsey Hussle Square: Councilman Moves To Name Intersection After Slain Rapper
The outpouring of love for Nipsey Hussle is also coming from the Los Angeles City Council where a lawmaker wants an intersection named in honor of the slain rapper.
Sen. Cory Booker Is The First Presidential Candidate To Put Action Behind Reparations
Reparations has been a major talking point for the Democratic candidates for president. But while most of them appear to be for reparations, none has created any action. On Monday, Sen. Cory Booker became the first one.
National Urban League And Urban One Announce Evaluation Results Of Several State Education Equality Plans
Evaluations of 37 state education plans resulted in nine states rated “excellent,” eight graded “poor” and all the rest assessed as “sufficient,” the National Urban League (NUL) and its media partner Urban One said. ALSO: NUL President & CEO Marc H.
Should U.S. provide reparations for descendants of slaves?
It’s a question being asked more frequently of Democrats running for the 2020 presidential nomination. Many have expressed varying degrees of support for reparations, giving the idea the greatest prominence it’s ever had among leading politicians.
When it comes to Africa’s growing debt, size doesn’t matter. Yet
Africa’s eurobond debt passed the $100-billion milestone after Ghana issued $2.7 billion on March 26. African countries issued a record $27.1 billion in 2018 alone, according to analysts at Renaissance Capital (RenCap). In 2019, three countries—Egypt, Ghana and Benin—have already issued $7.
WTOL
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Bernie Sanders said he'd sign a bill to research reparations for descendants of slaves if elected president
NEW YORK CITY, NY — Sen. Bernie Sanders on Friday told Rev. Al Sharpton he would sign a bill to research reparations for descendants of slaves if elected president, somewhat reversing course on an issue that's emerged as one of the central topics of discussion along the 2020 campaign trail.
It Wasn’t ‘Verbal Blackface.’ AOC Was Code-Switching.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been accused of a lot, but the latest charge is especially piquant. Apparently, the new representative of some of the most multiethnic neighborhoods in the United States has engaged in “verbal blackface.”
African Leaders Should Respect People's Right to Protest
On January 14, 2019, thousands of Zimbabweans protested against a 150 percent hike in fuel prices imposed on January 12 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government. Security forces used excessive force including live ammunition on unarmed protesters.
South Africa: Facebook's South Africa Problem - Just What Exactly Is 'White Nationalism'?
Facebook, under enormous pressure to be more conscious about the content on the platform, has recently announced that beginning immediately it will start taking down posts that support white nationalism and white separatism.
West Africa: Why Age Gives West African Women More Autonomy and Power
Several studies, covering about 58 countries across the world, found that as women get older they are more able to make decisions independently of men.
Crips and Bloods march peacefully together in first gang truce for 27 years in tribute to Nipsey Hussle
GANG rivals the Bloods and the Crips have put aside their differences to march in memory of murdered rapper Nipsey Husssle.
Stacey Abrams Rejects The Idea That Democrats Can’t Win With A Black Woman Running For President
Stacey Abrams dismissed the idea among some Democrats that a Black woman candidate can’t beat Trump in the 2020 election. MSNBC’s “AM Joy” host Joy Reid asked the popular Democrat on Sunday what she made of the “add a Black lady notion” among many in her party.
Black Leaders Drag White Police Chiefs And Union Leaders Who Demand Kim Foxx’s Resignation
State’s Attorney Kim Foxx received plenty of support Saturday from Black leaders in Chicago who joined her in denouncing a group of white police chiefs in Illinois and police union officials who called for Foxx’s resignation over her handling of the Jussie Smollett case.
Ghana’s president wants to make French a formal language, but it’s not a popular plan
Ghana was one of the first British colonies in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve independence in 1957 and as such has had strong ties to the English language as a modern country for over a hundred years.
Meek Mill And Lawmakers Propose Probation Reform Bill
Philadelphia-bred hip-hip artist Meek Mill has become a fierce advocate for criminal justice reform.
Justin Fairfax’s Accusers Hoped Publicity Would Pressure Virginia To Take Action. It Didn’t
It was only two months ago when the state of Virginia became the hotbed of political and racial scandals that briefly turned America’s attention away from the Trump White House. Within days, Gov.
'Blowin’ Up' is a New Doc About a Court Room That Rules In Favor of Compassion
Most of the women in Stephanie Wang-Breal’s inspiring new documentary “Blowin’ Up” are shot in ways that obscures their identity, as most are undocumented immigrants.
South Africa: If You Think Legalising Marijuana is Bad, Think Again
Cape Town — With the cannabis industry exploding, the Cannabis Expo in Cape Town provides the perfect platform for international and local medical health professionals, agricultural providers and lifestyle brands to engage with industry experts and the public around this versatile plant.
Jussie Smollett Refusing To Pay Chicago Police For ‘Overtime’ And Now The City Is Retaliating
The Chicago Police Department cannot seem to contain their outrage Jussie Smollett is not behind bars — even though his 16 felony counts for filing a false police report wouldn’t have resulted in prison time.
Tunisia: Truth Commission Outlines Decades of Abuse
Tunis — Tunisia's Truth and Dignity Commission on March 26, 2019 made public its five-volume report analyzing and exposing the institutional networks that enabled human rights abuses over five decades, Human Rights Watch said today.
Somalia: EU Pledges Continued Support to Somalia Transition Plan
The European Union has pledged its continued commitment to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to implement key programmes and activities under the Somalia Transition Plan.
Uganda: Government Using Colonial Tactics to Stay in Power - Besigye
Four — time presidential candidate Kizza Besigye has said the government is using colonial tactics to stop Opposition leaders from mobilising their supporters ahead of 2021 elections. Dr Besigye said despite the threats, vanguards of change will not relent.
Ethiopia Seeks to Mediate Talks Between Somali Govt and Somaliland Admin
Ethiopian Prime minister, Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday said his government is committed to mediate Somalia and Somaliland. Speaking at Jigjiga town during a meeting with the leaders of Ethio-Somali regional state, Abiy underscored that he will work on missions to stabilize horn of African region.
South Africa: Numsa Launches Political Party 'Which Puts the Rights of Workers First'
The first workers' party in South Africa has officially been launched and it hopes to garner the working class's votes and bag some seats in Parliament.
Afro-Venezuelans and the Bolivarian Revolution: A Discussion with Akinyele Umoja
With new domestic controversies breaking every day in the United States, it can be difficult to keep track of what’s happening abroad, even when it comes to U.S. foreign policy.
Nipsey Hussle's Death Brought L.A. Gang Leaders Together for a Unity Meeting
Nipsey Hussle was reportedly scheduled to meet with the LAPD to discuss gang violence hours after he was fatally shot. As a key figure in his community of South Los Angeles, Nipsey often used his resources to invest in local businesses and spearhead humanitarian efforts.
After Algerian President Resigns, Demonstrators Demand Government Overhaul & Vow to Keep Protesting
After two decades in power, longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned on Tuesday following weeks of protest. The move came shortly after military leaders called for him to step down.
Chicago Elects First Black Lesbian Mayor—But Not All Progressives See It As a Victory
Last night (April 2), Chicago made history when it elected its 56th mayor. Lori Lightfoot is the city’s first Black woman in the top spot. Lightfoot was a relative political outsider in the city of 2.7 million residents in the few months preceeding the election. Per The New York Times:
Chicago’s New Mayor Wants To Waste More Time On Jussie Smollett
Many people were rejoicing that Lori Lightfoot will be the first Black and openly LGBT mayor of Chicago. But she is getting some serious side-eyes, especially when less than 24 hours after being elected she wants to focus on the charges that were dropped against Jussie Smollett.
Western Sahara: 'No One Even Knows If We're There or Not'
Why anger is mounting among a young generation of refugees. Several days of UN-convened informal talks on the Western Sahara late last month appear to have yielded little towards bringing the decades-long conflict to a close.
Africa’s historic free trade deal now has enough countries signed up to go into force
It is now official: Africa’s free trade agreement has drawn enough signatures to go into operation. On Tuesday (Apr. 2), The Gambia’s parliament was the 22nd nation to ratify the agreement, the minimum threshold expected to approve the deal among the 55 member states of the African Union.
Justin Fairfax’s Accuser Speaks Out: ‘There Has Been An Expectation To Protect Black Men At All Costs’
In February, Meredith Watson claimed that Virginia’s lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax raped her while they were in college at Duke University nearly two decades ago. She is now speaking to Gayle King on CBS This Morning.
Nigeria: Shell Paid Nigeria U.S.$6.3 Billion in 2018, Highest in the World
Royal Dutch Shell, Nigeria's largest foreign investor paid the Nigerian government $6,397,325,844 as oil production entitlement, taxes, royalties and fees arising from the company's activities involving oil and gas exploration, development and extraction in the year 2018.
6 Lies and Truths About Black Unemployment Under Trump's Administration
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She’s the Mayor: Lori Lightfoot Becomes the 1st Black Woman and 1st Openly Gay Person Elected to Lead the City of Chicago
In a historic election that saw two black women competing to become mayor of the nation’s third-largest city, voters in Chicago Tuesday night chose Lori Lightfoot to become the first black woman and the first openly gay person to lead the city as its mayor.
South Africa’s election season rhetoric has sparked fresh xenophobic attacks on African migrants
Xenophobic violence has erupted in South Africa again, in a cycle that is now being fueled by politicians ramping up anti-immigrant rhetoric in a country where foreigners are easy targets.
Baltimore’s New Acting Mayor Knows A Few Things About Fighting Off ‘Racially Motivated’ Political Attacks
Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young, who has temporarily taken over the reins of city government power, is a battle-tested veteran of fending off “racially motivated” political attacks from Republicans.
Michael Brown’s Mother, Lezley McSpadden, Might Be Elected To Ferguson City Council
Lezley McSpadden, the mother of Michael Brown, the 18-year-old who was killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, could make political history if she is elected to the suburban St. Louis city council Tuesday.
Zimbabwe: Parliament Approves African Rights, Democracy Charter
The National Assembly and Senate have passed a resolution approving the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) which seeks to enhance democracy among member countries.
Africa: Why Cabinet, Rather Than Parliament, Is the Centre of Power for African Women
How do we know whether women are achieving equitable levels of political representation? For many years, scholars have focused on women's representation in legislatures. But in many African states power is in fact concentrated in the executive branch.
Africa: What Is the Alternative to Western Media for Africans?
Many Africans grew up with the BBC and CNN as their sources of information. In fact, these stations remain the main news source for a lot of us. Are there other options that might serve Africans better? Many of us on the continent grew up listening to the BBC or watching CNN.
Rapper Nipsey Hussle is being remembered for his community work as much as his music
It’s not often a rapper killed in senseless gun violence is celebrated by some of hip hop and Hollywood’s biggest stars, fashion icons, local civil society, community leaders and ministers of foreign governments.
Democratic Presidential Candidates To Pitch Black Voters At The 2019 NAN Convention
The 2019 National Action Network (NAN) convention will draw nearly a dozen 2020 presidential candidates to the annual gathering, which gives them an opportunity to make their case to Black voters. It runs from April 3 – April 6.
Algeria’s president will finally step down this month after 20 years in power
Algeria’s ailing president Abdelaziz Bouteflika is finally set to step down from office after 20 years, following several weeks of unprecedented national protests.
Africa: Cape Verde Gives Pointers on Achieving Universal Health Coverage
Praia — After three days of intense work and great debates, the second Africa Health Forum came to an end in Cape Verde.
Burundi Tightens Screws On Media Freedom
The Burundian government today signalled a new attack on media freedom, announcing it would renew the Voice of America's (VOA) suspension and withdraw the British Broadcasting Corporation's (BBC) operating license.
Nigeria: The Death of Democracy in Nigeria - a Coroner's Inquest (V)
The horrific events of 1966 and the genocidal Biafran war have been competently documented by historians and other interested parties.
Africa: UN Chief Hopeful for Libya, After Quartet Meeting in Tunis
Secretary-General António Guterres said he is hopeful for a solution to the eight-year long conflict in Libya, after a high-level meeting in Tunis, Tunisia, on Saturday with officials from the Arab League, the European Union and the African Union -- the group known as the 'Libya Quartet.
Georgia Senate Honors T.I. For Activism Efforts In Atlanta
Atlanta-bred hip-hop artist T.I. has been a fierce advocate for the underserved and his philanthropic efforts have been recognized by politicians in the state of Georgia.
The World Is Watching: Woman Suing Harvard for Photos of Enslaved Ancestors Says History Is At Stake
Who has the right to own photos of slaves? We speak with Tamara Lanier, the great-great-great-granddaughter of Papa Renty, the enslaved man whose image was captured in a 19th century photograph currently owned by Harvard University.
Mali's Volatile Mix of Communal Rivalries and a Weak State Is Fuelling Jihadism
Mali's Mopti region has seen a drastic rise of violence since 2015. Last year at least 202 civilians were killed in 42 incidents. In March this year more than 150 were killed in attacks against two villages in this central Malian region.
Trump extended Liberians’ migrant status to 2020 but a lawsuit is coming anyway
Relief and excitement spread through Liberian communities in the United States on Thursday (Mar. 28) after president Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the deadline of the Deferred Enforced Departure program for 4,000 Liberians living in the US to Mar. 30, 2020.
New Study Suggests That America May Be Ready For Reparations To Blacks
If a new survey is accurate, most Americans are receptive to the controversial idea of the federal government granting reparations to African-Americans.
Ghana Tackles Floods, Waste and Pollution With Accra Resilience Plan
Dakar — The West African country on Thursday became the second in the region after Senegal to launch a plan to help its capital city, Accra, grow safely as part of the 100 Resilient Cities global network Ghana plans to replace its polluting "trotro" buses and formalise waste collection in slums as
Africa: Former Liberation Movements Charge to the Rescue of Western Sahara
Southern Africa's former liberation movements have symbolically donned their old camouflage uniforms and are resuming the decolonisation struggle. This time though, the colonising power in their sights is a fellow African country, Morocco.
Somalia: Man Deported From U.S. Killed By Roadside Bomb in Mogadishu
Ahmed Salah had sought refuge, arguing that Mogadishu was not safe enough for him and his family, but the immigration judge declined his plea and ordered him back. Unfortunately yesterday, he was killed in a roadside bomb, leaving behind a wife and two young children.
Facebook Is Helping Advertisers Discriminate Against Black People, HUD Says
Facebook has found itself in legal hot water with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for allegedly giving users’ personal data to advertisers, enabling them to place discriminatory ads on the platform.
Rahm Emanuel’s Reaction To Jussie Smollett Is Further Insult For Laquan McDonald
Laquan McDonald had been dead for 13 months before the public saw the dash cam video showing him walking away from police officer Jason Van Dyke when he was gunned down, killed at the age of 17. Van Dyke shot him 16 times within 14 seconds.
The most common destination for African immigrants is neither Europe nor North America
There is even more evidence that African immigrants are more likely to move elsewhere within the continent than outside it.
You Won’t See A White Man As The Lead In A Jordan Peele Film
Jordan Peele‘s is the new master of horror. “Us” hit theaters last weekend and it was an instant box office smash. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Universal film brought in $70.3 million in ticket sales, which is the largest debut for an original horror film.
Gambia: How the Gambia Is Going About Its Search for Truth and Reconciliation
Seeking uncomfortable truths about atrocities perpetrated against citizens has become an integral part of rebuilding societies after the fall of authoritarian regimes or at the end of armed conflicts.
Uganda: Business Paralysed As Police Fired Teargas, Bullets to Disperse Striking Kyambogo Students
Business in and around Kyambogo university premises was paralysed as police fired teargas to disperse students who were striking over what they described as an unfair fees policy.
Warner Music is the latest major record label group to bet on Afrobeats
Warner Music Group, the world’s third largest record label, is the latest major player to invest in the Afrobeats genre, inking a partnership deal with one of the Nigeria’s leading labels, Chocolate City Entertainment.
Algeria: Are We on the Brink of Another Arab Spring?
Are anti-government protests in Algeria the herald of an Arab-spring sequel? Some regional autocrats appear to fear so and are cracking down on even the mildest of dissent, say analysts.
Algeria: Army in Spotlight as North African Nation Faces Popular Uprising
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's days seemed numbered Wednesday, as the country's ruling party and top labor union joined cascading calls for the ailing 82-year-old leader to resign.
Jeffrey Wright-Narrated Doc 'Rigged' Highlights Voter Suppression Tactics
Wright: “I hope ‘Rigged’ sounds an alarm that wakes America up.”
Trump Administration Expands Reach of Abortion 'Global Gag Rule'
Also known as the “Mexico City policy” and the “Global Gag Rule,” this policy was first put into place by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, but was rescinded by Bill Clinton in 1993. Trump’s 2017 executive order reinsititued it. A 2017 report from the Guttmacher Institute
New Report Highlights Need, Strategies for Juvenile Justice Reform
The Urban Institute, in conjunction with the Youth First Initiative, unveiled a new report today (March 27) titled ”Promoting A New Direction for Youth Justice,” which outlines practical, community-based strategies for reforming the juvenile justice system.
Gambia: How Yahya Jammeh Stole a Country
Gambia's former President Yahya Jammeh orchestrated the embezzlement of nearly US$1 billion of public funds and illegal timber revenue during his 22-year rule, looting the treasury in a long-running conspiracy that crippled one of the world's poorest countries.
First Black Woman to Lead Virginia Police Dept Says She Was Forced to Resig
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Liberia: Swiss Will Try Former Rebel Leader Alieu Kosiah for War Crimes
Cape Town — In a ground-breaking case, Swiss prosecutors have announced that Alieu Kosiah, a former commander of the United Liberation Movement for Democracy in Liberia (ULIMO) who was arrested in Switzerland nearly five years ago, will be put on trial in the country for war crimes allegedly commi
Here's Where to Go to Find the Latest Scholarships For Black Students
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Africa: Poor Lose Out As Rich Countries Link Aid With Trade - Think-Tank
London — Rich countries are using their aid budgets to promote their own national interests rather than focusing on helping people in poor countries, according to research published by a global think-tank on Tuesday.
How Ending Obamacare Would Hurt Black People
President Trump announced his renewed effort to end President Barack Obama’s signature health care reform law at a time when the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more commonly known as Obamacare, has narrowed the racial gap in health care coverage.
Chicago Police Still Whining About Jussie Smollett And Now Attacking Cook County’s First Black Woman State Attorney
With the way the Chicago Police Department was acting, you’d think Jussie Smollett killed someone. (That would be ironic since that’s the same police force that has decades of blood on its hands, from Fred Hampton to Laquan McDonald, but we digress.
Angola Reiterates Its Commitment to Western Sahara
Pretoria — Angola's Vice President Bornito de Sousa reaffirmed Angola's commitment to support diplomatic initiatives to overcome the deadlock on Western Sahara dispute.
Liberia: Bar to Reawaken TRC Recommendations
Perpetrators of the 14 years civil unrest in Liberia are said to be in serious trouble as the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) has vowed to begin discussions on the Truth Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report.
How a Nigerian genome team contained a Lassa fever outbreak with international partners
Lassa fever first flared across Nigeria in February 2018, 1081 cases reported in just six weeks, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control; 57 people, including four healthcare workers, died.
Zimbabwe: President Speaks On Africa's Last Colony
Pretoria — President Mnangagwa yesterday said African leaders cannot continue to fail the people of Western Sahara, the only nation on the continent under colonisation, and should unrelentingly persist to make clarion calls to the world that enough is enough.
Congo-Kinshasa: Why the DRC's Latest Power-Sharing Deal Will Struggle - - Just Like Previous Ones
When Felix Tshisekedi was announced the winner of the disputed presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) it was widely assumed that he had agreed to a power sharing deal with outgoing President Joseph Kabila and his Common Front for Congo coalition.
Cameroon: Govt Cracks Down On Opponents
Cameroon's High Court refused to release opposition leader Maurice Kamto, as well as six of his supporters, who were arrested in January on politically motivated charges.
Africa: Only One Country Needed to Realise Africa Single Market
Ethiopia last week ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), leaving only one more ratification for it to take effect. Twenty-two ratifications are required for the agreement to enter into force and so far 21 countries have ratified their instruments.
Q&A: Guyana’s Roadmap to Become a Green State
- In 2008, the then president of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, established within the Ministry of the Presidency the Office of Climate Change. Guyana became the first country in the region to do so.
Businesses and Influencers Consider Black-Owned Platform as a Social Media
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The Nollywood movie experiment to research Nigerians’ anti-corruption behavior
The popularity of Nigeria’s Nollywood movie industry—the world’s second largest by volume—was covertly deployed for a social cause five years ago.
Northam Enacts Bill Creating African-American Advisory Board Amid Doubts About His Racial Reconciliation Tour
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, who has admitted to wearing blackface, gave his approval for the creation of an African-American advisory board while doubts remain about his commitment to a racial reconciliation tour.
West Africa: How Francophone Scholarship Deepened Our Understanding of Democracy and Social Change
What do Alfred Sauvy, Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan and Frantz Fanon have in common? Their works were all written in French and have made considerable contributions to our understanding of democracy and social change, whatever is the context.
Sudan Uprising - Protests Across Sudan and Across the World
Khartoum / Omdurman / Geneva / New York / Washington / London — Demonstrations calling for the unconditional step-down of President Omar Al Bashir and his regime, that has held power in Sudan for 30 years, continued throughout the capital of Khartoum.
Communication, a Key Tool for South-South Cooperation
- Communication can be a key tool for the development of cooperation among the countries of the global South, but the ever closer relations between them do not receive the attention they deserve from the media.
Africa: Kenyan Teacher Peter Tabichi Wins Sh100mn Global Teacher Prize
Nairobi — Kenyan teacher Peter Tabichi has been named winner of the $1mn (Sh100 million) Global Teacher Prize 2019.
Racist Rep. Steve King Under Fire For Remarks About Katrina Victims
Iowa’s GOP Rep. Steve King came under fire for a thinly veiled racist remark about New Orleans’ Hurricane Katrina victims in the aftermath of a recent flood in his state.
Disrupt Harlem Code Squad Shows The Power Of Culturally Competent Tech Programs
Three days out of the week Amantina Sosa would wake up before the sun rose to prepare for an early morning shift at Starbucks.
Africa: Addressing root causes of conflicts key to sustainable development in Africa, says UN Deputy Chief
Marrakesh, Morocco, March 23, 2019 (ECA) – Africa cannot have sustainable development without sustaining peace, United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed said Saturday.
How the music of 1950’s Cuba revolutionized the sound of young Senegal
Thierno Koite’s memories of Dakar in the 1960s and 1970s are extremely vivid, “I remember falling asleep on the speakers in various clubs in Dakar as Afro-Cuban music played. At that time, I was a young boy, but I would attend my cousin’s and brother’s rehearsals.”
Uganda: If Water Is Life, We Should Protect It
Water is life. This is not just a bumper-sticker statement. Water affects almost every facet of our lives, whether we know it or not. The entire week, water issues have been highlighted in several fora in the run up to Water Day (March 22) celebrations.
Mississippi Passes Restrictive 'Heartbeat Ban' Abortion Law
Mississippi’s leadership just made it even harder for women to control their reproductive health. On Thursday (March 21), Mississippi Republican Governor Phil Bryant signed a law that bans abortion The New York Times: In a signing ceremony in Jackson on Thursday, Mr.
Guinea Risks 'Conflict and Confusion' With Mining Eviction Policy
Dakar — Civil society groups rejected Guinea's first policy seeking to protect people displaced by mines and dams on Thursday, saying it would worsen poverty and conflict in the mineral-rich nation.
Congo-Kinshasa: U.S. Sanctions Top Congolese Election Officials
Washington, DC — Today (March 21, 2019), the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned three senior Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) officials.
Re-Elected Sheriff Plans To Ignore ‘Walking While Black’ Report
The priority of Jacksonville, Florida’s newly re-elected sheriff doesn’t include address his department’s practice of targeting African-American pedestrians for tickets. Voters gave Sheriff Mike Williams a second term on Tuesday.
Florida House Advances Bill That Would Limit Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated
Critics are speaking out against a bill that would require formerly incarcerated Florida residents to pay fines before they can have their voting rights restored, The New York Times reports.
Colin Kaepernick’s NFL Settlement Allegedly Much Lower Than Reported
Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid allegedly settled big with their lawsuit against the NFL. Now there are reports the settlement was under $10 million. The Wall Street journal reports, “The settlement is far less than the tens of millions of dollars Mr.
Man Convicted Of Threatening To Kill Obama, Maxine Waters As Trump Refuses To Denounce Political Violence
A jury on Wednesday convicted Stephen J. Taubert of making death threats to former President Barack Obama and California’s Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters. After the three-day trial, jurors concluded that Taubert selected Obama and Waters because of their race, the U.S.
The Statue of Liberty climber activist will not go to prison but her activism is being restricted
Congolese-American activist Patricia Okoumou will not go to prison for climbing Lady Liberty’s pedestal on July 4, 2018 to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policy of separating children from their families at the Mexican border.
Africa: Electric Vehicle Companies Called On to Produce 'Ethical Battery' Within Five Years
Amnesty International is today publicly challenging leaders within the electric vehicle industry to make the world's first completely ethical battery within five years.
How Call Me MISTER Is Putting Black Men In the Classroom
The seal of the state of South Carolina has the phrase “Animis opibusque parati,” which means “Prepared in mind and resources.
Nigeria: Is Nigeria Ready to Leave No One Behind? World Water Day 2019
Imagine... 10-year-old Funke kicks up dust as she makes her way out of the door to the stream. You can barely see the dust because it is only 5am.
The Hidden U.S. Air War in Somalia: Amnesty Accuses U.S. of Possible War Crimes for Civilian Deaths
Amnesty International is accusing the United States of covering up civilian casualties in its secretive air war in Somalia targeting the militant group al-Shabab. The U.S. has carried out over 100 strikes in Somalia since 2017.
Anti-Government Protests Continue in Haiti; New Details Emerge About Role of U.S. Mercenaries
Ongoing protests are roiling Haiti, as demonstrators take to the streets to demand President Jovenel Moïse’s resignation due to government corruption and mismanagement of the country’s oil fund.
Cameroon: Conviviality in Seeking Solutions
Observably, national and international concerns on the return to normalcy in Cameroon is growing by the day.
African strongmen are the biggest stumbling blocks to internet access on the continent
Internet disruptions have become a mainstay in Africa, with five countries—namely Gabon, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Chad, and DR Congo—already blocking connectivity just three months into 2019.
Black Votes Matter: What Eliminating The Electoral College Would Mean For African-Americans
Black voters have plenty to gain from replacing the electoral college—a system built originally to protect the interest of white, male slave owners—with selecting presidents through a popular vote. Massachusetts Democrat Sen.
Cote d'Ivoire: Meet Dana Mroueh, the Ivorian Eco-Friendly Chocolatier
Ivorian chocolate maker Dana Mroueh is making organic, eco-friendly chocolate in an industry that poses a threat to the environment because it spurs the particularly aggressive deforestation in Ivory Coast.
Florida Jim Crow Republicans Try Restricting Felon Voting Rights To Keep Power
Florida Republicans, seeking to keep power in the swing state, were doing everything they could to restrict the voting rights of felons that were restored under a constitutional amendment in November.
Namibia: AR Wants Law to Ban Foreign Land Ownership
The Affirmative Repositioning movement has called on parliament to enact a law prohibiting foreign nationals from owning land in Namibia.
In Light Of The College Admissions Scandal, Is Affirmative Action Still Relevant?
fter news broke of the largest Acollege admissions scandal ever prosecuted in U.S. history, the question of affirmative action in education and its continued need was thrust back into the national conversation.
Q&A: Caribbean Losing Momentum on Climate Change and Concerted Action is Needed
- In 2015, the Caribbean was “the region that could” on the climate change scene. Countries rallied under the ‘1.5 to Stay Alive’ banner, in the face of an existential threat. The now former Sustainable Development Minister of Saint Lucia Dr.
Demands Met After NYC Students Locked Staff Out of School to Protest About
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Ben Carson’s Lazy Work Schedule Explains A Lot About HUD’s Poor Condition
Ben Carson was forced to reveal his work schedule and confirmed he hasn’t been working very hard at his job. That may explain part of the reason why folks living in public housing have suffered under his leadership of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Sudan: Pressure From the People in Sudan
The longer genuine political and economic reform is delayed in Sudan, the greater the risk of wider instability and deepening economic crisis. President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in an Islamist-backed military coup in 1989, is facing the most serious challenge to his regime to date.
Trump Who Has Courted White Supremacists Denies They Pose A Threat After New Zealand Shooting
President Donald Trump, who kicked off his 2016 presidential campaign at Trump Tower with an appeal to white nationalism, came under fire Sunday for denying that white supremacy ideology poses a serious threat globally.
NY Lawmaker Wants To Make Calling Cops On Innocent Black People A Hate Crime
State Sen. Jesse Hamilton, a Democrat who represents the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Brownsville, Crown Heights and Flatbush, said he’d been speaking with voters in his district earlier this month when an unidentified woman called the cops on him for no apparent reason.
Newspaper Owner Who Called for Klan to ‘Ride Again’ Loses Black Editor That Envisioned New Direction
An Alabama newspaper that found itself in the national spotlight over its owner’s call for a Ku Klux Klan revival won’t move in the direction that the new Black editor wanted. Elecia R.
Africa: A Modern Pan-Africa Needs the Fierce Urgency of Now
Ghana's Independence, celebrated on March 6 is as important as the profound statement by her pan-Africanist first prime minister and later president, Kwame Nkrumah, in 1957, that it was meaningless unless all African countries were free.
Africa has forgotten the women leaders of its independence struggle
When the British colonial officers refused to give permits for demonstrations, activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti mobilized local market women for what she called “picnics” and festivals.
University Of South Florida Elects First Black Woman Student Body President
A student at the University of South Florida is breaking racial barriers and displaying #BlackExcellence at the institution.
Three Takeaways from Disaster Relief in Puerto Rico
Mark Baker is Director of Disaster Response at Water Mission* - Those of us working in disaster relief know what to expect when a hurricane or earthquake strikes with devastating fury. We know that safe water, food, and shelter will be the most immediate needs for survivors.
Using Climate-Smart Solutions to Promote Peace in South Sudan
- Almost a month to go ahead of the traditional rainy season in Gbudue State, 430 kilometres west of South Sudan’s capital, Juba, smallholder farmers are already tilling their land as they prepare to plant purer, drought-tolerant seeds.
Free Stella Nyanzi, Demand Pan African Activists in Ghana
- On Saturday 9th March, a small group of activists from Ghana, concerned by the continued incarceration of Ugandan feminist activist Dr Stella Nyanzi, rallied by the symbolic national independence Square to raise awareness on the dangers of remaining quiet to injustice.
Africa: Fridays With Fatima - What Can the Media Do to Promote Peacebuilding?
interview Fatima Madaki, introduced in the first episode of Fridays with Fatima, works with Search for Common Ground Nigeria, which focuses on peacebuilding in Nigeria's communities, where citizens deal with Boko Haram attacks, Biafra separatists, and violence involving Fulani herders and farmers in
Namibia: The Bones of Contention in the Ovaherero-Nama Genocide Case
The eardrums of the New York southern district judge echoed with tales of enslavement, concentration camps, stolen land, rapes of women and children, lynched and dissected bodies, and dry bones.
Entrepreneur and His Son Launch Black WallStreeter Consultation Services to
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Africa Needs Cash, Science for New Model of Green Development - Leaders
Barcelona — African countries must tackle climate change with a new economic model rooted in clean energy, forest protection and technology to support farmers - but they will need more investment and research to make that happen, leaders said on Thursday.
Africa: The Exception - Behind Senegal's History of Stability
Senegal's elections have been peaceful and the incumbent president, Macky Sall, has been reelected. For many this comes as no surprise. Senegal has long been a stable democracy in a region plagued by military coups, civil wars and ethnic conflicts. It's been considered an "exception" in West Africa.
The Freedom School Demonstration Farm: Breathing New Life into Black Farmin
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Africa: Decolonisation Is Not a Commodity
At this stage of the revolution, the student movement must sharpen its tools of analysis and wage a fight against the hijacking of decolonisation by university managers and its commodification by the market.
Tanzania: Is Tanzania Discarding Nyerere's Freedom-Fighting Legacy?
Tanzania's stance on Palestine suggests its history of fighting global injustice could be making way for a more pragmatic "economic diplomacy". Tanzania Palestine: Former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat with Tanzania's former President Julius Nyerere.
South Sudan: Salvaging South Sudan's Fragile Peace Deal
The truce in South Sudan is holding but could break down at any time. To stave off renewed civil war, external actors should urge the belligerents to strike new bargains on security and internal boundaries - and accept a third-party protection force for the capital.
Africa: How Good Urban Farming Can Combat Bad Eating
Unhealthy diets pose a massive and growing health threat across the world. In Africa, traditional foods and inner-city farms could be the answer. Unhealthy diets pose a bigger global health risk than unsafe sex, alcohol, drug and tobacco use combined.
Africa: High Cost of Having China As Africa's Partner of Choice
Africa's history is laced with decades of colonial exploitation, which together with developmental assistance programmes such as the International Monetary Fund's structural adjustment initiatives of the 1980s and 1990s, has had debilitating consequences.
South Sudan: Why the Latest Peace Deal in South Sudan Won't Hold
South Sudan plunged into conflict in 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his deputy Riek Machar of an attempted coup d'etat. After five years in which regional powers sought ways to end the stalemate, Kiir and Machar signed the latest in a series of power-sharing peace agreements.
Trump’s Racism Has Infected High School Students Now
President Donald Trump’s embrace of white supremacists and his hateful rhetoric has infected high school students who think there’s nothing wrong with acting like him, according to a new study that was released on Wednesday.
Until We Reckon: Mass Incarceration, Violence & the Radical Possibilities of Restorative Justice
A staggering 2.2 million people are locked up in America’s sprawling prison system, and more than half of those currently confined in state prisons have been convicted of violent crime.
Cheating, Bribes & Lies: DOJ Charges Dozens of Rich Parents & Coaches in College Admission Scandal
Operation Varsity Blues. That’s the name of a sweeping federal probe into what the Justice Department calls the biggest college admissions scam the agency has ever uncovered.
Ending The Death Penalty Doesn’t Fix A Racist Criminal Justice System
California became the latest state to halt the death penalty, just one of the many elements in the criminal justice system that has been plagued by racism and discrimination. Democratic Gov.
Cameroon: Constitutional Crisis Worsens in Cameroon
What started as a struggle for sovereignty by citizens of southern Cameroon has spiraled into a full-blown crisis.
Africa: Why the World Needs an African Ecofeminist Future
Orthodox economic models have failed us all, but women across Africa are resisting them and coming up with visionary alternatives. We need an "African ecofeminist future". And by we, I don't just mean Africa, I mean everyone.
African Peer Review - Progress Is Being Made, but There Are Problems
There was great excitement and hype when the African Peer Review Mechanism was launched 16 years ago. This was because it presented an innovative approach to improving governance on the continent.
Rwanda: Regional Legal Body Set to Reconcile Uganda, Rwanda
Arusha — The East African Law Society (EALS) has stepped in to reconcile feuding Uganda and Rwanda.
South Africa: Venezuela an Issue Between Allies U.S. and South Africa
Differences between South African and U.S. policy on Venezuela's political crisis are likely to come to the fore this week, as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John J. Sullivan visits southern Africa.
Africa: Are Ratings Agencies Hurting Africa's Economies?
When international ratings agencies like Moody's or Fitch downgrade countries, the economies of these nations suffer. African governments have had enough and are retaliating against what they call 'subjective' ratings.
The College Admission Scandal Is A Reminder Of A Broken System Against Black Folks
You probably don’t remember the name Kelley Williams-Bolar. In 2011, she was a 41-year-old single mother in Ohio who desperately wanted her students to attend an elite school in the Copley-Fairlawn School District. One problem: she didn’t live in that district.
Stacey Abrams Says 2020 Run For President Is ‘Definitely On The Table’
Stacey Abrams, one of the shining new stars in the Democratic Party’s constellation, could join the field of candidates seeking to push President Trump out of office in 2020.
Africa: What Having New U.S. Official for Africa Means for the Continent
Cape Town — U.S. Official Sullivan on Whirlwind Tour of South Africa, Angola and An Attitude of "Wait and See" as Agoa Hurtles to 2025
The “father of the Web” says we need laws to curb “state-sponsored” internet crackdown
The internet turns 30 today, underscoring how in its nascent existence, it has transformed everything in our daily lives.
Nigerian State Elections Marred By 'Systemic Failings' - EU
International observers have condemned accusations of violence and intimidation during the highly-contested state elections. State governors wield a considerable amount of power and influence in Nigerian politics.
READ: What It Means That the Environmental Justice Movement is Overwhelmingly White
As presidential hopefuls and Democrat politicians continue to embrace—or distance themselves—from the subject of climate change and the Green New Deal, a new article in The Guardian highlights a major dilemma facing the entire environmental justice movement: the lack of proportional racial repr
States Keep Trying To Dictate What Poor People Can Buy With Food Stamps
Several states have for years been preoccupied with trying to control what kind of food low-income residents purchase with their food stamps. In the latest example, Arkansas state Rep.
Africa: Streamlining the AU's Rapid Response Capabilities
Over the past five years, there has been a great deal of debate about the African Union's (AU) ability to rapidly deploy a combat force in crisis situations.
Guinea Bissau: Tradition or Trafficking? Guinea-Bissau Children Suffer in Senegal's Islamic Schools
Velingara, Guinea-Bissau — Human rights groups say many Koranic schools in Senegal are money-making schemes which exploit children from other West African nations.
Sudan: Just Fall, That Is All!
analysis "These protests are unprecedented in terms of their length and sustainability, their geographical spread throughout the entire country, and the remarkable coalition of youth groups, civil society organizations, and opposition political parties that have joined in these protests now still on
West Africa: Will Elections in Guinea-Bissau End Years of Political Crisis?
On Sunday a new parliament will be elected in Guinea-Bissau. 21 parties are battling for 102 seats. Guineans hope the poll will mark the end of a long period of political crisis in the West African country.
Rap Sheets Haunt Former Inmates. California May Change That.
After spending more than seven years in prison for robbery and auto theft, Jay Jordan tried to get work selling insurance, real estate and used cars, but was repeatedly turned away, he said.
Angola's Opposition Alliance Installs New Leader
Angolan third political force, the Casa-Ce alliance, has installed Mr André Mendes de Carvalho as its new leader. Mr Carvalho's elevation to the top hierarchy is part of the alliance's preparations for the 2022 General Election, which it hopes to contest as a single party.
WATCH: Lawmakers, Advocates Center Black Women on National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day
Today (March 10), on National Women and Girls HIV AIDS Awareness Day, advocates and lawmakers stand in solidarity with thousands of women who are living with HIV.
Virginia Black Caucus Members Frustrated With Northam’s Apparent Fake Racial Reconciliation Tour
Some Virginia Black lawmakers said they want to see a serious effort at racial reconciliation from Gov. Ralph Northam. Northam, a Democrat, declined to resign from office after a racist photo from his medical school yearbook surfaced on Feb. 1 and he later admitted to wearing blackface.
Ben Carson Backtracks From Resigning As The Deplorable Secretary Of HUD
Earlier this week, Ben Carson finally made a good decision as the secretary of the department of Housing and Urban Development. The former neurosurgeon said he would resign after Trump’s first term. Now he changed his mind. In a long Facebook post he wrote, “I am not leaving.
Algeria: Protests in Algeria, Start of Something Bigger?
An ailing 82-year-old refusing to relinquish the presidency, resentment against a ruling civilian and military cabal, and an economy in crisis have sparked mass protests across Algeria in recent weeks.
Africa: Return of the Arab Spring and the Time for African Rainmakers
Sometimes the world changes so slowly that we miss it. And at other times it changes too quickly, we miss it too. In the past few days, we have seen quite a bit of each of those two realities.
Jussie Smollett Indicted By A Grand Jury On 16 Felony Counts
Jussie Smollett has officially been indicted by a grand jury. The actor has maintained his innocence. The “Empire” actor was originally arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false report on Feb. 21.
Urgent Call for African Food Sovereignty Movements to Connect with Radical Feminist Movements on the Continent
This opinion piece is part of IPS coverage of International Women's Day on Mar. 8 - Africa is facing dire times.
Africa: Rwanda - Real Equality or Gender-Washing?
Few countries have more women in politics than Rwanda. They make up 60 percent of the lawmakers, 50 percent of the cabinet and half of the supreme court judges. But how much influence does this translate into. "Of course we are not perfect, but I think it's a good example," Natacha Umutoni told DW.
Congress Investigates EPA For Refusing NASA's Help After Hurricane Harvey
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, doing billions of dollars in damage to the Texas city. Not only was there loss of lives and homes, but the storm caused serious environmental damage.
Fear the “Bern?” Bernie Sanders is Too Left for the Democratic Party
The corporate Democrats truly fear Sanders because he represents a dangerous political path that may lead large portions of the population to demand an improvement in their condition.
Africa: One Year On, Africa Free Trade Deal Nears Reality
Almost a year after the formal launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the plan is inching toward the 22-country threshold needed for implementation.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Is Becoming A Bastion Of Civil Rights
Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by Jay-Z that already seems to have its hand in every aspect of the culture, has become a major player in civil rights activism.
Black Female Filmmaker Tackles Toxic Masculinity in Her Latest Documentary,
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Lynne Patton And Her Sunglasses Resuming The Useless ‘Live-In Tour’ Of The NYC Housing Projects
Lynne Patton, Eric Trump‘s former party planner, debased herself at Michael Cohen’s testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. She and her sunglasses are now continuing the “live-in” tour of the New York City Housing Projects.
AOC’s Green New Deal May Be Just What America Needs To Get Its Mojo Back
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. Freedom of speech is of no use to a man who has nothing to say and freedom of worship is of no use to a man who has lost his God.
Nigeria: Roots of Nigeria's Election Violence
President Muhammadu Buhari has been elected for a second term. Nigerians have also elected new members of the National Assembly, and on 9 March, elections will be held for governors and State Assembly members in 29 of the country's 36 states.
Algeria’s protestors are determined to end their president’s 20-year rule
Algeria’s 82-year-old president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, whose has been in office since 1999, is seeking a fifth term – and many Algerians are not pleased with his decision. There has been relatively little public opposition to Bouteflika’s continued reign over the past 20 years.
Three Ex-UN Leaders Form Women’s Group to Save Multilateralism
Dulcie Leimbach* was a fellow of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies at the Graduate Center of CUNY from 2012 to 2017. She is the founder of PassBlue, for which she edits and writes, covering primarily the United Nations, West Africa, peacekeeping operations and women's issues.
Sierra Leone: Call to Support Sierra Leone's $8 Billion Plan
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio is appealing to the international community to support his $8 billion five-year development plan. The National Development Plan (NDP), launched on Friday, represents the administration's Medium Term priorities for 2019 to 2023.
Nigeria: Atiku Inaugurates Legal Team to Challenge Buhari's Election Victory
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has inaugurated a legal team to challenge the result of last Saturday's presidential election, his spokesperson said. The team is headed by Livy Uzoukwu, a senior advocate of Nigeria.
Africa: Can We Expect an African Position On Venezuela?
The international community is divided over Venezuela. The UN Security Council has failed to agree on two resolutions on the political crisis. Most African countries are, however, reluctant to position themselves.
NBA Legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Auctions Off Memorabilia To Push STEM Education Forward
NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has used mementos from his storied basketball journey for a good cause.
Vanguard or Avant-Garde? Revisiting questions on leadership: Part 2: Towards a new vanguard theory
This is the second of a two-part article written by Alexander Riccio. The first part, “The vanguard debate in history,” appeared in PR #113 in February, 2019. New insights on oppression, its different forms and logics, cast doubt on the proletariat as revolution’s vanguard.
The revolution marooned: Cuba and the Left
ON DECEMBER 20TH 2018, I spent eight hours touring the Cuban capital city Havana before being forced to evacuate by indiscriminate 15-foot high waves.
Algeria blocks the internet days before its ailing president files to run for a fifth term
Internet disruption continues to spread across Algeria as public demonstrations calling on president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to vacate office intensify. The internet monitoring organization NetBlocks said there was further evidence of growing cutoffs across the North African nation on Friday (Mar.
Namibia: Germans Must Acknowledge Genocide - Geingob
PRESIDENT Hage Geingob yesterday said the German government must acknowledge the 1904-1908 genocide in Namibia. The head of state made the remarks at the handover of the late kaptein Hendrik (!Nanseb) Witbooi's Bible and whip to his clan at Gibeon yesterday.
The Words and Deeds of Social Imperialists
The US left makes celebrities of self-styled “socialists” that have no solidarity with real strugglers against imperialism in the world.
Activist Faces Prison for Climbing Statue of Liberty & Southwest Key HQ to Protest Family Separation
AMY GOODMAN: Immigrant rights activist Patricia Okoumou, who made national headlines last year after she scaled the Statue of Liberty to protest family separations, climbed atop a Southwest Key building last week to protest the company, which operates detention centers for migrant children.
Teen Climate Activist to Sen. Dianne Feinstein: We Need the Green New Deal to Prevent the Apocalypse
“We’re the ones affected.” Those are the words of youth climate activists who confronted California Senator Dianne Feinstein last week in San Francisco, demanding she sign on to the Green New Deal.
Sudan: Africa's Strongmen and the Dying Art of Fine Dictatorship
Sudan's embattled President Omar al-Bashir, facing three months of protests, has lost it. As last week ended, Bashir, who first came to power in 1989 in a coup, declared a yearlong state of emergency. He disbanded his Cabinet and dissolved the federal and provincial governments.
South Africa: Rebels and Rage - Navigating a Way Through the #FeesMustFall Campus Turmoil of 2016
The book moves between reflecting on the events of the last three years on university campuses, and reimagining the future of South African higher education.
Uganda: Key Donors Freeze Uganda Refugee Aid After UN Mismanagement Scandal
Kampala — Uganda's refugee sector may run into trouble after two major European donor countries froze funds to the UN refugee agency as a result of fraud, corruption, and mismanagement unearthed in an internal UN audit last year.
NYC Public Advocate-Elect Jumaane Williams Rips Into Ben Carson: ‘He Probably Created The Sunken Place’
Ben Carson as the secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has been terrorizing low-income communities since Trump appointed him.
Sen. Cory Booker Reintroducing Marijuana Justice Act
Sen. Cory Booker has not been getting the same buzz as Kamala Harris or Bernie Sanders since they announced they are running for president. However, the New Jersey Senator might try to change that by reintroducing the Marijuana Justice Act.
Mauritius Scores Win over Britain in Diego Garcia Decolonisation
- Mauritius has scored a victory over Britain at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a case involving the decolonisation of the strategically important island of Diego Garcia that is home to a United States military base.
A legal tussle over a strategic African port sets up a challenge for China’s Belt and Road plan
It’s been exactly a year since the Dubai-based port operator DP World accused Djibouti of illegally seizing control of the Doraleh Container Terminal (DCT) it operated in the northeast African country.
South Africa: Picket Against Traditional and Khoi-SAN Leadership Bill
The National Assembly has approved the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill (TKLB) much to the disappointment of several rural organisations. The bill, approved yesterday in Parliament, has been supported by the ANC and the UDM, but opposed by the DA, EFF and COPE.
Africa: Takeaways From Elections in Nigeria and Senegal
What does Senegal have in common with Nigeria regarding elections? Very few, if any at all. The former is regarded as a stable democracy, the latter is not. But experts say Abuja and Dakar can learn from each other.
Oakland Teachers Enter 5th Day of Strike
You turn to Democracy Now! for ad-free news you can trust. Maybe you come for our daily headlines. Maybe you come for in-depth stories that expose government and corporate abuses of power. This week Democracy Now! is celebrating our 23rd birthday.
Dems Introduce New Voting Rights Legislation
You turn to Democracy Now! for ad-free news you can trust. Maybe you come for our daily headlines. Maybe you come for in-depth stories that expose government and corporate abuses of power. This week Democracy Now! is celebrating our 23rd birthday.
The vital work of African innovators is gaining more global recognition
African innovators keep winning global plaudits with increased attention paid to their work and its impact. The latest nod comes from Fast Company magazine’s annual list of The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies.
Zambia: 'Cost of Corruption in Africa Very High'
The cost of corruption is very high in Africa and can become an excessive cost on productivity for enterprises if not dealt with.
Africans pay a hefty economic price to uphold their democracies
At the end of last year, everything was set for a local consultancy firm to work on a research project with the government of Lagos, Africa’s largest city. All the details had been agreed with the contract due to be signed, but it eventually didn’t materialize.
The battle for the Nile with Egypt over Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam has just begun
Africa’s longest river, the Nile runs through 11 countries. One of them is Ethiopia which contributes about 85% of the Nile water flowing to Sudan and Egypt.
Black Panther and its science role models inspire more than just movie awards
It has been said many times that the Marvel movie “Black Panther” is an important landmark.
Emperor Haile Selassie’s AU statue joins a growing list of Africa’s troubled memorials
The unveiling of a statue to the Emperor Haile Selassie outside the African Union has stirred up a storm among Ethiopians and Eritreans. Some, including the Rastafarian community who still worship the Emperor as a god, were delighted.
Algerians have had enough of their frail autocratic president
Algeria saw its largest protests ever yesterday in several cities against ailing president Abdelaziz Boutfleika after he announced that he would be running for a fifth term.
There’s another African election this weekend few people are talking about
Nigeria’s delayed election has grabbed headlines in African and international media. With Africa’s most populous country delaying its Feb. 16 elections over logistics issues, Nigerians will now vote tomorrow (Feb. 23).
Nigerians Re-Elect Buhari As President
President Muhammadu Buhari has won the 2019 presidential election polling 15,191,847 votes to defeat his closest challenger and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Kamala Harris Said What Cory Booker Wouldn’t: Trump Is A Racist
Sen. Kamala Harris sad what Sen. Cory Booker wouldn’t — that President Donald Trump is a racist. Booker said, “I don’t know the heart of anybody. I’ll leave that to the Lord”.is one of the most talked about candidates running for president.”
Central African Republic: Will the Latest Central African Republic Peace Deal Hold?
The 6 February peace accord between the Central African Republic (CAR) government and 14 recognised armed groups is the eighth such agreement since the country descended into violence in 2012.
Zimbabwe: Fuel Crisis Deepens but Minister Adamant That 'I Have Fuel in the Country'
Harare — Hundreds of people were left stranded late Monday after a sudden shortage of fuel with public transport operators hiking fares. Reports of people walking on foot to areas like Glen Norah and Mabvuku emerged as commuter omnibus operators took their vehicles to fuel queues.
Where Does Bernie Sanders Stand On Reparations? Even He Doesn’t Seem To Know
While some have suggested that at least one presidential candidate has a so-called “Black man problem,” it would appear that Bernie Sanders, another White House hopeful, hasn’t seemed to solve his own apparent problem when it comes to American descendants of slavery.
Africa: How a Green New Deal Could Exploit Developing Countries
The Green New Deal has changed the conversation among progressive Democrats about how to deal with climate change, from simply managing a disaster to how to take advantage of an existential threat to build a more just society.
Burundi in Threat to Quit Somalia Mission
The African Union is on the spot over a request by Burundi and Somalia to convene an urgent summit of troop contributing countries to discuss withdrawal of the African Union Mission in Somalia.
Kamala Harris: There’s No Justice For All If Parents Must Have ‘The Talk’ W
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Kenya: In Spite of All the Bottlenecks This, Still, Is the African Century
The 21st century may be Africa's moment. The newly released African Economic Outlook 2019 report by the Africa Development Bank (ADB) reflects the outpouring of optimism aptly captured by the "Africa Rising" narrative.
Nigeria: 11 Feared Dead in Bloody Polls
Contrary to hitch-free polls promised the nation by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday's elections were hallmarked by violence, failure of smartcard readers and late arrival of materials at many polling units across the country.
Michael B. Jordan Launches Fellowship For Youth
Actor Michael B. Jordan is investing in the futures of young boys of color who want to pursue careers in the entertainment industry.
Nigeria: Boko Haram - Multiple Blasts Rock Maiduguri, Deadly Attack in Geidam As Nigerian Elections Begin
Multiple blasts from bomb explosions suspected to be from the Boko Haram insurgents shook Maiduguri, Borno State, in the early hours of Saturday as Nigerians woke up on election day. The blasts, about 11 in number, were heard at about 6 a.m.
Africa: West Africa's Democratic Tipping Point?
ABEOKUTA/MUNICH/FREETOWN/LILONGWE – The decision to postpone Nigeria’s presidential election, made just hours before polls were due to open, has raised fears about the integrity of the eventual vote. Those fears must not be realized – and not just for Nigeria’s sake.
Uganda: Agriculture Can End Uganda's Job Problem, Says New Study
Lira — Agriculture, if fully embraced, can save Uganda from the current youth unemployment crisis, a new study has said.
Nigeria: Why International Community Cares About Nigeria's Political Stability
There is no doubt that the United States of America (USA), the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) among few other foreign nations have always shown great interest in what happens in Nigeria.
Africa: Burundi Rejects AU's Troop Pullout Decision
For the 5,400 Burundian soldiers fighting in Somalia, it's time to go home, the African Union says. Burundi's President Nkurunziza disagrees and is fighting the decision.
North Carolina Republican Calls For New Election In His Congressional Race That Suppressed The Black Vote
A North Carolina Republican caught in the middle of a voter suppression scandal called on Thursday for a new election in a disputed 2018 congressional race in which he was initially declared the winner.
California High Schoolers Stage Walk Out In Protest Of New Durag Ban
On Wednesday morning, students at Pasadena, California's John Muir High School staged a peaceful walk out in protest of their school district's new durag ban.
Ending the Punishment of Poverty: Supreme Court Rules Against High Fines & Civil Asset Forfeiture
NERMEEN SHAIKH: In a major victory for civil liberties advocates, the Supreme Court has unanimously ruled to limit the practice of civil asset forfeiture—a controversial practice where police seize property that belongs to people suspected of crimes, even if they’re never convicted.
DRC’s First Peaceful Transition of Power Was At Expense of Women
Justine Masika Bihamba is founder of Synergie des Femmes, a front line women’s organization based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and local partner of Donor Direct Action.
Senegal: Fear in Senegal As Presidential Election Stirs Up Homophobia
Dakar — Senegal's gay community is on edge as the country heads into presidential elections this weekend, with a tradition of candidates flaunting anti-gay views to gain support.
Reverse Engineering for SDGs
Dr. Kakoli Ghosh, Strategic Program on Sustainable Agriculture Management Team, FAO Ms. Loreta Zdanovaite, Partnerships Officer, Division of Partnerships, FAO
Killing Of Black Teen In Brazil Ignites BLM Movement To End Police Brutality
The killing of a Black teenager in Brazil, which has a long history of police violence against Afro-Brazilians, sparked a movement to protect Black lives. This comes against the backdrop of a new law-and-order Brazilian president coming to power with an anti-Black agenda.
Wake Up and Smell the Organic Coffee
- In 1992, the idea of replanting her father’s ruined coffee farm seemed foolhardy at the time. But in retrospect it was the best business decision that Dorienne Rowan-Campbell, an international development consultant and broadcast journalist, could have made.
Arrest Of Heavily Armed Former U.S. Military Members In Haiti Sparks Many Questions
We know their names, and where they were. But no one has given a public explanation for what several former elite U.S. service members were doing in Haiti — and why they were driving without license plates, carrying an assortment of automatic rifles, drones and other gear.
Central African Republic - Unicef Outlines Key Actions So Fresh Peace Deal Can Make Real Difference for Children
Hailing the recent peace agreement signed by 15 warring parties in the Central African Republic (CAR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) stressed on Monday that "now is the time for action" and outlined concrete steps that armed groups, judicial authorities and the Government can take so the future of
Africa: Shutting Down the Internet Doesn't Work - but Governments Keep Doing It
As the internet continues to gain considerable power and agency around the world, many governments have moved to regulate it. And where regulation fails, some states resort to internet shutdowns or deliberate disruptions. The statistics are staggering.
South Africa: Why a Law Designed to Fight Gang Violence in South Africa Can't Do the Job
Crime weary South Africans, especially those who live in areas held hostage by gangs, recently took their troubles to the country's Parliament. This, after a parliamentary committee convened a meeting to assess the effectiveness of the country's anti-gang strategy had called for public inputs.
LISTEN: New Podcast Demands We #TellBlackStories
Color of Change talks to Ava DuVernay, Stanley Nelson and other artists about shifting narratives around Blackness.
Clarence Thomas Calls For Review Of Libel Ruling That Would Help Trump
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who has compared affirmative action to slavery, now calls for a reconsideration of the court’s landmark libel ruling that Southern segregationists once used to silence the media.
Virginia House Democrats Back Off Plan To Impeach Justin Fairfax
Virginia’s lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax has been in a media firestorm ever since two women accused him of sexual assault. There were calls to impeach him by Virginia House Democrats, but now those calls have reportedly ended.
The Largest Black-Owned Tech Firm Developing Smart Phones Is Now Giving The
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Sudan: New Bilateral Talks Between U.S. Delegation, Sudan
Khartoum — A senior US delegation headed by the special assistant to the president and senior advisor to Africa at the National Security Council, visited Khartoum for talks with the Sudanese government, represented by the Assistant to the President Feisal Ibrahim, about the Sudanese-American relat
North Carolina Republicans Admit To Suppressing The Black Vote
A hearing was held Tuesday about Republican voter fraud scheme in North Carolina that civil rights advocates said suppressed the Black vote.
Aspiring and Bestselling Black Authors to Collaborate For One-of-a-Kind Con
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Africa: Emperor Haile Selassie Statue Joins List of Africa's Troubled Memorials
The unveiling of a statue to the Emperor Haile Selassie outside the African Union has stirred up a storm among Ethiopians and Eritreans. Some, including the Rastafarian community who still worship the Emperor as a god, were delighted.
Africa: Both Democracy and Authoritarianism Are On the Rise in Africa
Is democracy in Africa in retreat? Or is it simply suffering "growing pains"? The last 12 months have seen a great deal of controversy and debate on these important questions.
The Challenges & Opportunities Facing South-South Cooperation
Branislav Gosovic worked in UNCTAD, UNEP, UNECLAC, World Commission on Environment and Development, South Commission, and South Centre (1991-2005), and is the author of the recently-published book ‘The South Shaping the Global Future, 6 Decades of the South-North Development Struggle in the UN.
Colin Kaepernick Might Be Returning To The NFL
Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid settled their lawsuit with the NFL and reportedly won big. Now, Kaepernick’s lawyer predicts the 31-year-old will return to the NFL. Mark Geragos, who represented Kaepernick, told CNN.
Amazon is targeting customers in Kenya who want to pay in cash
Amazon is tapping into e-commerce customers in Kenya who want to pay for goods in cash. The e-commerce giant has rolled out a service that will allow customers to purchase goods and then pay for them at a local Western Union retail agent.
Kenya: Hopes High Before Ruling on Decriminalizing Gay Sex
Members of Kenya’s LGBT community are looking forward to a High Court ruling that might decriminalize gay sex. The impending ruling is raising hopes among LGBT persons across the region. South of Nairobi, in a remote town, models are in training in a safe house tucked in a quiet neighborhood.
Zimbabwe: Zim Shelves Plans to Join Continental Free Trade Area
GOVERNMENT has shelved plans to fully join the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) so that it could find space to stabilise local industry which is struggling to produce enough quality goods to compete outside.
'Resistance can be fun’: Angela Davis speaks in Alabama after award snub
“I have never loved Birmingham as much as I love Birmingham tonight,” Dr. Angela Davis said to a crowd at Boutwell Auditorium in downtown Birmingham.
Fela, Achebe and Saro-Wiwa were right about Nigeria’s politics
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and arguably its largest economy, is in electoral crisis following the 11th hour decision by the electoral commission to postpone polls due over the weekend.
The NBA is looking to Africa for basketball’s future talent and audience with Obama’s help
Basketball in Africa is getting a boost next year with the launch of the first NBA-affiliated regional league.
The African Union has a brilliant plan for Africa, if it could get it right
Traffic in Addis Ababa has returned to normal, presidential motorcades no longer clog the routes between the Ethiopian capital’s many hotels and the African Union headquarters. The 32nd AU summit has ended, and now the work begins as delegates return home.
The postponement of Nigeria’s elections will have major human and economic impact
On a day they expected to be voting for the president, frustrated Nigerians are having to change their plans. Hours before voting was due to begin today, the country’s electoral commission, INEC, announced its decision to delay the polls by a week. Given the timing of the announcement (around 2.
A new space agency signals Africa’s focus on harnessing geospatial data
After decades of playing catch-up, the African Union (AU) is doubling down on plans to join the global space race. The AU passed legislation to establish the African Space Agency in 2017 and has just approved Egypt as host country for the headquarters of the new agency.
Meet Gibran Tariq, Author & CEO of a New and Thriving Black-Owned Publishin
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Virginia Governor and Attorney General Minstrel Black Faces Evoke America's
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Kaepernick Won. The NFL Lost.
Technically, Colin Kaepernick withdrew his collusion case. Technically, the NFL did not admit that it conspired to blackball Kaepernick from the league after he began taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice. But nontechnically speaking, the NFL lost. Massively.
Nigeria: Women Shut Out of Nigeria's Poll By Violence, Fraud and Sexism
Dakar — Women were attacked, threatened with violence and forced to give up their places to men during the party primaries last year Experts predict the number of women who win seats in Nigeria's Saturday elections is likely to fall below the existing 6 percent - already one of the lowest rates in
Nigeria: Voting Under the Threat of Boko Haram
Voters in northeastern Nigeria are eager to cast their ballots in Saturday's crucial election. But the security challenges caused by Boko Haram are immense as DW's Thomas Mösch reports from Maiduguri. Traffic is dense in Maiduguri, the capital Nigeria's remote Borno State.
Cory Booker Points To Jussie Smollet’s Attack For Why Congress Must Pass Anti-Lynching Law
New Jersey’s Democratic Sen. Cory Booker has pointed to the racist and homophobic attack on actor Jussie Smollet to show the necessity for Congress to finally pass an anti-lynching law, which cleared a key hurdle Thursday as it winds its way through the legislative process. The U.S.
In Venezuela, White Supremacy Is a Key Driver of the Coup
The coup is, at it heart, a furious backlash of whiter and wealthier Venezuelans against the mixed race and Black majority. On January 23, right after a phone call from Donald Trump, Juan Guaidó, former speaker of Venezuela's National Assembly, declared himself president. No voting.
Atlanta School Cheating Scandal: The Untold Story of Corporate Greed & Criminalization of Teachers
As teacher strikes in Denver and Los Angeles join a wave of recent labor actions bringing attention to the plight of the American public school system, we take a fresh look at one of the largest public school scandals in U.S. history.
Young people running for office in Nigeria have goodwill and the law on their side—but it’s not enough
In 18 months, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went from being a bartender and political upstart in New York to being a United States congresswoman. Her journey entailed beating out a veteran heavyweight in the Democratic Party primaries despite being outspent.
People of Color Benefit From New Public Lands Protection Bill
Reaching across party lines—an act that is becoming increasingly rare—the Senate yesterday (February 12) passed a public lands act with overwhelming support from both Republicans and Democrats.
21 Savage Released From ICE Custody
The rapper’s attorneys joined activists and musical collaborators in demanding ICE release him and halt deportation proceedings.
Africa: Women Politicians in Africa Face Huge Odds but Can Make a Real Difference
Women are gaining ground in politics around the world. Last year, the so-called "pink wave" saw a record number of women elected to Congress in the US's mid-term elections. There are signs of progress in Africa, too.
Q&A: We Are Helping the World Mitigate Climate Change, Now it’s Time to Help Us
- The Caribbean nation of Suriname may be one of the most forested countries in the world, with some 93 percent of the country’s surface area being covered in forests, but it is also the most threatened as it struggles with the impacts of climate change.
Africa: Is This Africa's Newest Secession Dilemma?
The Volta region's contested history as part of Ghana has come to the fore again after a recent referendum. On 27 December 2018, Ghana held six referenda to demarcate new regions.
University of the Virgin Islands Becomes First Four-Year HBCU to Offer Free
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South Africa: Unions March for Workers' Rights
Cape Town — The Congress of South African Trade Unions has together with its affiliate unions, embarked on a national strike today. Among the union's concerns are the alarming rate of retrenchments and the high unemployment rate in the country.
21 Savage Is Released After Immigration Arrest, Lawyer Says
Rapper 21 Savage was released from detention on Tuesday after his arrest more than a week ago for being an undocumented immigrant, his lawyers announced. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials arrested the entertainer in Atlanta on Feb. 3.
New Texas Judge Dies After Historic Midterm Election Of Black Women
An African-American woman judge in Texas who was part of the historic wave of Black women candidates who swept into office last year has died. Cassandra Hollemon, 57, succumbed to an unspecified illness on Monday, the Houston Chronicle reported.
HBCU Wins $1.6 Million Grant To Help Develop Black Professionals For Space Industry
Morgan State University won a three-year, $1.6 million Aerospace Workforce and Leadership Development Grant from the nonprofit Base 11, the university announced on Monday. The award will fund a state-of-the-art rocketry lab and launch a student rocketry team.
Several Of Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax’s Staffers Reportedly Resigned
The chips are falling for Virginia’s lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax after being accused by two people of sexual assault. His entire staff has allegedly resigned. According to Richmond.com, “Two of the three government staffers to Lt. Gov.
HUD Official Ben Carson Sent To ‘Live’ In NYC Public Housing Is One Of Trump’s Sunken Place Frauds
Secretary of HUD Ben Carson sent one of President Trump’s most loyal Black supporters Monday to live temporarily in New York City public housing to find out what we already know about the poor quality of the projects.
Billions of Swedish Krona Supported the Struggle against Apartheid
- Between 1982 and 1988 Birgitta Karlström Dorph was on a secret mission in South Africa. “Why didn’t they stop us? Probably they were not aware of the scope of the operation. The money was transferred through so many different channels. We were clever, ” Karlström Dorph says.
Uganda: Non-Traditional Aid in Uganda - Weighing Private vs Public Priorities
Between July and November 2018, I had the opportunity to study the political economy of development effectiveness in Uganda. Similar studies have been made before. But the timing of this one is particularly interesting. The reasons are twofold:
Africa's Leaders Gather to Launch New Health Financing Initiative Aimed At Closing Funding Gap and Achieving Universal Health Coverage
press release Addis Ababa — African Heads of State and Government, Ministers of Health and Finance, business leaders and global partners gathered yesterday ahead of the 32nd Summit of the African Union (AU), to launch a new initiative aimed at increasing commitments for health, improving the impac
Just in Time for Black History Month, New Platform Brings Afrocentric Event
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Africa: Egypt President Abdel-Fattah El-Sissi Takes Over Chair of African Union
After being suspended from the African Union in 2013, Egypt is seeking to enhance its standing in Africa. Egypt's focus is on security, trade and migration.
The Congolese-American activist who scaled the Statue of Liberty isn’t backing down from taking on Trump
As a child in the Congo-Brazzaville, Therese Patricia Okoumou loved climbing things, particularly houses.
Africa's Free Trade Zone Is 'On Course'
Africa is trading - just not within the continent. The African Union wants to change this and launch the world's largest free trade area. The plan has potential, but some member states are keeping the AU in suspense.
ICYMI: Aaron McGruder Resurrects 'The Boondocks' Just in Time
Huey, Riley, Robert and Ruckus take on the presidential administration’s racist policies, Russian subterfuge and R. Kelly.
Trump’s ambassador pick for South Africa shows how disconnected the two countries are
If a businessman and reality show host can run a country, why can’t a handbag designer be an ambassador? Diplomacy is just one of the areas that Donald Trump’s presidency has turned on its head, seemingly moved by personal whims and friendly connections rather than strategic decisions.
South African Students Are Protesting - Again. Why It Needn't Be This Way
It's the beginning of South Africa's academic year and once again, campuses have been brought to a standstill by students protesting against a host of issues that have plagued the country's universities.
African Leaders Assess Refugees' Situation
Addis Ababa — The 34th session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council opened on Thursday in Addis Ababa assessed several dossiers, with highlights to the problematic of the refugees, whose situation is to be more closely analyzed during the summit to run on February 10 and 11.
Somalia: Chinese Deal Angers Fishing Communities, Sparks Concerns Over Sovereignty and Piracy
A new fishing deal signed between the Somalia government and vessels tied to the China Overseas Fisheries Association raises serious questions.
Black Working Class Will Never Abandon Venezuela!
“The struggles of the Black working-class, united around a national program must have international solidarity and must be understood within the context of an anti-imperialist struggle against global capitalism and the US-led imperialist global economic, military and political infrastructure.
How Chicago Could Get Its First Black Woman Mayor
African-American women voters in Chicago could flex their muscles at the ballot box later this month and help to make history by electing the city’s first Black woman mayor. Dorothy Brown, who’s no longer in the race, endorsed Amara Enyia for Chicago mayor on Jan.
Black Lawmakers Could Lead Virginia Past Blackface, Sex Scandals
Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) was expected to craft a statement that will serve as a guide for the party to follow, the Associated Press reported on Thursday.
Sudan: 'It's About Freedom' - Women On the Frontline of Sudan's Uprising
Nairobi — When public protests erupted in Sudan over the rising cost of bread almost two months ago, women's rights activist Hala Al-Karib did not hesitate to join the masses on the streets defying the security forces to voice their anger.
Support Emerges For the College Professor Who Accused Justin Fairfax Of Sexual Assault
A hashtag, #IBelieveVanessa, is getting a growing number of contributors on Twitter from people who support the Scripps College professor who accused Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of sexual assault—which he has denied.
Republican Kirk Cox Could Become Virginia Governor If Scandals Bring Down Democrats
The blackface and alleged sex assault scandals engulfing Virginia’s top Democrats could open the door for a Republican to become governor. On Wednesday, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring admitted that he too wore blackface.
Africa: How Russia Is Growing Its Strategic Influence in Africa
Much has been made about China's role and profile in Africa and the factors underlying its activities on the continent. Less debated is the spread and depth of Russia's contemporary presence and profile in Africa. There was a strong Russian influence in Africa during the heyday of the Soviet Union.
Africa: There Is 'Wind of Hope' in Africa : UN Chief
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday that there has been a "quantum leap" in relations between the world body and the African Union and he hopes this can translate into progress on some of the continent's biggest challenges.
Full Text: Read Stacey Abrams’ State Of The Union Response For Democrats
Stacey Abrams, a rising star within the Democratic Party, delivered a strong rebuttal in no uncertain terms to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night.
5 Takeaways From Stacey Abrams’ Powerful Response To Trump’s SOTU Address
We learned several things tonight from her response. Abrams is prepared for the national spotlight. She wasn’t intimidated by the high-pressure assignment. USA Today noted that previous political rising stars who delivered a rebuttal of a president stumbled while on the big stage.
Discovering the Excellence Within: Realizing My Greatness in South Africa
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The Super Bowl Had The Worst Ratings In A Decade
The Super Bowl was packed with controversy due to its treatment of Colin Kaepernick. Although many people dismissed the idea of a “boycott,” it may have been effective because the show had the worst ratings in a decade. The Associated Press reports the game was seen by 100.
The “debt-trap” narrative around Chinese loans shows Africa’s weak economic diplomacy
Hugging the shores of the Indian Ocean, Kenya’s Mombasa port is one of the biggest and busiest harbors in East Africa.
Patriots Safety Duron Harmon Attacked By MAGA Crazies Because He Will Not Go To The White House After Super Bowl Win
New England Patriots safety Duron Harmon is refusing to go to Trump’s White House after his team won the Super Bowl. He declined on Thursday, even before they won, and said no again today. The Make America Great Again crazies are outraged.
Virginia Legislative Black Caucus: Governor Northam Must Resign Over Blackface Yearbook Photo
Calls are mounting for Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to resign after a photo surfaced from his medical school yearbook page showing a man wearing blackface posing next to a man wearing a Ku Klux Klan outfit.
As Virginia Governor Waffles on Blackface Yearbook Photo, NAACP Leader Calls His Apology “Invalid”
Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is facing calls to resign after a photo surfaced on his 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook page showing a man wearing blackface posing next to a man wearing a Ku Klux Klan outfit.
Democrats Give Justin Fairfax A Vote Of Confidence As Northam Considers Resigning
Democrats have called Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax the right person to lead the state as Gov. Ralph Northam considers resigning amid controversy.
Cote d'Ivoire: Belgium Agrees to Take In Former Ivory Coast President
Belgium has agreed to take in former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo after his shock acquittal at the International Criminal Court. He was granted a conditional release by the ICC. He must remain in his host country.
Nigerian Women Struggle to Win Political Offices
When Nigerians go to the polls Feb. 16 for general elections, few will be expecting large numbers of female candidates to win.
South Africa: Cyril Ramaphosa's Relations With the West Sour On Eve of State of the Nation Address
Cyril Ramaphosa's policy of balanced global relationships hit the skids on Sunday when international relations minister Lindiwe Sisulu issued a démarche, a serious step in diplomatic relationships.
A Modern-Day Lynching?: “Always in Season” Looks at 2014 Hanging in NC & Legacy of Racial Terrorism
As we mark the beginning of Black History Month, we look at “Always in Season,” a disturbing new documentary that examines lynching in the United States both past and present.
South Africa: ANC Looking for a Way Out On Land Issue, Malema Unfiltered
EFF leader Julius Malema says the ANC is looking for a way out of expropriation without compensation.
Kamala Harris And Cory Booker Presidential Campaigns Quietly Connect With Black Community
Democratic presidential contenders, Sens. Kamala Harris of California and New Jersey’s Cory Booker, appeared to pursue the all-important Black vote quietly–not calling too much attention to their blackness.
Northam Exercises The Same White Privilege Steve King Has For Years
Virginia’s Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam played his white privilege card in defying calls to resign over his connection to a racist photograph—just like Iowa’s GOP Rep. Steve King has successfully done for many years.
The Black Panther Party, Malcom X, and the question of revolutionary politics today: An interview with Kathleen Cleaver
On July 25, 2018—ensuing meeting at a symposium hosted by King’s College London, entitled 68 and its Legacies—Sophia Freeman interviewed prominent 1960s & ‘70s radical Kathleen Cleaver via Skype.
The Black Panther Party and community organizing: An interview with Bobby Seale
The following is an edited transcript of an interview with Bobby Seale on July 9th, 2018 at Platypus UC Berkeley’s New Left reading group. Bobby Seale cofounded the Black Panther Party with Huey Newton in 1966.
Vanguard or Avant-Garde? Revisiting questions on leadership: Part 1: The vanguard debate in history
This is the first of a two-part article written by Alexander Riccio. The second part, “Towards a new vanguard theory,” will appear in PR #114 in March, 2019. Vanguardism is alive and well in the 21st century, yet it rarely gets named as such.
South Africa: EFF Denounces Xenophobia Ahead of SA Polls
Soshanguve — Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, has expressed solidarity with Zimbabweans and other African nationals ahead of the forthcoming elections in neighbouring South Africa.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority To Donate $1.6M To HBCUs During Black History Month
The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are pushing #BlackExcellence forward. In the spirit of Black History Month, the sorority has pledged to donate over $1.6 million to historically Black colleges and universities throughout February, the Philadelphia Tribune reported.
East Africa: EAC Review Somalia's Bid to Join the Regional Block
The East African Community (EAC) member states review Somalia's application to join the block. The official opening of the rebranded East African Business Council (EABC) in Arusha, Tanzania on Friday said it is reviewing the application process tabled the Horn of African Nation.
Governor Of Virginia Refuses To Resign After Racist Images Surface
Images have surfaced of Virginia Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam‘s medical school yearbook page from 1984, which contained a photograph of two unidentified men, one in blackface and the other in a Ku Klux Klan costume. There have been calls to resign, but the governor refuses.
Sudan: Bashir Reopens Sudan Border With Eritrea, Dismisses Protests
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has ordered the reopening of his country's border with Eritrea. Sudan's eastern border had been closed since last year following the announcement of a state of emergency in the regions of Kassala and North Kordofan.
Africa: What Effect Did the US Shutdown Have On Foreign Aid?
New York — New York - The US government shutdown may be over, but the uncertainty it caused for the aid and development community isn't going anywhere.
Nigeria: Lessons From Nigeria On How Public Engagement Can Curb Corruption
Government corruption is a global challenge and a major obstacle to economic and social development. It compromises the delivery of valuable projects, distorts government and makes it impossible to transfer resources to citizen.
Democrats Shut Down Kamala Harris’ Proposal To End Private Health Plans
Sen. Kamala Harris created some strong buzz among progressives at her town hall with Jake Tapper on CNN Monday night. However, there was one proposal that wasn’t getting support among established Democrats — the idea of shutting down private health plans.
Right-Wing Nationalism Threatens Democratic Norms, Human Rights & Press Freedom
- The steady decline in multilateralism—accompanied by a rise in unilateralism– is beginning to threaten democratic norms, including press freedom, global governance, civic participation and human rights across Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East.
East Africa: KenGen Named Region's Best Sustainable Power Producer
Nairobi — Kenya Electricity Generating Company (PLC) has emerged East Africa's Best Sustainable Power Producer in the 2018 Capital Finance International Awards. KenGen won the award for its deliberate focus on renewable energy - which accounts for 84 per cent of the company's power sources.
Rwanda: Prosecution Seeks Life Sentence for Genocide Convict Bandora
Prosecution implored Supreme Court to hand life sentence to Charles Bandora, a Genocide convict who appealed against the 30 years imprisonment handed to him by High Court.
Western Sahara: Concrete Progress is Needed to Build Momentum in Western Sahara Peace Talks
New York — Earlier today (January 29, 2019), the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara, Mr Horst Kӧhler, briefed the UN Security Council.
With Stacey Abrams, Democrats Look For Black Women To Save Them, Again
Democrats have picked Stacey Abrams to rebut President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address next month, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Tuesday.
Sweden’s first hijabi lawmaker is gearing to fight against social and racial inequality
Leila Ali Elmi’s childhood was an exercise in the future awaiting her in politics. At age two, she arrived in Sweden along with her family after fleeing the civil war in her homeland Somalia.
Nigeria’s president Buhari failed to fix Nigeria’s economy, but still has the edge this election
Muhammadu Buhari’s election four years ago as Nigerian president was greeted with great enthusiasm, and expectation. US President Barack Obama invited him to the White House less than two months after his inauguration, an honor rarely accorded to newly elected African leaders.
Zimbabwe: SA Opposition Party to Approach ICC, UN Over Zimbabwe Crisis
South Africa — The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party will write to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as part of its interventions to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe.
Nigeria: War Against Corruption - Angry Nigerians Storm U.S. Embassy Over Alliance
Nigerians on Monday stormed the United States Embassy to register their grievances over the interferences of the country in the nation's domestic affairs.
Mookie Betts Snubs Trump, Won’t Visit White House With World Series Champion Red Sox
Mookie Betts is one of the most famous faces in baseball. His team, the Boston Red Sox, won the 2018 World Series and on Saturday he accepted the Most Valuable Player award at the 96th annual New York Baseball Writers’ Association of America dinner.
South Africa: Fees Must Fall Activist Bonginkosi Khanyile Sentenced to 3 Years House Arrest
Fees Must Fall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile has been sentenced to three years house arrest and must undergo life skills courses. Khanyile appeared in the Durban Regional Court on Monday to hear his sentencing, having been convicted on public violence charges in August.
Zimbabwe: What Next for the Reform Agenda?
When Emmerson Mnangagwa took over the leadership of Zanu PF and became the head of state there was a perfectly choreographed plan to carve out his image as a reformer.
A Libyan photographer documented his country’s crisis. Then it cost him his life
In the eight years since the ousting of longtime strongman Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has been overcome with chaos and sorrow, and a power vacuum that has led extremist militias to vie for control.
South Africa: By Supporting Maduro, South Africa Turns a Blind Eye to Venezuela's Agony
On 26 January 2019, the Security Council of the United Nations held a special session to discuss recent events in Venezuela. Of the 15 member countries of this body, only four voted against debating this issue. Unfortunately, South Africa was one.
Africa: Are Rwanda and South Africa Irreconcilable?
The slow but stubborn unfolding of justice in a humble magistrate's court in South Africa continues to embarrass both Rwanda's President Paul Kagame and South Africa's Cyril Ramaphosa. It also undermines their intentions to normalise relations between their countries.
Gambia: The Gambia Must Heal Its Social and Political Divisions
Two years after its first democratic transition, The Gambia continues to face many challenges, including rebuilding national cohesion that was eroded during the Yahya Jammeh regime.
Africa: China's Growth Will Create More Opportunities for Africa - Envoy
Chinese ambassador to Rwanda, Rao Hongwei, has said that the Asian country's development will create more opportunities for Rwanda and Africa in general. The envoy was speaking on Saturday at a reception organised to mark the Chinese New Year at the Chinese embassy in Kigali.
Black Pediatrician Becomes California’s First Surgeon General
Black women are making history in the field of medicine. According to the San Francisco Examiner, pediatrician and youth activist Dr. Nadine Burke Harris was appointed to become the state of California’s first surgeon general.
Kamala Harris Officially Launches Presidential Bid From Oakland, Days After Her Rally With Black Sorority
California’s Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris tweeted an invitation for supporters to join her Sunday afternoon in Oakland where she planned to announce her 2020 presidential campaign. This comes on the heels of a fundraising gala Friday night with her Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority sisters.
Sudan: El Sadig El Mahdi - 'Sudan Regime Like Anglo-Egyptian Colonialists'
Khartoum — El Sadig El Mahdi, Head of the National Umma Party and chairman of the Sudan Call coalition, has strongly condemned the killing of demonstrators and the excessive violence against them during the past month.
Marshawn Lynch Is Pushing Back Against Gentrification In Oakland
When NFL running back Marshawn Lynch isn’t breaking through tackles on the football field, he’s breaking barriers for underserved communities. Lynch has continually used his platform as an avenue to give back to his hometown of Oakland, California.
Uganda: Hypocrisy of African Union
Last month there was an election in the Congo, a country that goes by the rather lofty and presumptuous name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Zimbabwe Now 'War Zone' Says Citizen Allegedly Assaulted by Security Forces
Some citizens in Zimbabwe say the country resembles a war zone. They want President Emmerson Mnangagwa to rein in military forces, which reportedly continue assaulting Zimbabweans a week after the country's protests over a fuel price hike.
Zimbabwe: Emmerson Mnangagwa Exposed
Ever since he assumed office in 2017, the big question has been whether President Emmerson Mnangagwa could stop Zimbabwe's economic slide before social unrest erupted in response to biting hardships, driving away the very investment that could prevent further economic decline.
Democracy isn’t doing much better in the West than it is in Africa, despite our perceptions
One day, if they follow instructions, Africa’s new democracies will grow up to be “real” like those of Western Europe and North America. This assumption makes little sense – but it influences the way many people in the West and in Africa think about African democracies.
Congo-Kinshasa: Opinion - Major Challenges Follow Peaceful Transfer of Power in DR Congo
After a disputed election, Felix Tshisekedi is the new president of DRC. Not an easy job, says DW's Andrea Schmidt, especially since he only won with the help of the former Kabila administration.
What Sheila Jackson Lee Scandal Means For The CBC And The New Congress
The political fallout following Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee‘s abrupt resignation on Wednesday from two key posts could extend well beyond the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and end up having major implications for the Democratic Party.
A Pragmatic Shift Needed, to Deliver the Potential of Blue Economy
- It’s estimated that 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. Unfortunately, our water resources are under serious threats attributable to uncontrolled human activities that are severely impacting livelihoods and the ecosystem.
African countries have to work together to slow the rising power of credit rating agencies
The rising gap between developmental needs and available financial resources—including poor revenue collection – has pushed sub-Saharan African governments to consider different options to support their budgets.
Africa: WEF19 - Kagame Makes Case for an Institutionally Strong Africa
President Paul Kagame has said that the African continent can no longer continue to delegate responsibility for its growth and development to external parties.
Black Woman In Jail For Voting Is Being Harassed By Texas County, Lawyer Insists
In one of the most unjust cases in recent history Crystal Mason, a 43-year-old mother of three, is currently in a Texas prison for voting while on supervised release. Her vote for Hillary Clinton in Fort Worth, Texas in November of 2016 was a provisional ballot, which wasn’t counted.
Flint Launches Program to Help Kids Who Need Special Education Services Because of Water Crisis
Of the many well documented consequences of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan—including a decrease in fertility and an increase in infant deaths—there is another that has not gotten as much press: lead exposure in children can negatively impact IQ, concentration and academic achievement.
How HBCUs Could Carry Kamala Harris Deep Into The Democratic Primary
The network of more than 100 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU), clustered mostly in the South, and alumni throughout the nation could help push one of their own deep into the 2020 presidential Democratic primary race. California’s Sen.
Southern Africa: Will Dropping Zimbabwe's Sanctions Harm or Help?
The violent crackdown on nationwide protests by Zimbabwe security forces was met by deafening silence from the country's neighbours and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional block. The violent unrest erupted after a steep hike in the price of fuel.
Zimbabwe Re-Looks East As It Abandons Western Pursuit
Moscow — Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, widely blamed for ongoing deadly protests in his country, looks to have ditched his mission to re-engage influential Western nations in his bid for economic revival.
Africa: Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Says France Creates Poverty in Africa
Luigi Di Maio, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister has infuriated France with his comments that France has "never stopped colonizing Africa" and its colonial-style policies in Africa are "impoverishing" Africans.
Solar Energy Begins to Light Up Favelas in Rio de Janeiro
- “We can’t work just to pay the electric bill,” complained José Hilario dos Santos, president of the Residents Association of Morro de Santa Marta, a favela or shantytown embedded in Botafogo, a traditional middle-class neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro.
Chad Republic has kept social media shut for 300 days and counting
For almost a year now, people across Chad Republic in have not been able to access social media networks. The social media block began on Mar.
Kamala Harris On Being African-American And Indian, She Describes Herself As A ‘Proud American’
Yesterday, on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Sen. Kamala Harris announcing she was running for president. She conducted her first press conference at Howard University and joined the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Sudan: Will Sudan's Latest Protests Bring Down Bashir?
Street protests that started in the north-eastern Sudanese city of Atbara over bread and fuel price hikes on 19 December have snowballed into weeks of widespread anti-government protests demanding regime change. Popular street protests in Sudan are not unusual.
Tanzania: Magufuli Has Steadily Tightened the Noose On Media Freedom. Here's How
Last year two foreign journalists were detained in Tanzania. Both were members of the Committee To Protect Journalists (CPJ) - a non-governmental organisation that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists.
Zimbabwe is sliding into violent political meltdown as its dire economy comes off the rails
Zimbabwe is sliding into a violent meltdown and it’s expected to worsen, unless there are some serious interventions. Days of mass protests have been characterized by violence, looting and heavy-handedness by the police and army.
Africa: Ecowas, Others Move to Eliminate Child Marriage in West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed commitment to eliminate child marriage in the region through the validation and implementation of its reviewed Child Policy and Plan of Action. ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, Dr.
Mozambique: Ex-Minister's Arrest Opens Can of Worms in Mozambique
Maputo — The arrest of a former finance minister as well as the indictment of several other government officials has bust wide open the level of government corruption in Mozambique and to an extent, raised some concern in Angola where some firms indicted in Mozambique are present.
Sen. Kamala Harris announces she will run for president in 2020
California Sen. Kamala Harris announced Monday that she will run for president in 2020, joining an increasingly crowded field of Democrats seeking to challenge President Donald Trump.
Congo-Kinshasa: Making Sense of the Struggle for Democracy
On January 10, amid much controversy, the national electoral commission announced that Félix Tshisekedi had won the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) presidential poll. Prior to this, unofficial voting results leaked to diplomats and the press suggested Martin Fayulu had won.
Southern Africa: DA to Approach International Criminal Court If Ramaphosa 'Fails' to Intervene in Zimbabwe Crisis
The DA plans to approach the International Criminal Court (ICC) if President Cyril Ramaphosa fails to intervene directly to stop the "ongoing human rights violations" on Zimbabweans, allegedly by president Emmerson Mnangagwa's government.
Zimbabwe: Govt Issues Stern Warning As Activists Call New 5-Day Shutdown Protest
Anti-government activists have called for a second, and this time five-day, shutdown protest beginning Monday, prompting the administration to warn that "we will not hesitate to enforce the law".
Africa: Mboweni - South Africa Plans to Help Bail Out Zimbabwe
South Africa is planning to extend short-term credit to Zimbabwe and also to help it write off its US$7.4-billion external debt, to prevent its neighbour spiralling out of control. Critics say this will be a waste of money unless it can pressure Zanu-PF to make political reforms.
Kenya: MP Kuria Roots for a Hybrid System of Government
Nairobi — Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has come out to support a hybrid system of government, in a memorandum sent to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) on Friday.
Southern Africa: Africa's Revolutions Have Brought Disappointment - But Hope Remains
When I immigrated to the United States from South Africa towards the end of the 1960's I was totally unaware of the wars of liberation against Portuguese colonialism that had begun in the early 1960's in the neighboring countries of Mozambique and Angola.
Louisville International Airport To Be Named After Muhammad Ali
The late legendary boxer and social activist Muhammad Ali will receive a major honor from his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. According to the Courier Journal, the city will rename Louisville International Airport after Ali.
Sentence In Police Killing Of Laquan McDonald Inspires Activists To Call For Political Change
Black activists are calling for political action after a white former Chicago cop received a light sentence on Friday for gunning down Laquan McDonald in 2014. “If you’re a Black Chicagoan, don’t protest. Don’t take to the streets.
Iranian TV Anchor Detained By US Authorities Is An African-American
Marzieh Hashemi, the TV anchor on Iranian state television who was jailed Jan. 13 in the U.S., is a Black Muslim journalist born in the United States. Protesters demand to know exactly why she was detained by federal agents in St. Louis after visiting relatives in the New Orleans area.
South Africa: Khoisan Will Continue to Camp Outside Union Buildings Until Their Demands Are Met
Using the Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for shade, six Khoisan, led by Chief Khoisan SA, said the time for talking about their demands was over.
DR Congo’s top court has upheld a controversial election result for a Tshisekedi win
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s highest court has ruled to uphold the national electoral commission’s controversial declaration of Felix Tshesekedi as winner of the Dec. 30 presidential elections. The ruling, which came in the early hours of Sunday (Jan.
Sudan protests one month on: 'This time it's different'
Burri, Sudan - It's been a month since a wave of anti-government protests began in Sudan. I'll admit, at first, I didn't expect it to last this long.
VPNs are now a part of life for Zimbabweans trying to get around a government internet shutdown
In the wake of nationwide internet shutdowns, ordinary Zimbabweans are circumventing censorship through VPNs. Zimbabwean authorities shut down the internet on Tuesday (Jan. 19) following widespread protests that led to the deaths of at least six people and the arrest of more than 600.
LA Teachers Strike Enters Fifth Day with Thousands of Supporters
After more than a year of contract negotations with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), thousands of public teachers went on strike this week for the first time in three decades.
Africa: The AU Should Challenge Election Bodies Over Questionable Results
It is unusual for the AU to speak out against official election results in member states but it has now cast doubt on the preliminary results announced in DR Congo. It is high time for this, says DW's Mohammed Khelef.
Zimbabwe: Revolt and Repression in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean government's decision to hike fuel prices has sparked fierce opposition. In this Q&A, Crisis Group's Senior Consultant Piers Pigou explains how economic hardship is driving ordinary citizens to unprecedented acts of resistance. What triggered this explosion of unrest?
Zimbabwe: Five Killed as Government Attacks Fuel Hike Protesters
In Zimbabwe, at least five people have been killed and hundreds more arrested after government forces moved to suppress nationwide protests against the government’s move to more than double the cost of fuel. As protests began Monday, the government shut down internet access nationwide and deployed the military to the streets of Harare and other cities. Hundreds of people were reportedly beaten and arrested as authorities raided homes. Tichaona Zimunya: “Soldiers broke into our house in the middle of the night, destroying property in the process. They took turns to beat us, and our room was full of blood.” Tapiwa Kaseke: “They had no mercy. They wanted to kill us. But l managed to escape.” Fuel prices in Zimbabwe are now among the most expensive in the world.
L.A. Teachers’ Strike Enters Fifth Day as Oakland Teachers Hold One-Day Strike
And in California, contract negotiations between Los Angeles school district officials and the union representing more than 30,000 teachers are set to resume today, after marathon talks Thursday failed to bring an end to the strike—now in its fifth day. Meanwhile, teachers in Oakland are planning a one-day wildcat strike today to protest stalled contract talks. Oakland teachers say they’re struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living has risen 14 percent across the Bay Area over the past five years; teachers are demanding a 12 percent pay increase over the next three years.
Mozambique: Renamo Will Continue to Pursue Peace, Says Momade
Maputo — The newly elected President of Mozambique's main opposition party, the former rebel movement Renamo, Ossufo Momade, declared on Thursday that Renamo is committed to peace and will lay down its weapons in order to join the national development agenda.
Zimbabwe: What Now After a 2nd Internet Shutdown, and Treason Charges for Activists?
Cape Town — Zimbabwe's government has again forced a "total Internet shutdown", Misa Zimbabwe says, after a violent crackdown by police when huge crowds protested against dramatic fuel price increases.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Has Officially Been Labeled ‘The Most Dangerous Person In America’
Republicans are truly afraid of a Puerto Rican girl from the Bronx. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has stormed in Washington, D.C. holding no punches on anyone who is not properly serving the people.
Uganda: Human Rights Report Pins Uganda On Torture
Kampala — Government has failed to provide accountability for torture and extrajudicial killings in the country, Human Rights Watch (HRW), has said in latest report.
Africa: Europe - Leaders Manufacturing Migration 'Crisis' for Political Gain - New Report
European leaders are distorting the debate on migration for political gain and abandoning refugees and migrants at sea, Amnesty International said today (18 January) as it published a new report into migration across the Mediterranean.
STUDY: Why the Ban on Pell Grants for Incarcerated People Should Be Lifted
The Vera Institute of Justice and the Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality released a new report on Wednesday (January 16) called, “Investing in Futures: Economic and Fiscal Benefits of Postsecondary Education in Prison.
Louisville Renames Airport After Muhammad Ali
“It is a fitting testament to his legacy.”
Illinois Governor Finally Grants Clemency to Innocent Black Man Who Died In
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South Africa: No Citizenship, No Financial Aid - Refugee Students in SA Get Raw Deal
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme received almost half a million applications for the funding of higher education in 2019. Among those who need not bother applying, however, are students who do not have a South African ID book.
Zimbabwe: Govt Orders Second Full Internet Shutdown As Mnangagwa Eats Cake With 'Europe's Last Dictator'
The government ordered another nationwide internet shutdown Thursday - the second this week - ignoring local and global condemnation of its brutal crackdown against protestors and the adverse impact of the cyber-censorship on an already tanking economy.
What You Should Know About Lebron James' I Promise School
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Kenya: Probe Intensified for Riverside Drive Attack After 11 Suspects Arrested
Police are closing in on more suspects believed to have played part in the terror attack at 14 Riverside Drive Complex, after the arrest of 9 on Thursday.
Nigeria: Atiku Visits America After 12 Years
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will arrive the United States any moment from now, crossing one of the most serious political hurdles on his path ahead of the upcoming general elections.
6 Black Celebrities Who Give Back to the Community
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Calls To Boycott GM Grow As Black Workers Sue For Racist Work Environment
Multiple current and former employees of General Motors have sued the automaking giant over accusations of a racist workplace environment that included everything from nooses to being called the N-word and even a “whites only” sign.
Freedom Rider: Kamala Harris Destroyed Black Lives
Harris has spent her career locking up Black and brown people. She should not be allowed to shake hands, kiss babies or walk into black churches without being taken to task.
Africa: Civil Society Petitions AU Over Zimbabwe Crisis
Harare — Civil society organisations in Zimbabwe have petitioned the African Union (AU) to intervene and resolve the crisis in the country after a strike over fuel increases left at least eight people dead.
Southern Africa: New Leaders Can Do More for Rights
Johannesburg — New leadership in key Southern Africa countries renewed hope for greater respect for human rights, but the region's leaders failed to live up to expectations in 2018, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2019.
Mauritania: Repressive Laws Restrict Peaceful Speech
Geneva — Mauritanian authorities used a litany of harsh and overbroad laws on terrorism, cybercrime, apostasy, and criminal defamation to prosecute and jail human rights defenders, activists, bloggers, and political dissidents during 2018, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing its World Repor
Egypt: New Moves to Crush Dissent
Beirut — Egyptian authorities increasingly relied on counterterrorism and state of emergency laws to crush peaceful dissent during 2018, including by prosecuting journalists and human rights activists, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2019.
Experience With Irregular Migration is the Best Teacher
- The International Organization For Migration (IOM) has taken its campaign against irregular migration to schools in Nigeria. The school campaigns are meant to educate children who are among victims of human traffickers.
African countries should be building private-public partnerships in higher education
Private-public partnerships have become a common strategy for countries all over the world to meet their development goals. In the global north, these partnerships – which bring capital and expertise together – tend to focus on developing infrastructure.
Zimbabwe: Govt Restores Internet, Maintains Freeze On Facebook, Twitter
Zimbabwe's paranoid government Wednesday restored the internet but kept social media sites blocked as tensions remained high in a country that has seen violent protests past three days.
Black Lawmaker Gives Perfect Reason For Rejecting Resolution That Condemns Steve King’s Racism
The lone vote against a House of Representatives resolution that denounced white supremacy said the resolution is aimed at an “unrepentant” GOP lawmaker who “wrote the president’s playbook” on how to be a racist while in government. See Also: Sen.
DNC Stops Supporting Women’s March After Tamika Mallory’s Comments On Minister Louis Farrakhan
Tamika Mallory, co-founder of the Woman’s March, appeared on “The View” earlier this week and was attacked by Meghan McCain for her support of Minister Louis Farrakhan. Now, the Democratic National Committee has pulled out of the Women’s March, which is this Saturday.
Africa: How Harvesting Natural Products Can Help Rural People Beat Poverty
Every day, people around the world harvest natural products like fungi, plants, bark, flowers, honey and nuts. These non-timber forest products, as they are known, can play an important role - particularly for people living in rural areas. Products like honey and nuts can be sold.
Essence Honors Black Women in Hollywood
Regina Hall, KiKi Layne, Jenifer Lewis and Amandla Stenberg each have their own cover.
The acquittal of Côte d’Ivoire’s ex-president is another blow to the ICC’s future
Just less than three years into their trial former Côte d’Ivoire president Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé, leader of the youth militia, have been acquitted and ordered to be released by the International Criminal Court (ICC). They were both faced four charges of crimes against humanity.
What Court’s 2020 Census Ruling Against Trump Means For The Black Community
Advocates for minority communities breathed a sigh of relief after a federal court ruled against the Trump administration’s push to include a citizenship question on the upcoming 2020 Census. However, the legal battle over how political power and resources are distributed will likely continue.
NYPD Forced To Admit Spying On Black Lives Matter Protestors
The New York City Police Department was backed into a legal corner after a state judge ruled that the department must respond to a public records request about its monitoring of Black Lives Matter protesters’ cell phones and social media activities.
How we build national institutions plays a crucial role in ensuring prosperity for developing nations
Even with most institutional reform projects failing, it is understandable why trying to change a poor country’s institutions feels so urgent. In many poor countries, the government is often the only game in town and wields significant influence on the economy.
Cote d'Ivoire: ICC Trial Chamber I acquits Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Blé Goudé From All Charges
Today, 15 January 2019, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court"), by majority, Judge Herrera Carbuccia dissenting, acquitted Mr Laurent Gbagbo and Mr Charles Blé Goudé from all charges of crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Côte d'Ivoire in 2010 and 2011.
How A Government Shutdown Disrespects Martin Luther King’s Legacy
Tuesday marked the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,’s 90th birthday, but the longest government shutdown in history was doing a great disservice to the civil rights icon’s timeless legacy of fighting for the people.
Top 12 Scholarship Programs For Black/ African American Students in 2019
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Africa: Why There's a Case for Giving Foreign Aid to Authoritarian Regimes
Should democracies give foreign aid to countries that are not democracies? Democratic aid donors don't have enough money to do all the things they want to in the world, so they need to find ways to decide how to ration aid.
Africa: UN Lambasted On High-Level Appointments
United Nations — The world's developing countries, comprising over two-thirds of the 193 UN member states, are complaining they are not being adequately represented in the higher echelons of the world body -- despite competent candidates with strong professional and academic qualifications vying f
Actors Danny Glover & Delroy Lindo Return to Leadership Academy for Black T
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Congo-Kinshasa: Authoritarian Out – But What's Next in DRC?
The presidential and parliamentary elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo have put hopes for real change on hold, but a weekend court challenge by the opposition instead of calls for street protests has dampened immediate fears of widespread political violence.
South Africa: Ramaphosa Sets Out a Bold Vision for South Africa. but Can He Pull It Off?
As South Africa heads for the polls in a few months time in its sixth democratic election, political party electioneering has begun in earnest.
Simmons College Launches Initiative To Recruit, Retain More Black Teachers
Representation is everything, especially in the realm of education. According to a study released by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Black students who have two Black teachers are 32 percent more likely to pursue their college education.
Sudan: Imams in Khartoum Condemn Sudan Regime's Violence At Protests
Khartoum — In their Friday sermons, a number of imams in various mosques in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum launched fierce attacks on the government and the security forces, condemning the killing of demonstrators.
Zimbabwe Faces Fresh Protests Amid Collapsing Economy
Harare — Zimbabwe is set for a new wave of public protests following a deepening economic crisis marked by closure of companies and skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, among them fuel.
Nigerian Female Rap Artists As Endangered Species
Yinka Olatunbosun probes the dearth of Nigerian female artists in a male-dominated rap music industry to unearth the untold story of women in the music scene MUSIC Take it or trash it, one of the most emblematic music collaborations ever recorded in Nigeria's hip-hop history is the classic track "To
Uganda: Opposition Political Parties in Unity Talks
Mukono — Three registered Opposition political parties are in talks to unite ahead of preparations for the next election, their leaders have said.
Thousands Face Threat Of Eviction After HUD Contracts Expire Due To Shutdown
With the partial government shutdown on the verge of becoming the longest in U.S. history, many housing advocates fear thousands of low-income Americans are at risk of being evicted.
Should anyone really own the phrase “Hakuna Matata”?
The Walt Disney Company, a purveyor of cultural products, services and experiences, showcases stories primarily to Americans, then Europeans and people wherever they have Disney Worlds or Disneyland Resorts, and lastly to the rest of the world.
Philly prosecutors discover mysterious ‘six boxes’ connected to Mumia Abu-Jamal in storage room
Days after Christmas, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and some of his assistants went rummaging around an out-of-the-way storage room in the office looking for some pieces of furniture.
A South African university is replacing a colonial ruler’s name with a symbolic and powerful figure
The crown jewel in University of Cape Town’s (UCT’s) symmetrically pleasing main campus is its hall. The campus lies in linear regularity against the iconic backdrop of Devil’s Peak, part of the spectacular mountain range that circles the city.
How Prosecutors Contribute to Mass Incarceration
A new animated video from Color of Change anchors the group's 100 Days of Justice campaign to hold reform-minded prosecutors accountable.
WATCH: Gary Clark Jr. Confronts America's Anti-Black Heritage in New Video
“This Land” indicts the racism the blues artist has faced since his childhood in Texas.
Sudan's Protest Crackdown 'Impacts Our Bilateral Phased Engagement' - EU Body
Brussels — The European External Action Service (EEAS) has condemned the Sudanese authorities violent repression of protest, arrest of journalist and for not ensuring the right for freedom of expression of Sudanese citizens.
Gambia: A Deeper Look At Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission
The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) opened this week in the Gambia as part of an initiative to tackle alleged human rights violations committed during the 22 years of Yahya Jammeh's iron rule.
DR Congo’s back-room election deal has given us a weak president-elect and a stronger opposition
Félix Tshisekedi is the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) president elect. He is the leader of one of the DRC’s longest serving opposition parties, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress. Before the election, he joined forces with Vital Kamerhe and his Coalition for Change.
Blue Economy Can be a Lifeline for Africa
- By efficient management, the sustainable exploitation of resources in oceans, seas, lakes and rivers—also known as the blue economy—could contribute up to $1.
Trump May Raid Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Funds for Border Wall
The protests came as President Trump traveled to McAllen, Texas, along the U.S.-Mexico border Thursday to repeat his demand for more than $5 billion in funding for a border wall. In what would be an unprecedented move, Trump is considering declaring a national emergency in a bid to circumvent Congress, and he has ordered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to look into raiding funds from a $13.9 billion disaster relief bill meant to help Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas and California recover from deadly hurricanes and wildfires. After a photo-op at the border, Trump granted an interview to Fox News host Sean Hannity, who was reportedly given special access to the president by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Bill Shine—a former Fox News executive. Sean Hannity: “Now, you said earlier today that it’s likely, that you’re very likely going to declare a national emergency. How soon would that happen?” President Donald Trump: “No, if we don’t make a deal with Congress, most likely I will do that. I would actually say I would. I can’t imagine any reason why not, because I’m allowed to do it. The law is 100 percent on my side.” In fact, many legal scholars and lawmakers say such a move would violate federal law and could set a dangerous precedent. Carol Rose of the American Civil Liberties Union said, “He can try, but he’s going to be challenged in court by the ACLU and by about a million other groups.”
Exclusive: Angela Davis Speaks Out on Palestine, BDS & More After Civil Rights Award Is Revoked
AMY GOODMAN: The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is continuing to come under fire after rescinding a human rights award for the scholar, civil rights activist and author Angela Davis. In September, the institute announced it would award Davis the Fred L.
"Sistas on Fire! A Newsical" -- A Musical Revue That Examines Pressing Soci
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Denton Black Film Festival to Launch New Institute to Empower Filmmakers, W
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Facing Mass Deportation, Haitians Sue Trump to Preserve Temporary Protected Status
A New York City trial is challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to end temporary protected status—known as TPS—for more than 50,000 Haitians living in the U.S. Tens of thousands of Haitians were granted TPS after an earthquake devastated their country nine years ago this week.
There Are Thousands of Cyntoia Browns: Mariame Kaba on Criminalization of Sexual Violence Survivors
Cyntoia Brown was granted full clemency by Republican Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam on Monday after serving 15 years in prison. The decision follows months of intense public pressure and outrage over her case.
Judge Rules Florida Governor Ignored Elections Chief’s Constitutional Rights
Besieged Broward County Elections Supervisor Brenda Snipes won a legal battle against Florida’s former Gov. Rick Scott who effectively fired her, but she must now face his successor, Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has a long history of racism. U.S.
Angola: EU Releases 65 Million Euro to Aid Family Farming
Lubango — The European Union (EU) made available 65 million Euros this year to aid the execution of the Reinforcement, Resilience and Nutritional Food Security Programme (FRESAN) in the southern region of Angola.
The results of DR Congo’s historic presidential elections are being heavily disputed
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s first ever democratic transfer of power since its independence from Belgium in 1960 is not happening without incident. Barely hours after Felix Tshisekedi was announced as president-elect, the election results are being disputed.
Congo-Kinshasa: 2018 Elections - An Analysis of Implausible Results
What are the chances that Felix Tshisekedi really won? Early this morning, the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) finally announced official but provisional results from the Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential elections held on 30 December 2018.
Gabon: Despite Massive Discontent, Gabonese Want Democracy and Reject Military Rule, Survey Shows (Afrobarometer)
Libreville, Gabon — Despite massive public dissatisfaction with the status quo, Gabonese citizens strongly support democracy and reject military and one-man rule, Afrobarometer's most recent national survey shows.
Inside the Long, Hard Fight to Stop the Bayou Bridge Oil Pipeline
Cherri Foytlin, a water protector of Din’e and Cherokee heritage from Louisiana, likes to tell a story about going to jail in Texas. In October 2018, Foytlin traveled to Dallas to protest an Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) shareholders meeting.
A search for Mozambique’s secret $2 billion debt shows how the global banking system aids corruption
From a solitary jail cell east of Johannesburg, Mozambique’s former finance minister is fighting extradition to the United States. Manuel Chang was arrested on Dec. 29 at O. R. Tambo International Airport, en route to Dubai from Maputo.
Africa: A Referendum On Land Reform in South Africa? Brexit Suggests Not
There are many valid reasons for calling for a deepening of democracy in South Africa, despite the fact that it has regular free elections and constitutional mechanisms designed to promote public participation in lawmaking.
Africa: Presidential Elections to Watch in Africa This Year
After the relentless electoral drama across Africa last year, several countries will hold presidential polls this year. The most significant general elections, after the DR Congo one, will be held in Nigeria, South Africa, Mozambique, Libya, Malawi and Mauritania.
Africa: How Foreign Backing Is Keeping Sudan's Omar Al-Bashir in Power
Day after day Sudanese are taking to the streets to protest against the rule of Omar al-Bashir. The president, who himself seized power in 1989 when he led a coup, is facing the most serious challenge in his three decades in power.
Kenya: Uhuru Kenyatta Succession War Gets Vicious
The gloves are finally off. President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have unleashed their troops on each other as long-simmering tensions burst into a political showdown.
Mauritania: Interview-Europe Must Cut Ties With Mauritania, Anti-Slavery Politician Says
interview Yaounde — Biram Dah Abeid, who has been jailed numerous times for his fight against slavery, says he plans to stand for president Days after his release from jail, one of Mauritania's top anti-slavery campaigners called on Europe to stop doing business with and giving aid to the West Af
DR Congo picks Felix Tshisekedi as president to succeed Joseph Kabila
The Democratic Republic of Congo has a new president, Felix Tshisekedi , the son of a veteran opposition leader. He won with just over 7 million votes or 38.6%, according to the national electoral commission.
Black-Owned Publisher Aims to Take Urban Literature in a New Direction
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Innocent Black Muslim Couple Gets Contacted By the FBI Because of Their Ins
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Foreign backing is keeping Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir in power amid citizen uprising
Day after day Sudanese are taking to the streets to protest against the rule of Omar al-Bashir. The president, who himself seized power in 1989 when he led a coup, is facing the most serious challenge in his three decades in power.
Nigeria: Again, Buhari Blames Gaddafi for Nigeria's Insecurity
Stooges of former Libya leader, Muamar Gaddafi, constitute the terrorists perpetrating evil acts in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
Gabon: What Next for Gabon Following Failed Coup Attempt?
Calm has returned to Libreville and internet has been restored, a day after a coup attempt aimed at overthrowing Gabon's government and President Ali Bongo.
Nigeria is on edge with multiple internal security conflicts as it prepares for tense elections
On Nov. 18, news broke about an attack on an army base in the village of Metele in northeastern Nigeria by suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter group of Boko Haram, the terrorist organization.
South Africa: Racist Farmers Must Have Their Land Expropriated First - Tshwane ANCYL
The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in Tshwane has called for the expropriation of land from racist farmers. The organisation made the call at an anti-racism protest in Bronkhorstspruit on Tuesday, where the small town's CBD was shut down.
An Inspiring New Socio-Economic Movement is Welcoming Black Business Owners
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Cameroon: Gabon Closes Border With Cameroon After Failed Coup Attempt
Gabon has closed border crossings with Cameroon since Monday's attempted coup against President Ali Bongo, halting trade and leaving Gabonese unable to return home. Goods and passengers destined for Gabon are stranded in Cameroon’s border town of Kiossi.
Zimbabwe: Economists - Labour Unrest, Looming Drought to Force $2 Billion Budget Overrun
Zimbabwe's ongoing labour unrest and the possibility of a drought this year could force government to overrun its budget by over $2 billion through borrowing, economists have warned. In separate interviews with NewZimbabwe.
Policy Experts Say Kamala Harris Pivots on Criminal Justice in New Memoir
The senator reckons with her past as an attorney general in “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey.”
5 of the Best Products for Your Natural Black Hair
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Meet the 32-Year Old Who Just Became the Youngest Black Woman Elected to Co
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Charity Run by Black Lawmakers Reportedly Didn't Give Out a Single Scholars
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Florida Felons Register To Vote As New Law Takes Effect, But For How Long?
Scores of felons in the Sunshine State rushed out on Tuesday to take advantage of their restored voting rights by registering to cast a ballot. But the state’s GOP governor tried to rain on their parade. Up to 1.
Civil Rights institute in Alabama rescinds award for Angela Davis
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute's board of directors had chosen Davis to receive its "Fred Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award" at its annual gala next month. But the institute decided to withdraw the award and cancel the annual gala at which Davis, a Birmingham native, would have been honored.
“Crime + Punishment” Exposes Racial Quotas in the NYPD & Retaliation Against Officers Who Speak Out
A group of New York Police Department officers are challenging what they call a racially charged policy of quotas for arrests and summonses.
Zimbabwe: Nothing Political About Our Demands - Teachers
Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) Secretary General Raymond Majongwe has dismissed claims by the government that a third hand is behind their push for better working conditions, charging that there is nothing political about their planned national strike.
Gambia: Truth Commission on Jammeh Opens Hearings
Two years after President Yahya Jammeh left power in Gambia, the country is opening a truth commission that will look into abuses carried out during his more than two decades in power. The commission, known as the TCRR, or Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, opened hearings Monday.
Trial Begins to Halt Trump's Termination of TPS for Haitians
Members of the Haitian community joined immigration advocates outside the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, today (January 7) to mark the start of the first trial of the Trump administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from Haiti.
City of Flint to Stand Trial For Supplying Toxic Water
The Flint Water crisis began with the majority-Black city’s April 2014 decision to switch Flint’s water source from the Great Lakes Water Authority to the Flint River.
South Africa: Why South Africa Will Find It Hard to Break Free From Its Vicious Teaching Cycle
Half of all South African pupils who attended school for five years can't do basic calculations. This is according to a 2015 TIMMS report on mathematics achievements among Grade 5 learners in South Africa.
Second Black Man Dies In Home Of Ed Buck, Powerful Democratic Donor
Ed Buck is wealthy Democratic donor who has contributed to politicians like Hillary Clinton and California Gov. Jerry Brown. However, in July 2017, a 26-year-old Black man named Gemmel Moore died in Buck’s West Hollywood home.
Africa: What DRC's Flawed Election Means for Emerging Democratic Culture in Africa
On December 30, 2018, 46 million citizens cast their votes in a historic election in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There hasn't been a peaceful transition of power in this country since the end of Belgian rule in 1960.
Gabon’s army just attempted a coup by taking over the national radio station
Gabon’s army took over the national radio station today (Jan. 7) and announced the establishment of a “restoration council,” in an apparent attempt to overthrow president Ali Bongo.
Africa: Regional Integration Key to Africa's Economic Growth
INTEGRATION is an important engine for economic growth, sustainable development and improving the living standards of the African people. It is also recognised as one of the key factors underlying the success of the fastest growing economies in Africa.
Young Black Author Has Book Added To Library Of Congress
Georgia-bred author Nicholas Buamah hasn’t even reached the age of 10 yet, but he’s gone further in his literary career than most authors. According to Face2Face Africa, the 7-year-old’s book was accepted into the Library of Congress.
Barbershop Books Empowers Black Boys To Read
A former educator is on a mission to promote literacy among Black youth. Through his program Barbershop Books, entrepreneur Alvin Irby is bringing literature to barbershops across the country to inspire young African American boys to read, the Tuscaloosa News reported.
Congo-Kinshasa: Congo Election Results Delayed As U.S. Deploys Troops to Africa
The results of last weekend's presidential vote in the Central African nation will be delayed by a week, the electoral commission has announced. The Catholic Church has warned of a popular "uprising" over untrue results.
Somalia: Getting It Wrong Again - UN Diplomacy Is Failing Somalia
The world expects the United Nations to be as above suspicion as Caesar's wife.
Uganda: On the Challenge of Building Modern Democratic State
At the beginning of a New Year, many people make "new year resolutions" to focus their attention on specific goals for the next 12 months. Instead, I would like to address the challenge of building a modern democratic state in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa.
Entrepreneur Aims To Open Only Black-Owned Bookstore In Orlando
An entrepreneur is aiming to create a hub for Black literature in Orlando, Florida. Trenessa L. Williams has plans on expanding her online bookstore Kizzy’s Books & More into a brick-and-mortar store which would make it the only Black-owned bookstore in Orlando, Black News reported.
The “democracy of bread” is threatening to unravel Sudan’s three-decade dictatorship
The price of bread is, yet again, at the heart of protests in Sudan. On Dec. 19, demonstrations began in the eastern city of Atbara after the government phased out wheat and fuel subsidies at the suggestion of international lenders.
Africa: Breakthrough in Plant Engineering Could Boost Productivity, Feed Millions More
Rome — A new process that adjusts the way crops turn sunlight into energy could boost their yield by 40 percent, scientists say.
Kenya: Kyle Mccarter Confirmed As New US Ambassador to Kenya
A long and difficult political process ended successfully on Thursday when the US Senate voted to confirm Kyle McCarter as Washington's new envoy to Kenya.
How African governments should negotiate better infrastructure deals with China
“You don’t negotiate with China !” I was quickly told when I started interviewing African public servants about their infrastructure deals with Beijing. There is a widespread view in Africa that you accept whatever terms are offered, for fear that the money might go somewhere else instead.
African Leadership University has raised $30 million to help reinvent graduate education
African Leadership University, the Mauritius-based institution with an ambitious goal to train the continent’s future leaders, has raised $30 million in a Series B round led by Danish retail billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen.
Ilhan Omar becomes the first person to wear the hijab in the US Congress
History was on Ilhan Omar’s mind as she arrived in Washington DC this week.
Congo-Kinshasa: United States Calls Upon the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Electoral Commission To Release Accurate Results
The United States stands by the millions of Congolese voters who went to the polls across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on December 30 to participate in presidential, legislative, and provincial assembly elections.
These are the key African elections to watch in 2019
Tens of millions of Africans will go to the polls this year in the hope of using the ballot to deepen the quality of democratic governance.
A Shimmer of Political Hope From Today's Newly Sworn-In Congress
In many ways, it feels as if electoral politics in the United States have been barreling at full speed into the regressive past since November 2016.
Africa: AU to Reveal Details On Production and Issuance of the African Passport
Moussa Faki Mahamat, AU Commission Chairperson revealed the AU will in February present specific details on the production and issuance of the African passport, which will aid the free movement of Africans across the continent.
Africa: New Year Message - Prime Minister Announces Free Access to Tertiary Education in All Public Institutions
The future of the country rests on its youth and Government has come up with a historical measure which is free access to tertiary education in all public institutions.
South Africa: Presidency Receives Memorandum From Student Activists
Presidency Director-General Dr Cassius Lubisi has received a memorandum from #FeesMustFall activists demanding blanket amnesty for activists who have been convicted of crimes arising from the #FeesMustFall protest in 2017.
Africa: A Very Vegan New Year - Increasing Numbers Sign Up for Meat-Free Resolution
London — A record 170,000 people across 14 countries have signed up for Veganuary, in which people pledge to go vegan to January As rising numbers of people start 2019 vowing to go vegan for environmental and other reasons, chefs, restaurants and supermarkets are jumping on the often-ridiculed ban
Sudan: Are Sudan's Protests Against Bashir Regime Doomed to Fail?
For weeks, the Sudanese people have been protesting against President Omar al-Bashir. Though a diplomatic pariah, his Western back channel support means he holds the cards in a standoff unlikely to deliver major change.
Maxine Waters Plans To Turn Up The Heat On Corporations That Lack Diversity
Corporate America has been put on notice about its lack of diversity by California’s Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters, who is poised to chair a key congressional committee.
South Africa: We Will 'Declare Independence' If Ramaphosa Doesn't Respond to Demands - Khoisan Leader
Khoisan leader Chief Khoisan SA has given President Cyril Ramaphosa until New Year's Day, or else he says the Khoisan people will declare independence from South Africa.
An internet shutdown is the latest frustration hitting voters in DR Congo
An internet shutdown across the Democratic Republic of the Congo is heightening fears of electoral fraud in a presidential election already marred by delays and violence. Internet connectivity in the vast central African state was already disrupted before voters headed to polls on Dec.
Congo-Kinshasa: Internet, SMS Shutdown Threatens Crediblity of Election
Internet, SMS messages and media have been restricted for a second day following a chaotic election. The opposition claims the government is committing election fraud.
Burkina Faso Declares Partial State of Emergency
Burkina Faso has declared a state of emergency in several provinces, after ten gendarmes were killed and three wounded in an ambush in the northwest of the country, near the border with Mali.
Widow Of The Officer Mumia Abu-Jamal Accused Of Killing ‘Absolutely Outraged’ He Received Appeal
After years of fighting, the lawyers for Mumia Abu-Jamal won him another appeal due to new evidence. Now the widow of the officer he was accused of killing spoke out to Fox News and she is “absolutely outraged.”
The Adolescent Girl Holds the Key to Kenya’s Economic Transformation and Prosperity
Siddharth Chatterjee is the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Kenya. The countdown to a New Year has begun. Can 2019 be a year of affirmative action to ensure hope and opportunity for Kenya’s adolescent girl?
Nigeria: What Netflix's Involvement in Nigeria's Massive Film Industry Really Means
Global streaming service Netflix set its eyes a few years ago on Nigeria's film industry, better known as Nollywood. Distribution of Nigerian movies on Netflix started around 2015.
South Africa: Fees Must Fall Activists to Visit Convicted Comrade in Pretoria En Route to Union Buildings
Fees Must Fall activists will visit convicted activist Kanya Cekeshe in prison on Sunday, as part of their march from Isandlwana in KwaZulu-Natal to the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Kenya: People and Times That Shaped Kenya's Landscape in 2018
Kenya entered 2018 on the back of a challenging year, during which an extended election process and a severe drought threatened to impede investment in economic growth. Then as the year slowly begun to age, a lot has taken place.
Zimbabwe: 'Sanctions Won't Stop Re-Engagement'
Zimbabwe will continue pursuing dialogue to normalise relations globally in line with President Mnangagwa's approach of "engagement and re-engagement", Government spokesperson Mr Nick Mangwana said yesterday.
Museum Of Black Civilizations In African Wants Europe To Return Stolen Artworks
A new museum in Africa that displays artworks from across the African Diaspora opened earlier this month, but it’s missing important pieces that Europe plundered during the colonial era.
South Africa: Presidency 'Still Committed' to Addressing Khoisan Concerns Amid Threats to Declare Independence
The Presidency says it is still committed to addressing the concerns of members of the Khoisan community, currently camped outside the Union Buildings, who have threatened to "take (their) country back" unless their demands are met.
Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund Collects Over One Million Usd, Says Office of PM
Addis Ababa — The Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund has collected over 1,000,000 USD after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made the second call for raising the fund recently.
White Referee Fired After Forcing Black Wrestler to Cut Dreadlocks
Alan Maloney, the White referee who forced, Andrew Johnson, a Black high school wrestler to cut his dreadlocks before a match, will no longer work in the Buena Regional School District.
Congo-Kinshasa: DR Congo Elections - Reversing a Dangerous Decision
After postponing long-awaited elections, the Democratic Republic of Congo's electoral commission has announced a second delay in voting in some conflict-affected areas - until after a new president takes office. This decision disenfranchises 1.25 million Congolese and risks major unrest.
A Path to Freedom? Journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal Wins Chance to Reargue Appeal in 1981 Police Killing
AMY GOODMAN: We begin today’s show with an update on a major development that could be the path to freedom for former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal, the award-winning journalist who was convicted of the 1981 murder of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner but has always maintained his innoce
Sudan has blocked Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to counter anti-govt protests
Sudan’s government is looking to the internet as one way to quell swelling protests all over the country. For over a week now, protesters in major cities have demonstrated against rising bread prices besides soaring inflation and shortages in fuel.
Africa’s big political changes in 2018 didn’t quite deliver the hopes expected
Elections should usher in change, but in too many cases they highlight how entrenched political shortcomings are in contemporary African democracies. For the first time since independence in 1980, Zimbabweans held an election without president Robert Mugabe on the ballot paper.
Advocates Claim Another Victory Against Policies That Unfairly Keep Poor People Behind Bars
In an important lawsuit, Denver agreed to stop keeping people behind bars who paid bond but can’t afford additional fees. It’s the latest victory for advocates who call for the end of a system that disproportionately harms people of color. Denver settled a lawsuit on Dec.
White Supremacy, Colonialism and Fatphobia are Inherently Tied to Each Other
Everything that we know about “obesity” is an indictment on white supremacy, and everything about who we listen to regarding it is bullshit.
Africa: Isabel dos Santos and the Economic Empowerment of African Women
At a United Nations debate in New York, Isabel dos Santos, who is currently the richest woman in Africa, spoke of the economic empowerment of African women as a key to transforming society.
Sudan: Protest March in Sudan Capital 'Biggest in Years'
Khartoum — The mass demonstration yesterday organised by the Sudan Professionals Association in Khartoum, has been described as the largest of its kind in many years.
Thousands Of Georgians Had Their Food Stamps Cut By The Trump Administration
Right about now, Georgia could use a governor like Stacey Abrams. Sadly, because of voter suppression, the most vulnerable in Georgia may suffer. The Trump administration has found a way to cut food stamps in the red state and people are suffering.
Dawoud Bey: 40 Years of Photos Affirming the ‘Lives of Ordinary Black People’
As a socially conscious teenager, Dawoud Bey was intrigued by the controversy over the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 1969 exhibition, “Harlem on My Mind: Cultural Capital of Black America, 1900-1968.” The show featured photos, audio and text about daily life in Harlem.
Burundi’s president is moving the capital to another city
Burundi is moving its capital from the shores of Lake Tanganyika and deep into the nation’s central highlands. Authorities announced they would change the political capital from Bujumbura to Gitega, which is located over 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the east.
Africa moved the world closer to its largest free trade area since WTO in 2018
The countdown to establishing one of the world’s largest free trade zones is now closer than ever.
Parents Of Wrestler Who Was Forced To Cut Off His Locs Breaks Their Silence
A video of Andrew Johnson, who wrestles for Buena High in Atlantic County, New Jersey, being forced to cut his locs off has gone viral. Reportedly, he was told by referee Alan Maloney he had to cut off his hair or he could not play against a competing school. The family is now speaking out.
From 1968 to 2018: Angela Davis on Freedom Struggles Then and Now, and the Movements of the Future
AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. I’m Amy Goodman, as we return to my conversation with former Black Panther Angela Davis, professor emerita at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I spoke with her in October in Washington, D.C.
Angela Davis: We Owe It to People Who Came Before Us to Fight to Abolish Prisons
AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. I’m Amy Goodman, as we return to my conversation with Angela Davis. I spoke with her in October at Busboys and Poets, a cultural hub and restaurant in Washington, D.C.
Angela Davis on Running from the FBI, Lessons from Prison and How Aretha Franklin Got Her Free
AMY GOODMAN: Today, we spend the hour with the legendary activist and scholar Angela Davis, professor emerita at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Cyntoia Brown Dealt A Cruel Blow By Tennessee’s Soulless Governor
Yesterday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam granted executive clemency to 11 people and none of them was Cyntoia Brown. In a news release, he said, “I am pleased to grant these acts of clemency.
Namibia's Dependency Syndrome On South Africa
Namibia and South Africa have enjoyed long cordial relations on multifaceted levels during the last two decades, spanning from political partnerships, shared history and certainly various multilateral agreements.
Congo-Kinshasa: Bad Times for Democracy in DR Congo
Pre-election chaos, fears of vote rigging in the Democratic Republic of Congo -- the timing of elections so close to Christmas is no coincidence, says DW's Dirke Köpp.
Black Artists Are Saying ‘Hell No!’ To Shucking And Jiving For The Super Bowl
The powers that be at the Super Bowl, including ex-CBS honcho Les Moonves, tried to ruin Janet Jackson’s career. The NFL has completely disrespected Colin Kaepernick, and consequently, the NFL does not deserve a millisecond of the brilliance of Black artists for its Halftime Show.
Congo-Kinshasa: 'Election is Time of Reckoning for Congolese People'
guest column If the presidential election scheduled for Sunday in the Democratic Republic of the Congo actually takes place, it could lead to the first “peaceful” transfer of power since the United States' Central Intelligence Agency, in cahoots with the United Nations, Belgium and other Wester
The US should focus on soft power and China cooperation in Africa—not rivalry
The Trump administration recently announced a long-awaited new strategy towards Africa.
Eritrea: What Eritrea Can Learn By Looking Southward
Eritrea's financial system, antiquated by any modern standards, speaks to the underdevelopment of the country. But the country would do better not to take the path Ethiopia took as it gradually opens up to the world, writes Ambessaw Assegued (assegued@anfilo.com).
This Is Personal! Hakeem Jeffries Targeted By Ocasio-Cortez
New York Democratic Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s plan to shake up the party in Congress reportedly involves the ouster of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries from his Brooklyn district in the 2020 primaries. For Ocasio-Cortez, targeting Jeffries is both political and personal.
Africa: Women Farmers Join Agricultural Value Chains
If Africa is to feed itself, and if land rights are to be applied universally, the advancement of African women farmers is a fundamental necessity, and the ability of women to access microfinance is key.
Africa: The Three Lessons Africa Can Learn From Asia About Investing in Agriculture
Africa will play a defining role in meeting global hunger targets by mid-century. But maximising food production while protecting natural resources is no easy task. Professor Sir Gordon Conway is a Professor of International Development at Imperial College London, U.K.
Mauritanians Who Sought Refuge in U.S. Face Deportation, Then Jail
Nouakchott — Mo had nothing but a set of jail clothes and the name of a distant cousin when he boarded the deportation flight from the United States to Mauritania, the African country he had fled.
Africa: Should Africa Back World Trade Organisation Reforms?
There is an air of resignation to failure at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva. Long-stuck trade negotiations and a recent eruption of a virus of economic nationalism and protectionism are confronting the organisation with its gravest existential crisis.
Statue Of Liberty Climber Patricia Okoumou Is Convicted For Protesting Trump
Therese Patricia Okoumou got a slow clap around the world when she scaled the Statue of Liberty on July 4. In a now famous photo, she sat with her legs crossed at the base of Lady Liberty while a police rescuer was just a few feet away from her.
Global Voter Suppression Efforts Against Black Americans Are Confirmed In New Report
A new report detailed how the Russians specifically targeted African-American voters in the 2016 election to help President Donald Trump win—adding to domestic efforts to suppress the Black vote.
Will New York’s Recreational Weed Plan Ignore Marijuana Convictions?
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Blacks were disproportionately arrested for marijuana, but he never reportedly mentioned any sort of reparations for those same groups if weed were to be legalized.
Nigeria’s army is accusing international bodies of working with Boko Haram and undermining soldiers
In less than a week, Nigeria’s military has railed against two major international organizations operating in the country. On Friday (Dec.
Racist White Candidates Criminalized Black Opponents To Win Elections
There’s now independent confirmation that Georgia’s Governor-elect Brian Kemp fabricated a tale about a cybercrime while serving as secretary of state to help himself steal the gubernatorial election from Stacey Abrams.
Trump’s focus on Africa might be about China but that could be a good thing
It’s hard not to have seen the early coverage of the United States’ new “Africa Prosper” policy without quickly coming to the conclusion it’s the same or a facet of the White House’s China policy.
Congo-Kinshasa: Campaigning Violently Suppressed
Kinshasa — Government security forces across the Democratic Republic of Congo have forcibly dispersed opposition campaign rallies ahead of the December 23, 2018 national elections.
Africa: Women's Resistance, Inequality Marks 2018
United Nations — Despite the rise in women's resistance, women's rights continue to be sidelined and increasingly face blatant attacks, Amnesty International said.
South Africa: Why South African Community's Win Against Mining Company Matters
The case was brought by the community of rural UMgungundlovu, a small cluster of villages that fall under the Amadiba traditional authority on the largely undeveloped coast of the Eastern Cape Province. The place is also known as Xolobeni.
Africa: Medium-Scale Farms Are On the Rise in Africa. Why This Is Good News
Driven by population growth and growing land scarcity, most African farm households are witnessing the gradual sub-division of their land. Over time farms are getting smaller and smaller.
Nigeria: How Nigerian Govt's Failures Fuel Farmers, Herders Conflict Causing Nearly 4,000 Deaths - Amnesty International
press release The Nigerian authorities' failure to investigate communal clashes and bring perpetrators to justice has fuelled a bloody escalation in the conflict between farmers and herders across the country, resulting in at least 3,641 deaths in the past three years and the displacement of thousan
Poll Shows What Crucial Iowa Voters Think About Likely Black Candidates For President
A new poll of Iowa Democrats released on Saturday revealed how they viewed the chances of two potential African-American candidates to beat President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
Kenya: Tough Balancing Act for Kenya As China and U.S. Battle for Its Heart
The United States has once again renewed its war with China as it seeks to tame its influence in Africa, particularly in Kenya, which has enjoyed a lot of financial support from the Asian nation.
Africa: U.S., China Plus Russia in Africa - Will It Mean a 'Best Deal' for Africans?
The US has a new strategy for Africa to counter China and Russia. Rather than roll their eyes at the new scramble for the continent, Africans should see it as a chance to get the best deal for themselves, analysts say.
Florida Just Made It Even Harder To Prosecute Cops Who Shoot Unarmed Black People
Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law is what has allowed many people to literally get away with murder, as we saw in 2012 when George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teenager whose only crime was having brown skin.
Black District Attorney Removed From E.J. Bradford Investigation Because Of A Facebook Photo
There have been many questions regarding how the investigation into the shooting of Emantic “E.J.” Bradford is being handled. Now there is another incident that is raising concerns: the Black district attorney was removed from the case.
Did a slave make your sneakers? The answer is: probably
We often talk about slavery as if it was a thing of the past–a horror from another era, perpetrated by people who have no resemblance to us. But the truth is that slave labor is still alive and well.
What Cyntoia Brown And Trump Plea Deals Tell Us About Mass Incarceration
Cyntoia Brown is a victim. On Nov. 7th, 2004, she was solicited for sex by a 43-year-old man. Brown, a black girl who had fallen victim to sex trafficking at the hands of a pimp named “Cut Throat,” claims the man became violent and threatened her with his guns.
FBI Confirms Gillum Is Not Corrupt And That DeSantis Lied
The cloud of corruption finally lifted from Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum with the release on Wednesday of an FBI report on its probe of city officials.
People in Africa’s largest economies oppose more migration into their countries
Anti-immigrant rhetoric stemming from far-right movements and politicians in the US and Europe has grown increasingly vocal in recent years. But, as it turns out, a majority of people in some of Africa’s largest economies do not want more immigrants either.
Ayanna Pressley Calls Out Democrats For Not Supporting Black Women Candidates
Massachusetts Representative-elect Ayanna Pressley remained true to the message she shared with NewsOne before winning her primary race for Congress: The Democratic Party is at a crossroads and must support Black female candidates to succeed in the future.
Q&A: The Global Compact that Respects Human Rights During all Stages of Migration
IPS Correspondent Youssef Lakhder spoke to YOUNOUS ARBAOUI, advocacy and coordination officer at the National Migrant Protection Platform (PNPM) Amid the hustle and bustle of the two-day Global Compact for Migration, IPS spoke to Younous Arbaoui, advocacy and coordination officer at the National Mi
Africa: Trump Administration to Deliver Long-Awaited Africa Policy on December 13
Cape Town — President Donald Trump will deliver his administration's long-awaited Africa Policy tomorrow.
Political Commitment Key to Health for All
- One of my proudest accomplishments as the former UN secretary-general was playing a part in the ambitious global agenda for sustainable development (SDGs), including the goal of universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030. Kenya’s leadership was key.
Kenya to Be Named 'Anchor' of Trump's Africa Policy
Kenya will reportedly be named an "anchor" country when the Trump administration unveils its Africa policy on Thursday.
Black Gun Owners On Racial Profiling and Emantic Bradford Jr.
Neither the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) attack ads against Black activists nor its silence on police killings of Black gun owners pushed the Reverend Kenn Blanchard or Ainsley Reynolds to leave the organization.
A China-US battle for influence in Africa will see a rise in infrastructure financing
The infrastructure shortage in most of sub-Saharan Africa needs a major financing solution but given fiscal constraints and other financial limitations it isn’t likely to come from African governments anytime soon.
After Ruining HUD, Ben Carson Sets His Sights On Destroying The New York City Housing Authority
Ben Carson has made it his mission to be one of the worst secretaries of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in American history.
Africa's Debt Crisis - Who Is to Blame?
Mozambique's population knows what a debt crisis feels like. Teachers aren't getting paid; schools can't provide furniture for the students. "In our hospitals the doctors tell the patients: You came here for nothing.
What Trump’s Attorney General Pick William Barr Means For Black America, In His Own Words
UPDATED: 2:29 p.m. EDT — he president’s announcement that he would nominate William Barr to be the next attorney general was a nod to both the past and future.
What’s the best way to define Africa’s middle class?
The “Africa Rising” narrative has been hinged on the continent’s middle class—but the methods used to defined the size of that population has been inconsistent to say the least.
Africa: Opinion - How George H.W. Bush's Failed Somalia Intervention Shaped US-Africa Ties
As the US bids farewell to former US President George H.W. Bush, in Africa he is remembered most for his failed bid to stabilize Somalia, write DW's Isaac Mugabi.
With Brian Kemp Gone, Georgia Holds Runoff Elections Without Widespread Voter Suppression
The voter suppression outcries heard during Stacey Abram’s historic run to become the nation’s first Black woman governor all but disappeared in Georgia’s runoff election—now that Brian Kemp is no longer in charge of the state’s voting process.
Marc Lamont Hill Apologizes For Comments About Israel-Palestine Conflict
Activist and author Marc Lamont Hill has been in a media firestorm after days of backlash due to his comments about the Israel-Palestine conflict. CNN fired him and the chairman of Temple University’s board, Patrick O’Connor, called his comments hate speech. Now, Hill is issuing an apology.
With a dozen elections in 2019, African democracy will face some of its biggest tests
More than a dozen national elections will be held across Africa next year. All 55 members of the African Union (AU) are obligated to hold regular and ostensibly democratic elections. They must also invite teams of AU election observers to publicly monitor, assess and report the results.
Brenda Snipes Refuses To Go Away Quietly After Florida’s Governor Threatens Her Pension
Brenda Snipes, the Broward County, Florida supervisor of elections, pushed back against GOP Gov. Rick Scott’s suspension that threatens her pension. Snipes rescinded her resignation letter on Saturday, which was to take effect on Jan. 4.
Africa: Taking Africa's Democratic Temperature As a Dozen Countries Prepare for Polls
More than a dozen national elections will be held across Africa next year. All 55 members of the African Union (AU) are obligated to hold regular and ostensibly democratic elections. They must also invite teams of AU election observers to publicly monitor, assess and report the results.
Viola Davis Stars As Shirley Chisholm in New Movie
Deadline reported yesterday (November 29) that Viola Davis will produce and star in “The Fighting Shirley Chisholm.
The return of Benin’s looted bronzes is about restoring a century’s worth of heritage—and pride
More than a century after they were looted, the decades-old campaign for European museums to return African art—particularly Benin bronzes—is finally looking like a real possibility.
Sen. Tim Scott Suddenly Realizes He’s Black And Will Oppose A Racist Judge
The U.S. Senate’s only Black Republican, Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, finally woke up to the fact that supporting President Trump’s racist judicial nominee is a bad idea.
VIDEO: Seeking Ways to Include Women in the Blue Economy
- Women make up about half of the over 120 million people whose livelihood depend on the blue economy. But women play only a marginal role in the blue economy with most of them earning subsistence income.
Mississippi Is As American As Any Other State
I‘ve heard some iteration of “you from Mississippi? Word? Damn, that sounds rough” every few days since I moved from the state to go to college.
Malawi: Chilima Says Malawi Needs Economic Liberation - Ends North Tour With Bumper Crowds
State Vice-President Saulos Chilima says Malawi needs urgent economic liberation, bemoaning the poor state of water transport system and tourism along the Lake Malawi.
Mike Espy Loses To A Raging Racist As Mississippi Votes For White Supremacy Over Progress
Democrat Mike Espy lost the Mississippi Senate runoff election to Cindy Hyde-Smith Tuesday night. But in reality, racism won as the state’s citizens cast ballots for a woman who has made no secret of her affinity for white supremacy.
Puerto Rican Homeowners Suffer As FEMA Pays Exorbitant Prices for Home Repairs
More than 100,000 homeowners in Puerto Rico may be victims of a widespread corruption scheme involving a government-run program to fix their properties, according to an investigative report from The New York Times.
Africa: Focus On Africa - Kingsley Moghalu's Presidential Bid to End 'Oil Curse'
The rising star of Nigerian politics, Kingsley Moghalu, vows to end the "oil curse" with his 2019 presidential bid while Sierra Leone's new Unity Party engages in a daring battle for women's rights.
Rev. Barber: MS Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith Jokes About Hangings, But Her Policies Will Strangle the Poor
AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now!, democracynow.org, The War and Peace Report. I’m Amy Goodman. President Trump is heading to Mississippi today, one day before voters head to the polls for Mississippi’s hotly contested runoff Senate election.
Africa: Is Africa's Democracy Dying?
With presidents changing constitutions to stay in power and political opponents ending up behind bars, there's a popular belief that democracy in Africa is dying. But experts say there's actually a lot of good news. From an outsider's perspective, the heydays of African democracy are long gone.
Eritrea: Now the Onus Is On Eritrea to Reform
This month's United Nations Security Council decision to lift sanctions on Eritrea is the clearest signal yet of the international community's confidence in regional peacemaking efforts in the conflict-prone Horn of Africa.
Barry Jenkins to Hollywood: Adapt More Black Literature
Filmmaker Barry Jenkins’ upcoming adaptation of James Baldwin’s 1974 novel, “If Beale Street Could Talk,” is the first English-language big screen version of the late author’s work.
The distraction of fake news and WhatsApp for the African media business
The last decade has been a trying time in journalism. Media organizations large and small around the world have faced the existential threat of a shifting business model as traditional models were upended by digital distribution. African media houses face many of the same challenges.
Africa: 'The African Free Trade Area Could Be a Reality by March Next Year'
The agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential of boosting intra-African trade and supporting Africa's economic development. Yet some are still sceptical about its implementation.
Europe needs to do more than just return Africa’s looted art treasures
European museums are under mounting pressure to return the irreplaceable artefacts plundered during colonial times. As an archaeologist who works in Africa, this debate has a very real impact on my research.
Africa: Russians Look for Media Presence in Africa
Acknowledging undoubtedly that Africa has become a new world center for global development, Russian legislators at the State Duma (the lower chamber) have advocated for a greater media representation to facilitate collecting important information to support business and economic cooperation with Afr
How to understand DR Congo’s complex, and very likely flawed, election
It’s no easy task to hold an election in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Just ask the country’s electoral commission, which started 2017 by publicly announcing that the general election, planned for December 2018 might actually only be held as late as April 2019.
One of the first two Muslim women in US Congress is already battling a fake news campaign
Since her historic win on Nov.
Africans are being exposed to “fake news” at a higher rate than Americans
Concerns about “fake news” have dominated discussions about the relationship between the media and politics in the developed world in recent years.
What do African strongmen do after they get kicked out of office?
A mix of weak institutions, power-hungry leaders, elites kept happy through government patronage and a stifled press have helped several leaders across the continent stay in power much longer than they were supposed to. But the last few years have been particularly tough for some African strongman.
France will have to change its laws to return its looted African art
France is set to make good on president Emmanuel Macron’s promise to return Africa’s stolen art and artifacts. This week, a report will be released that outlines exactly why and how thousands of priceless objects should be returned to Africa. An early look at the report, due on Friday (Nov.
#BlackoutBlackFriday Returns to Uplift Economic Resistance and Black Art
Blackout for Human Rights launched #BlackoutBlackFriday five years ago to replace Black Friday’s unapologetic consumerism with a celebration of Black art and a boycott of retailers. The campaign returns this Friday (November 23).
Federal Judge Overturns Mississippi Law That Banned Abortion After 15 Weeks
The Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the state’s only abortion clinic, filed a complaint with the United States District Court for Mississippi’s Southern District within an hour of the governor signing the bill.
Shopping While Black: Boycotts Pop Up Ahead Of Holiday Shopping Season
As the holiday shopping season gets underway this weekend, several calls for boycotts have been called for against retailers accused of various racially discriminatory practices. See Also: This Too?! Police Called On Black Family For Trying On Clothes In A Store
With Ghana's support, Israel wins new friend in Africa
On a recent visit to Israel, Ghana's foreign minister confirmed that her government would be assisting Israel to gain observer status at the African Union (AU). Accra becomes the latest African nation to publicly back Israel for a spot at the continental body.
Never Forget: When Black Folks Armed Themselves The NRA And Republicans Suddenly Supported Gun Control
Every week there is a new shooting, from Mercy Hospital in Chicago to Thousands Oaks, California to a Jewish synagogue. Many people are asking, what will it take to get sensible gun control? For that answer, you can look to the past — arming Black people.
New Report: Black Voters Once Again Saved The Country In The Midterm Elections
While Stacey Abrams and Andrew Gillum may have lost their races for governor due to voter suppression and blatant racism, the midterm elections was still a success for Democrats.
Stacey Abrams Is Not Done With Brian Kemp And His Jim Crow Tactics
Stacey Abrams may have acknowledged that Brian Kemp won the election for governor of Georgia, but she is not giving up on fighting for every vote to be counted. Several lawsuits have been filed against Kemp, and now Abrams is reportedly filing another one.
Trump Administration's Contraception Proposal Hijacks Program for Women in Poverty
The government wants women whose employers object to paying for contraception on religious grounds to rely on a program aimed at keeping lower-incoming earning women healthy.
Africa's 'First Peoples' Are Gaining Ground
analysis The past 20 years have seen a complete transformation of the political and legal landscape for Africa's indigenous people The term "indigenous people", and the identification of particular groups in these terms, evokes strong emotions, outright hostility even, among many Africans, or at le
Zimbabwe: New Law Okays Seizure of Ill-Gotten Wealth
President Mnangagwa on Friday last week gazetted the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Amendment of the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act and Exchange Control Act) Regulations, 2018 which empowers Government to seize assets of people who fail to disclose the source their wealth.
Tanzania: Finland Says Won't Withhold Its Funds Over Homophobia
Dar es Salaam — Finland, a European Union member, will not withhold aid to Tanzania over recent homophobic comments by some politicians, Finish media reported yesterday.
Governor Calls For County Commissioner’s Resignation Days After Outcry Over ‘Master Race’ Remark
Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer on Saturday jumped on the bandwagon of voices calling for the removal of a white county commissioner who told a Black woman on Tuesday that he’s part of the “master race.
GOP Adviser Rips Into Brian Kemp For Stealing The Georgia Election: ‘He Cheated & Undermined Democracy’
Stacey Abrams losing the race Georgia race for governor doesn’t just have Democrats outraged, even Republicans are speaking out against Brian Kemp‘s clear corruption. Jason Weaver is a Texas native who was a political strategist for former president George H.W.
Andrew Gillum Lost Florida Election Because Of Racism, Democrats Say
The role of racism factored heavily in the Florida gubernatorial election, but not exactly how you might think it did, supporters of Andrew Gillum recently told the Tampa Bay Times.
Newly Elected DA Criticizes Faith Johnson’s Handling Of The Botham Jean Case
Faith Johnson, a Black, Republican woman who lost her reelection bid for Dallas district attorney by a landslide, has been slammed for her handling of the Botham Shem Jean case. Now the newly elected DA , retired judge and Black Democrat John Creuzot, is reflecting on her work on the case.
Wake-Up Call To Democrats: ‘Black Women Get Things Done’
A progressive organization wants to send a message to the Democratic Party and other liberal groups in the wake of last week’s midterm election victories: Place Black women in leadership positions.
South Africa: 10 Questions About Expropriation Without Compensation Answered
On Thursday the Joint Constitutional Review Committee adopted a recommendation that the Constitution should be amended to allow for expropriation without compensation. News24 tries to answer some questions which might arise from this development.
Tanzania: World Bank, Denmark Act Against Tanzania Over Discrimination of Girls and Gays
Discrimination of gays, young mothers and journalists is on the rise in Tanzania. Suspending the flow of money from abroad is one reaction but will this persuade President Magufuli to change his course?
Black Politicians Are Trying To Save The Democratic Party From Itself
While Democrats made some noteworthy strides in last week’s midterm elections, the consensus seemed to be that the party has been going down the wrong path of politics as of late.
Report: Public Housing Is A Complete Disaster Under The Deplorable Ben Carson
Detroit has another reason to remove Ben Carson‘s name from one of its public schools. A new report found that public housing’s safety and health under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HJUD) have dangerously declined under the deplorable leadership of Carson.
If consumers boycott palm oil products it could lead to more deforestation
Palm oil can be found in food and cosmetics everywhere: in fact, half of the world’s population uses palm oil in food.
Kenya Looks to Lead the Way in Developing the Blue Economy’s Potential
Ambassador Macharia Kamau is Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Kenya, also the coordinating Ministry of the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, 2018.
Cameroon: Renewed Anglophone Fighting Displaces Hundreds of Civilians
Cameroon’s restive English-speaking regions are emptying out after renewed military raids on separatist strongholds left at least 30 people dead in two days.
Africa: DR Congo's Opposition Unites(!)... for Like a Minute
Congo's opposition had a unified presidential candidate... for a few hours. After three days of negotiations in Geneva, an opposition coalition announced this week it had selected Martin Fayulu as their single candidate.
Africa: Diamonds Are Not Necessarily Forever
The participants in the Kimberley Process, including 19 African governments, are meeting this week in Brussels to review the successes and failures of its first 15 years of operation and, many hope, adapt it to the demands of a changing environment.
Africa Doesn't Need Lessons in Democracy
If what's happening in Florida's mid-term elections had happened in Africa, the condemnation would have been swift. It's time to reverse this, says Chrispin Mwakideu.
State Sen. Nikema Williams Says She Was ‘Singled Out’ For Arrest During Georgia Protest To Count Every Vote
Stacey Abrams is advocating for voter justice and thankfully she has people on her side like State Sen. Nikema Williams. Yesterday, Williams was arrested at the State Capitol for standing with constituents while asking for every vote to be counted.
Federal Judge Rules Georgia Election Cannot Be Certified Until Provisional Ballots Are Counted
Stacey Abrams had a moment of voter justice. A federal judge ruled the Georgia governor race will not be officially certified until every provisional vote is counted.
Black Man Paralyzed In Police Shooting Enters Political Arena
Less than a week after the 2018 midterm elections, a Black man who was paralyzed in a 2012 police shooting wants to campaign for office in 2019.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott Files Lawsuit To Block Votes From Being Counted
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is so shook by the possibility of every vote being counted in Florida he filed lawsuits on Sunday “calling for voting machines to be impounded in two Democratic-leaning counties, after accusing his opponents of voter fraud,” according to Vice.com.
Stacey Abrams Campaign Files Federal Lawsuit For Every Vote To Be Counted
Stacey Abrams is still fighting for every vote in Georgia to be counted, while Brian Kemp‘s campaign is claiming he won the governor race. However, the Associated Press, NBC and CNN did not call the race. Therefore, Abrams filed a new lawsuit on Sunday.
Black Republican DA Who Was Voted Out Wants To Stay On The Botham Jean Case
District Attorney Faith Johnson, who is a Black, Republican woman, has been widely criticized for her handling of the Botham Shem Jean case. Even though she was voted out by a landslide, losing to retired judge John Creuzot, she is bizarrely asking to stay on the Jean case.
Africa: What Is the US Up to in Africa?
DW's Asumpta Lattus spoke to Brian T. Neubert, the director of the US State Department's Johannesburg-based Africa Regional Media Hub about the state of US-Africa relations. DW: Do you have a hard time selling US policy on Africa?
Problems With Broward County Ballots Could Bode Well For Gillum
The problematic design of Broward County’s ballots could have given prominence to the Florida gubernatorial race in which Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum could become the state’s first Black governor.
Newly Elected Dallas DA Says The ‘Appropriate Charge’ For Amber Guyger Is Murder
On September 6, 30-year-old police officer Amber Guyger killed 26-year-old Botham Shem Jean in his own home. She was charged with manslaughter and there has been outrage over how District Attorney Faith Johnson, who is a Black, Republican woman, handled the case.
Black America ‘Did The Thing’ With High Voter Turnout On Election Day
Sprinkled among the millions of people in Georgia who were forced to wait as long as four hours just to cast their ballots were devoted African-American voters, many of whom couldn’t afford to take off that much time from work.
Bring It Home! Florida Governor’s Race Reportedly Headed For A Recount
Andrew Gillum at first appeared to have lost Florida’s race for governor to Ron DeSantis. But now, for the first time ever in a Florida governor race, there will be a recount. “Mr. DeSantis’s victory margin has since shrunk to 0.
Colorado Votes To Abolish Slavery, 2 Years After Similar Amendment Failed
Colorado voters have approved an amendment to their state's constitution that completely abolishes slavery — by stripping out language that still exists in the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which bans slavery and servitude "except as a punishment."
Five Georgia Voters File Emergency Lawsuit Against Brian Kemp
Stacey Abrams is fighting for votes in Georgia while the campaign for Brian Kemp is claiming he is the winner. Reportedly, there are several counties whose votes have not been counted in Georgia.
It’s Official! The Mother Of The Late Jordan Davis, Lucy McBath, Headed To Congress
While Stacey Abrams is fighting for votes in Georgia, there is some good news in The Peach State. Although Lucia “Lucy” McBath declared victory over incumbent Republican Rep. Karen Handel on Wednesday, Handel refused to concede. However, it is now official that McBath is the victor.
This Eritrean-American is now Colorado’s first black Congressman
The story of Joe Neguse’s family begins in war-torn Eritrea. On Tuesday night, it came of age in the US state of Colorado. The 34-year-old Democrat made history in the Nov. 6 midterm elections by becoming the first black congressman to be elected in the western state of Colorado.
Voter Suppression: Did it Work?
Reports of widespread voter suppression and corruption were rampant during this year’s midterm elections, and it looks like Republicans were somewhat rewarded for their misdeeds.
Victory! 19 Black Women Made History In Texas
While Democrats did not get the blue wave they hoped for during yesterday’s midterm elections, there were some major wins such as regaining control of the House of Representatives.
An Andrew Gillum Recount Could Be In The Works
Andrew Gillum’s historic race for Florida governor may not be over. After conceding defeat on Tuesday night, there’s news of a possible recount.
“Love Prevails”: Floridians Celebrate Massive Restoration of Voting Rights to People with Felonies
At least 1.4 million people have regained the right to vote in Florida, following the passage of Amendment 4, a statewide initiative to re-enfranchise people with felony convictions who have completed their sentences, excluding people convicted of murder or sex offenses.
Slavery can no longer be used as punishment for a crime in Colorado after Amendment A passes
Voters have decided to remove the slavery exception from the Colorado Constitution with the passage of Amendment A. That means slavery and involuntary servitude can no longer be used as possible punishments for crimes in the state. The approval comes two years after a similar measure failed.
Florida’s Amendment 4 Would Restore Voting Rights to 1.4 Million People with Nonviolent Felonies
AMY GOODMAN: We finally turn to Florida, where voters are preparing to vote on Amendment 4, a measure that would restore voting rights to 1.4 million people with nonviolent felonies who have completed their sentences or never served time in jail.
Women of Color Hope to Make History in 2018 Election with Wins in Congress and Governor’s Races
A historic number of women of color are running for public office in today’s election. At least 255 women are on the ballot as congressional candidates, including a record number of women of color.
36 Million in U.S. Cast Early Votes, Shattering Records for Young People & People of Color
Millions of voters head to the polls today for a midterm election that’s widely seen as a referendum on Donald Trump’s presidency, with both houses of Congress and 36 governor’s races in the balance.
Ayanna Pressley Becomes First Black Woman To Represent Massachusetts In Congress
Ayanna Pressley on Tuesday night officially became the first Black women to represent Massachusetts in Congress after officials confirmed her inevitable victory.
Trump’s existential threat has fueled the rise of Minnesota’s Somali political class
Mohamud Noor understands why every single vote matters—and more so now than ever. Among the first Somali-Americans to ever compete for office in Minnesota in 2010, Noor ran for seats on the Minneapolis school board, city council, and state house—and lost all, sometimes very narrowly.
Coincidence? Black People In Georgia Typically Get The Oldest Voting Machines, Increasing Chances Of Error
An often overlooked way that suppression of Black votes occurs has been through the use of ancient, error-prone paperless voting machines. Many of these ATM-style pieces of aging equipment have been around for nearly two decades and were riddled with known problems.
Africa: Women and Children the Big Losers When Governance is Measured
The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has released 2018's Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG). It is the foundation's 12th annual edition since it was launched in 2007. This index shows that governance in Africa, on average, is slowly improving.
Republicans Reportedly Gave A Black Woman $150,000 After She Faked Being A Trump Supporter
We all know many Trump supporters like Candace Owens and Omarosa Managult Newman are or were just in it for the money. It’s clear they were insincere con artists so one young woman decided to follow their lead and get some coins in her pocket.
Africa: Political Unrest Drives Moroccans to Join Africa Exodus
Moroccans are increasingly joining other Africans in the dangerous sea crossing to Spain, driven by what they see as deteriorating social conditions and a crackdown on political dissent.
Kenya: Ruto Ambitions Face Hurdle As Bensouda Comes Calling, Again
Deputy President William Ruto's State House ambitions may face more hurdles should the ghosts of the 2007/8 post-election violence return to haunt him.
Brian Kemp’s Latest Move Shows His ‘Desperation,’ Stacey Abrams Says
Georgia’s Democratic nominee for governor Stacey Abrams dismissed her GOP rival Brian Kemp’s latest maneuver as a “desperate” attempt to distract voters.
Stacey Abrams’ Unapologetically Black Journey To The Doorstep Of History
Stacey Abrams’ unlikely journey toward the pinnacle of Georgia politics involved foresight and political daring. And all along the way, she remained unapologetically Black.
Mayor Andrew Gillum Temporarily Suspends Campaign After Shooting In Tallahassee
Andrew Gillum is set to make history as the first Black man to be governor of Florida on Nov. 6. However, due to a tragedy in Tallahassee, where he is mayor, he is temporarily suspending campaign activity, according to the New York Daily News.
US midterms: How widespread is voter suppression?
With less than a week until midterm elections, civil rights groups and voting advocacy organisations in several US states have sounded the alarm on what they call voter suppression.
WATCH: New Doc Shows How Gerrymandering Suppresses Black Votes in North Carolina
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Courts’ Crucial Rulings Against Voter Suppression Come Just Ahead Of The Midterm Elections
Voting rights advocates were dealt several huge victories on Friday when courts rejected blatant attempts at suppressing mostly people of color from being able to cast ballots on Election Day.
Security Guard’s Reason For Killing HBCU Student Leaves More Questions Than Answers
Details were coming out about the security guard who fatally shot North Carolina Central University student DeAndre Ballard. Sadly, it’s the same narrative we have heard from countless other shootings — the guard said he feared for his life.
The Power Of The Black Vote And How To Make Each One Count
Black folks have legitimate concerns about whether their votes will count—given the seemingly nonstop last-ditch electoral shenanigans ahead of Election Day.
Trump’s Racist Ad Aims For The Willie Horton Effect, Explained
History was repeating itself with the release of President Donald Trump’s new dog-whistling political ad days before the crucial Midterm elections. It was reminiscent of the Republicans’ infamous Willie Horton spot that exploited white fear of Black men ahead of the 1988 presidential election.
Vote Suppressor Brian Kemp Runs Away From Second Debate Against Stacey Abrams
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp backed out of the eagerly anticipated second debate against Stacey Abrams, the latest move that shows his fear of losing the Georgia gubernatorial race.
Letter from the James and Grace Lee Boggs Center
We welcome you to Detroit at a moment of great dangers and great possibilities.
The global systems which enable major scale corruption in Africa can’t be fixed in Africa
Daniela Lepiz looks frustrated. She’s in Copenhagen, at the International Anti Corruption Conference, on a panel titled “What Will It Take to Win The Fight Against Corruption in Africa?”
Your Halloween Candy’s Hidden Ingredient: Child Slave Labor
If you’re buying last-minute Halloween candy, you might want to know about a recent ruling by the US Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit in a long-running lawsuit against Nestlé and agribusiness giant Cargill that alleges the companies aided and abetted child slavery on cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast.
Is the United Nations in Kenya Fit For Purpose?
- The United Nations globally is witnessing some of the most ambitious reforms led by the UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres. Most relevant to us in Kenya is the entire reform of the development system and how the UN will adapt to a fast-changing development environment.
Africa: Bolsonaro's Victory Is Likely to See Brazil Scale Down Africa Interests
His first son is a senator for the state of Rio do Janeiro. His second son a municipal councillor in the city of Rio, and his third is a federal deputy for the state of São Paulo. And he himself has served seven terms as deputy and as member of several political parties.
HBCU President Testifies In Harvard University’s Affirmative Action Case
Prairie View A&M University President Ruth Simmons took the stand Tuesday on behalf of Harvard University in a trial over admissions policies that could impact college affirmative action programs across the nation.
Gillum Claps Back At Trump With HBCU Pride
Florida’s Democratic nominee for governor Andrew Gillum returned fire at President Donald Trump one day after the divider in chief insulted Gillum’s HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) education in a tweet on Monday.
Expect The GOP To Go Into Overdrive Suppressing The Black Vote Ahead Of Election Day
Republicans, increasingly worried about losing control of Congress, could rev up their ongoing voter suppression efforts in the final days before the 2018 midterm elections.
How A Healing Retreat for Feminist Activists Can Advance Movement Building
Earlier this year, a video went viral on Ghanaian Twitter of six teen boys raping a young girl. Despite her resistance, these boys held her down and took turns. What haunted me most was their laughter. Being a feminist activist means confronting this kind of raw ugliness on a daily basis.
Brazil’s New Racist President Has Anti-Black Agenda
Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who was once on trial for racism, won Brazil’s presidency on Sunday, clearing the way for him to pursue his unabashedly racist agenda. Bolsonaro won 55.2 percent of the vote over his progressive opponent Fernando Haddad.
Women’s Climate Leadership More Vital Than Ever In Light Of Climate Change Report
Osprey Orielle Lake is the founder and executive director of the Women's Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN) International and co-chair of International Advocacy for the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature.
Africa: Women's Voices Must Be Heard, Their Needs Prioritized - Sahle-Work Zewde
Addis Ababa — We are honored to join you today in celebrating the UN Security Council’s landmark resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, along with efforts undertaken since the resolution was adopted eighteen years ago.
Mail Bomber Targeted Andrew Gillum In Governor Race Against Opponent Who Blew Racist Dog Whistle
The racist dog whistle that was blown by the GOP’s nominee for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, against his opponent Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, apparently caught the attention of the alleged mail bomber Cesar Sayoc.
Sudan: West Darfur Women Protest 'Men-Only Cabinet' in the State
El Geneina — The lack of representation of women in the new government of West Darfur has led to large-scale protests by women leaders in the state. On Tuesday, the Governor of West Darfur, Hussein Yasin, announced his new cabinet, consisting of five ministries, all headed by men.
Rihanna And Colin Kaepernick To Reportedly Team Up For Social Justice Project
Several celebrities have shown their solidarity with football player Colin Kaepernick as he fights to spread awareness about social injustice.
How the US will transform its investment role in Africa with a new $60 billion agency
Business between the US and Africa just took a step forward. Easy to miss amidst the partisan din of the approaching election, the US Senate passed the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development (BUILD) Act, and it was signed into law Oct. 5.
Deputy Who Killed Unarmed Black Man: ‘It Has Been A Very Disruptive Thing In My Life’
In 2015, 43-year-old Eric Harris, who was unarmed, was fatally shot by Tulsa County Reserve Deputy Robert Bates in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Africa: EU Turns Attention to Morocco in Bid to Slow African Migrant Flow
As migration patterns from Africa into Europe shift westward, European leaders are turning their attention, and their money, toward efforts to stem the fast-growing human traffic between Morocco and Spain.
Cameroon: Homes, Villages Burned as Cameroon Targets Separatists
Some of the thousands of people who fled the volatile English-speaking regions of Cameroon before the Oct. 7 presidential election have returned nome to find that their houses and villages have been burned to the ground.
Jair Bolsonaro’s victory is likely to see Brazil slash its many Africa interests
His first son is a senator for the state of Rio do Janeiro. His second son a municipal councillor in the city of Rio, and his third is a federal deputy for the state of São Paulo. And he himself has served seven terms as deputy and as member of several political parties.
What Every Black Voter Should Know If They Experience Suppression At The Polls
Incidents of voter suppression—much of it targeting African-Americans—have dogged the registration period and now early voting sessions in several states across the nation. Georgia has emerged, arguably, as the epicenter of the Republicans’ effort to suppress the Black vote in 2018.
White Supremacist Who Targeted And Killed 2 Black People In Cold Blood Is Arrested Peacefully
UPDATED: 7:49 p.m. EDT — It would appear that Kentucky law enforcement was going out of its way to protect a white man accused of shooting two Black people to death on Wednesday.
Detroit City Official Wants To Force Relocation By Shutting Off People's Water
Detroit has a population of about 670,000 people, down from 2 million in the 1950s. The majority-Black city is 139-square miles, of which 24 square-miles are vacant land. Now, the cash-strapped city must contend with how—or if—to provide services to the entire municipality.
Africa: 'We Were Never Meant to Struggle' - Samia Nkrumah Speaks on Why Africa Needs to Unite
interview Rhodes, Greece — In an exclusive interview, Crystal Orderson, for allAfrica, sat down with Samia Nkrumah - Ghanaian activist and daughter of the country's first president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah - to talk about the new scramble for Africa, and how many countries are again knocking on the door
African Union Makes Moves to Neutralise Africa’s Main Human Rights Body
David Kode is the Advocacy and Campaigns lead with global civil society alliance, CIVICUS. - For many African activists based on the continent, getting to a major human rights summit just underway in The Gambia is likely to have been a challenging exercise.
Liberia: Pres. Weah Declares Free Tuition At UL, Tubman U.
Students of the University of Liberia (UL) and the Tubman University (TU) in Maryland County have all reasons to smile as President George Weah yesterday declared both public universities in the country tuition-free.
Angola's Path to Justice - Prosecuting the Guilty and Recovering the Stolen Billions
The dramatic recent arrests of high-ranking figures linked to former Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos has gripped the public. Yet little or nothing has been revealed about the struggle to recover the billions of dollars stolen from the public purse during Dos Santos's corrupt regime.
How the apartheid regime burnt books in their tens of thousands
On the advice of the State Librarian one fine day in the 1970s, a truck transported thousands of books and magazines from Pretoria’s Central Police Station to a dark hall at the Iscor state steel company, just outside the South African capital.
Ethiopia: News Alert - Ambassador Sahlework Zewde to Become Ethiopia's President
Addis Abeba — Sources close to the government confirmed to Addis Standard late this afternoon news that Ambassador Sahlework Zewde, a prominent Ethiopian diplomat with years of experience with the UN, will be replacing the outgoing president, Dr.
President Mulatu Teshome Resigns
Ethiopia's President, Mulatu Teshome yesterday filed resignation request to the Ethiopian Parliament, State news agency ENA reported.
Nigeria: UN Begins Return to Nigerian Headquarters Eight Years After Bombing
The UN family in Nigeria says it has begun partial movement to the UN House, Abuja, eight years after the August 26, 2011 bombing by the Boko Haram insurgents. UN Resident Coordinator, Edward Kallon, disclosed this at the celebration of the 73rd UN Day on Wednesday in Abuja.
MacArthur Foundation Commits $148 Million to Criminal Justice Reform
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is ramping up its commitment to criminal justice reform.
Man Gets Light Sentence For Hate Crime After Threatening Black Neighbors With Noose
A man indicted for threatening his Black neighbors with a noose in Texas will spend time in prison, a judge said Wednesday. However, he received a lenient sentence for the federal hate crime. Glenn Eugene Halfin, 64, of Grapevine, will serve a one-year sentence.
Barbados Looks Beyond its Traditional Sugar and Banana Industries into the Deep Blue
- Allan Bradshaw grew up close to the beach and always knew he wanted to become a fisherman. Now 43 years old, he has been living his childhood dream for 25 years.
China’s search for sand is destroying Mozambique’s pristine beaches
As a commodity, sand has historically been ignored underfoot, but as the world realized that it was not in fact an infinite resource the same rush that has characterized unethical mining practices is now threatening the world’s most treasured sand deposits: pristine beaches.
Stacey Abrams Stands By Burning the Racist, Segregationist Georgia State Flag in 1992
During Tuesday’s debate, Georgia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams defended her actions in 1992 when she helped burn the Georgia state flag, which at the time contained a prominent Confederate battle flag. In a victory for civil rights advocates, the flag was later changed.
Greg Palast Sues Georgia’s Brian Kemp for Purging 340,000 from Voter Rolls Ahead of Election
A new investigation has found Georgia secretary of state and Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp has overseen the removal of more than 340,000 current Georgia residents from voting rolls.
Stacey Abrams Slams Brian Kemp on Suppressing Vote as He Worries Too Many Georgians Will Vote
With the midterm elections less than two weeks away, we look at the governor’s race in Georgia, where Democrat Stacey Abrams is attempting to become the first black woman governor in the country.
Somalia's Zero-Sum Politics Will See No Winners
The announcement by Somalia's Federal Member States in September that they've suspended cooperation with the Federal Government of Somalia has thrown the country into internal crisis.
Lesotho: Time to Overhaul Lesotho's Colonial-Era Laws
This is a story that begins with a divorce: in 1991 the marriage of Sello Matete and his first wife, 'Malebina Matete, ended. Some 20 years later Matete remarried, this time to Matebello Matete.
Liberia: MTM Situation - 'A Tip of the Iceberg'
Amid the public outburst of anger and indignation over the rape and abuse of over a dozen girls by a staff of the More Than Me (MTM) Academy, along with attempts by its founder, Katie Meyler, to cover-up evidence and protect the culprit, Macintosh Johnson (now deceased), the chair of the SHEROES In
Rwanda: Pan-African MPs Pledge to Support Afcfta Ratification
Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) have backed President Paul Kagame's call for the August House to throw their weight behind the speedy ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Rich in Agriculture, Madagascar Suffers from Extreme Malnutrition
Hanitranirina Rarison is an agronomist specializing in food sciences in Fanilon’I Madagasikara. She is also a Girl Guide and actively involved in its nutrition advocacy program.
Uganda: Chaos Rocks Kyambogo as Students Protest Fees Increment
Kampala — Tear gas and rubber bullets yesterday rocked Kyambogo University as students protested the increment of tuition fees by the university management.
'Decolonizing Wealth' Addresses Philanthropy's White Supremacy Problem, Offers Solutions
In the United States, seven of the richest grant-making foundations own roughly over $100 billion in assets.
Racial Equity Strategies for Workforce Development
Background: In 2017 Race Forward produced a racial equity readiness assessment tool for workforce development agencies to clarify how racial bias and inequity is operating within their institutions and provide concrete steps for proactive measures to counter those policies and practices.
Folks Are Pushing Back Against Increasing GOP Early Voting Suppression Efforts
With early voting underway in several states, voters have been fighting against a growing list of alleged voter suppression efforts by Republicans.
Madagascar: Children Amongst Thousands Held in Life-Threatening Prison Conditions - New Report
People - including children - who have not been found guilty of any crime are dying in Madagascar's prisons due to appalling conditions, Amnesty International said today, as it released a report highlighting how the Malagasy authorities' excessive use of pre-trial detention is harming the poorest p
Liberia: The Quest for War Crimes Court - Who Are the International Players?
Monrovia — The call for a Liberian war and economic crimes court has reached new heights since President George Weah became head of state. Campaigners see the ex-football superstar as the best person to muster the political will for a court because he has no known connections to the war.
Nigeria: Meet 'Mama Due Process', Obiageli Ezekwesili, Seeking to Be Nigeria's First Female President
Since independence from the British in 1960 Nigeria has never had a female president or vice-president.
Nigeria: Killing of Farmers Threatens Food Security in Northeast Nigeria
Repeated attacks against farmers risk aggravating the food crisis in Northeast Nigeria. Farmers must be protected so they can cultivate their lands and return to their families alive, urged the Norwegian Refugee Council today.
Malawi Govt Orders Halt of Mahatma Ghandi Statue Construction
Government has ordered a halt to the construction of Mahatma Ghandi statue in Blantyre but is not known whether Capital Hill has bowed to increasing pressure from Malawians who feel the statue is irrelevant.
Zimbabwe: Govt Officials Under Fire Over Land Allocations
Government officials from the Department of Lands and Rural Resettlement in Makonde District are under fire for presiding over double allocations of resettlement land. The officials are accused of working in cahoots with community and traditional leaders in the corrupt activities.
Kenya: Richard Quest Speaks On His Sexuality for the First Time On African Soil
Nairobi — CNN's Richard Quest has for the first admitted while in Africa that he is gay. The Quest Means Business presenter, who spoke in Nairobi during an interview on Capital In the Morning, said he is unapologetic about it and advocates for decriminalization of same-sex unions.
Senegal: Is Senegal Ready to Listen to Adolescent Girls?
In October 2017, I traveled to a small village in southern Senegal. I was there to investigate persistent allegations of sexual abuse in secondary schools.
Eritrea: Joint Declaration Between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Ogaden National Liberation Front
Delegation from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) met on 21 October, 2018 in Asmara, Eritrea. The Ethiopian Government delegation was led by H.E. Workneh Gebeyehu and the ONLF delegation was led by Admiral Mohamed Omar Osman.
Nigeria: Snap Shot Pictures of Poverty in Nigeria Aren't Accurate. Here's the Real Deal
Studies that reflect the movement of poverty levels at a particular point-in-time attract a lot of attention. They also inform academic and policy debates across the globe. In Africa, where poverty levels remain high, these snapshots of poverty levels are a big deal.
Nigeria: Buhari Charges Committee to Address Risks in AFCFTA
President Muhammmadu Buhari Monday charged the Presidential Committee for Impact and Readiness Assessment of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, to address risks associated with signing the AFCFTA agreement.
Nigeria: Climate Change - Danger Is Looming in Nigeria, Research Group Warns
Awka — A Nigerian health research group, Nigeria Working Group of the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (NWG-CCGHR) has said that danger is looming in Nigeria as a result of the devastating effect of climate change.
Clarence Thomas’ Supreme Court Dissent Paves The Way For A ‘Racist’ Census
The Supreme Court’s ruling Monday night that Trump’s commerce secretary doesn’t have to explain under oath his reason for adding what some say is a racist question to the 2020 Census was a major victory for the president.
Africa: Advancing African Solutions to African Problems At the AU
Since its foundation in 2001, the African Union (AU) has established an ambitious interest in preventive diplomacy and conflict management and has had a significant effect on security outcomes across the African continent and beyond.
Reports Show Chicago Schools Just As Segregated As Ever
Apparently, there has not been an overwhelmingly significant change in Chicago public schools as far as desegregation 55 years after one of the largest boycotts in the city’s history. The area’s school system is still segregated along racial lines, according to reports published this year.
Breaking: Officer Who Fatally Shot O’shae Terry Reportedly Identified
The officer who shot and killed O’shae Terry on Sept. 1 in Arlington, Texas has reportedly been identified, according to attorney S. Lee Merritt, who is representing the Terry family. See Also: Is There A Cover-Up? Dallas Won’t Release Amber Guyger’s 911 Call After She Killed Botham Jean
Details Of Botham Jean’s Family Lawsuit Against Dallas Are Revealed
The family of the Black man who was killed by a police officer in his own Dallas apartment last month still has plans to sue the city, according to a new report.
Supporting Morocco’s Quest to Close USD24 Billion Green Investment Gap
- Science has increasingly made it clear that the world is on an unsustainable growth model where economic development is occurring at the expense of the environment. The need for a well-balanced approach has therefore become a necessity rather than a luxury.
Govt Finalises Historic Somali Region Peace Deal
Ethiopian government delegation led by Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu have signed a peace deal with the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) delegation led by Admiral Mohamed Omar Osman in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, yesterday October 21.
Watch Stacey Abrams Brilliantly Shut Down A Crazed Republican
Stacey Abrams is running for governor of Georgia and the racist powers that be are doing everything possible to see that she doesn’t win. Brian Kemp, her opponent, has been sued for voter suppression and there have been reports of over 700,000 voters being purged, mainly people of color.
Africa: The Proxy Battle for Africa's Indian Ocean States
Renowned for sunshine, tourism and beaches, the tiny island nations of Mauritius, Seychelles and Maldives are attracting the attention of foreign powers for vastly different reasons.
Nigeria: Ezekwesili Speaks On Chibok Girls, Girl-Child Rights in India
The Allied Congress Party of Nigeria's (ACPN) presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections, Oby Ezekwesili, on Sunday at a forum in India spoke on the plight of the remaining Chibok girls and the need to promote girl-child rights.
Namibia: Street Vendors Protest High Fines
A group of 56 women street vendors marched from nearby Shoprite to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare in Windhoek on Friday to protest against the high fines imposed on them by the municipality.
Zimbabwe: Govt to Clamp Down On Deforestation
Government is tightening environmental laws to rein in people who cut down trees causing deforestation and contributing to climate change, Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Deputy Minister Cde Douglas Karoro said.
Nigeria: Resist Money Politics, Buhari Tells Traditional Rulers
Benin — President Muhammadu Buhari has called on traditional rulers to resist money politics and preach against hate speech during the 2019 general elections.
Nigeria: Minimum Wage: NLC, ULC Threaten Nationwide Strike November 6
The labour unions in Nigeria say they would commence a nationwide, indefinite strike from November 6 if government does not meet their demands.
Nigeria: Buhari, Saraki, Others React to Kaduna Violence, Curfew
President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki and other Nigerians have reacted to the recent violence in Kaduna State.
Marshawn Lynch Launches Initiative To Provide The Homeless With Smartphones
When NFL star Marshawn Lynch isn’t on the football field, he’s focused on giving back to those in need. His latest philanthropic project will provide the homeless population in Oakland and Seattle with smartphones, AfroTech reported.
