December 2008 Volume 1 Number 6

Africans in Chicago Call for Peace in Un Obama

it the deadliest war since World executed. According to various the Congo War II. It is imperative that the reports, more than 50 civilians africain, est- world intervenes forcefully to were killed in the town of Ki- avert another humanitarian ca- wanja on November 4-5, the CHICAGO - The recent escalation tastrophe." majority of them by CNDP forces ce possible? of violence in the North Kivu Fierce fighting erupted in North who are believed to have assas- province of the Democratic Re- Kivu province in the month of sinated civilians they deemed par Samy Ghorbal public of the Congo (DRC) has October when the National Con- collaborators of the Mai Mai mili- Jeune Afrique worsened the suffering of the gress for the Defense of the tia allied to the Congolese gov- civilian population and the inter- People (CNDP), led by renegade ernment. L'élection de Barack Hussein national community must take general Laurent Nkunda, Obama à la présidence améri- "The Security Council must rein- caine est une révolution et un "It is impossible to envision lasting force the capacity of the UN symbole. Mais elle ne se résume peacekeepers in the DRC so that pas à l'élection d'un Noir à la Mai- prosperity and development in Africa without they can fulfill their mandate to son Blanche. Car l'homme que les peace and stability in the DRC. A conflict-free protect civilians," said Alie électeurs de la première puis- Kabba, Executive Director of sance du monde ont choisi de DRC will ignite the engine of development in all UAO. "It is impossible to envi- porter à la magistrature suprême surrounding countries and beyond. Stabilizing sion lasting prosperity and devel- est bien plus que cela. C'est un opment in Africa without peace sang-mêlé. Le fils d'un étudiant eastern Congo should therefore be a priority for and stability in the DRC. A con- kenyan et d'une Américaine du all who are concerned about Africa." flict-free DRC will ignite the en- Kansas. Un métis. Obama n'est ni gine of development in all sur- un descendant d'esc1ave ni un prompt action to stop the vio- launched a fresh offensive rounding countries and beyond. fils d'immigrant – fût-il de souche lence and protect civilians, the against government forces. Stabilizing eastern Congo should africaine -, venu goûter aux dé- Congolese Community of Chi- CNDP forces seized the town of therefore be a priority for all lices du rêve américain. C'est un cago (CCC-DRC) and United Afri- Rutshuru on October 28, while who are concerned about Af- citoyen du monde, un enfant de can Organization (UAO) said in a forcing more than 100,000 peo- rica." couple mixte, né à Hawaii et joint statement. ple out of their homes. ayant passé une partie de son Aid agencies estimate that, since The more than 17,000-strong enfance en Indonésie. Et ces sig- "The world cannot stand by the resumption of fighting two United Nations Mission in the nes particuliers, loin d'atténuer la while more civilians in eastern months ago, more than 300,000 DRC (MONUC) is stretched thin signification de sa victoire, lui Congo are killed, maimed, raped civilians have been forced from in a country the size of the confèrent au contraire une portée and forcibly removed form their their homes, bringing the total United States east of the Missis- véritablement universelle. homes," said Kividi Kikama, Jr., number of displaced people in sippi. Its mandate is to protect En France, 15 % des mariages Chairman of the Board of CCC- the two provinces of North Kivu civilians against all forms of vio- célébrés en 2006 - un mariage DRC. "During the last Congolese and South Kivu to over 1.6 mil- lence, but it has been unable to sur six - étaient des mariages « war that ended in 2003, more lion. More than 100 people have do so in the face of attacks mixtes », entre conjoints de na- than 4 million people perished as been killed, some caught in the against civilians by the CNDP, tionalité française et étrangère. a result of the violence, making cross-fire and others summarily continued on page 12 Des dynamiques similaires quoique moins marquées sont observées en Grande-Bretagne et New American Voters Flex Muscles aux Pays-Bas, anciennes puis- sances impériales européennes aujourd'hui à l'avant-garde d'un Chicago - In 2006 immigrants vaste mouvement global de mé- marched in Chicago in historic tissage. En Afrique, 17 millions de numbers, chanting “Today We migrants de l'intérieur sont offi- March: Tomorrow We Vote!” In ciellement recensés, dont 7,5 mil- 2007 close to 1.5 million immi- lions dans la seule Afrique de grants in Illinois and across the l'Ouest. Et la fréquence des U.S. became American citizens. mariages mixtes est plus élevée This year new American voters qu'ailleurs. turned out in record numbers. Mais les Africains, qui ont célébré Many pundits credit the Latino dans l'allégresse l'élection du sé- vote with Democratic victories nateur Obama, seraient-ils, pour not only in Florida, Colorado, autant, prêts à faire preuve d'au- New Mexico, and Nevada, but tant d'audace que les Américains, also for the margins of victory in et à confier les rênes du pouvoir North Carolina, Virginia, and à un enfant de couple mixte? Pas Indiana. nécessairement. Ne serait-ce que parce que leurs Constitutions ne In Illinois immigrant civic en- le permettent pas toujours... gagement efforts reached new Le Continent a connu au moins levels of scale and sophistication, New Democracy Project Fellows continued on page 2 and an exit poll shows that La- suite à la page 6

2! BVHVTU!3119!

“I want my children, who I leave behind and perhaps will never see again, to be told Voice of African Immigrants that the future of the Congo is beautiful and & Refugees in Illinois that their country expects them, as it ex- pects every Congolese, to fulfill the sacred Editor-in-Chief task of rebuilding on our independence, our Alie Kabba sovereignty, for without justice there is no dignity and without independence there are Editors no free men…Do not weep for me, my com- Kelley Johnson panion, I know that my country, now suffer- Haidara Cherif ing so much, will be able to defend its inde- pendence and freedom.” Assistant Editor Albertine Scray

Patrice Lumumba, first Prime Minister of the Graphics & Layout Congo and visionary African leader, was as- Amsale Alem sassinated on January 17, 1961. Patrice Lumumba Public Relations Albert Blacktom New American Voters Flex Muscle (continued from page 1) Community Liaisons tino and Asian voters overwhelm- Progreso Latino. One of the areas with record John Henry Assabill ingly consider the G.O.P. “not The “Our Vote is Power” cam- numbers of immigrants register- Tommy Abina favorable” to immigrants. paign was supported with over ing and voting on Election Day John Mukassa-Ssebaana, Ph.D. $1 million in contributions from was Chinatown. “For the past six years ICIRR has charitable foundations and the been urging Illinois political lead- immigrant community itself. A “Chicago's Chinatown has made Contributing Writers ers not to walk down the path of total of 25,804 new citizens reg- history with the registration of Rosemarie Tamba anti-immigrant demagoguery,” istered to vote and more than more than 1,600 new Chinese Nancy A. Addae said ICIRR Executive Director 144,277 immigrant voters in American voters and an unprece- Chapurukha M. Kusimba, Ph.D. Joshua Hoyt. “Unfortunately the Latino, Asian, South Asian, Arab dented turnout on the Election Ousman M. Kobo, Ph.D. Republican Party of Illinois has and Muslims communities were day,” said CW Chan, President of Cyril Wilson now been defined by the loud targeted. 24 full-time campaign the Coalition for a Better Chinese IBé Kaba immigrant bashing of extremists fellows and ICIRR project’s staff American Community. “We like perennial candidate Jim worked with 1,654 Election Day marched in solidarity with other Bobby Gboyor Oberweis and Congressman Pe- volunteers in 694 precincts and immigrant communities and we Yvonne King, Ph.D. ter Roskam. The predictable re- turn out record numbers of immi- voted to make sure that our col- Edith I. Kabba, Ph.D. sult has been the loss for the Re- grant voters through: lective voice is heard and our publicans in the Chicago suburbs American dream is realized.” Interns of three Congressional seats; five • Total door knocks: 212,091 Yao Koudjonou, Illinois Senate seats; and four • Total live phone Through the “Illinois Immi- Communication Illinois House seats. If the Re- calls: 57,385 grant Election Central”, 899 publican Party of Illinois cannot • Total robo-calls: 36,652 Latino and 311 Asian American Raïssa Irakoze, find a way to appeal to the new • Total pieces of voters were surveyed as they Public Policy voters of Illinois they will end up mail: 150,887 were leaving their polling places like the lonely girl at the dance, on Election Day. This first time Advisers sitting ignored in a corner of Illi- effort was done by ICIRR in part- Gaye D. Sleh, Jr. nois politics.” Immigrant and Latino voters nership with Univision Radio Erku Yimer, Ph.D. played a decisive role in the News and the Asian American Since 2004 the Illinois Coalition Presidential contest as well as in Institute and with the collabora- for Immigrant and Refugee local races. In sample immigrant tion of Mikva Challenge, Institute E-mail your comments, feedback Rights (ICIRR) and its member heavy precincts targeted for of Latino Studies at University of or submit articles to organizations have worked tire- GOTV in Suburban Cook and Notre Dame, Chicago Public [email protected] lessly to increase immigrant par- Lake County turn out increased Schools, and the McCormick or call 312-949-9980 ticipation in the civic life of Illi- by 56% and 76% respectively, Foundation. nois through energetic U.S. citi- an increase of 16% and 21.5% zenship and voter registration above neighboring non- Among key results: African Advocate and voter mobilization efforts. immigrant precincts. is published by: Since 2004 ICIRR has registered • Latino and Asian American United African Organization, more than 80,000 new citizens to “Immigrants flexed their political voters overwhelming voted 3424 S. State Street, Suite 3C8-2, vote through its New Americans muscle as never before,” said for President-elect Barack Chicago, IL. 60616 Democracy Project (NADP), and Salgado. Economy and just immi- Obama. Latino voters sup- assisted 93,837 immigrants to gration reform were top issues ported Obama over Republi- naturalize in northern Illinois. for immigrant voters. “The de- can nominee John McCain portation-only strategy has the 91%-8% and Asian American This year NADP’s “Our Vote is effect of destroying families, in- voters supported the Democ- Power” campaign, launched on cluding the families of many U.S. ratic candidate, 81-16%. June 28, 2008, was extremely citizens. Immigrant voters will be successful in mobilizing the immi- holding their newly elected lead- • Obama’s support was particu- grant vote. ers accountable to keep immi- larly intense among Latinos grant families together. At a time ages 18 to 30, who voted for “We registered and turned out of economic crisis, our elected Obama 96%-4% and Asians voters in record numbers who officials should stabilize our econ- in that age range favored him are strongly motivated by their omy with legalization, preventing at 92-3%. US-born Latinos desire to see immigration reform unscrupulous employers from favored Obama at a slightly enacted,” said Juan Salgado, pulling down wages by hiring un- higher rate (92%) than for- ICIRR Board President and Ex- documented workers.” ecutive Director of Instituto del continued on page 3

2 BVHVTU!3119! New American Voters Flex Muscle (continued from page 2) eign-born Latinos (89%). turned-Democrat Paul Froehlich L'Afrique à l'heure américaine Latino first-time voters sup- (D). Representative Froelich has ported Obama 95%-5%. been an outspoken defender of immigrant needs. Republican Par Philippe Perdrix et lonté de changer les choses», in- • Latinos and Asian American challenger Anita Forte-Scott sent Christophe Boisbouvier siste un confident de l'ancien voters broke heavily for De- numerous attack mailers accus- Jeune Afrique président de la Banque ouest afri- mocratic candidates for Con- ing Rep. Froelich of being soft on caine de développement (BOAD). gress. In the 10th Congres- illegal immigration, and a robo- Pour une fois les chefs d'Etat afri- Décidément, le processus d'iden- sional District race between call was recorded on her behalf cains ont été en phase. La plupart tification à Obama touche toutes Republican incumbent Mark by Minutemen spokesperson ont passé la nuit du 4 novembre les couches de la société afri- Kirk and Democratic challenger Rosanna Pulido. Ms. Forte-Scott devant leur télévision pour assister caine ! Dan Seals, Latinos favored was crushed by Rep. Froelich in au sacre du « cousin d'Amérique Seals 77%-23%. Asians also a lopsided vote of 58%-43%. ». Et beaucoup y sont allés de leur En Guinée Conakry, l'impassible backed Seals 59%-41%. In Latino and Asian voters made up petite phrase le lendemain matin, président Lansana Conté a été the 11th Congressional District, 11.8% of the voting population le plus souvent sur l'antenne de tenu informé, le lendemain matin, Latinos voted for Democrat in this race. “This race showed nos confrères de RFI. L'essentiel par son Premier ministre, Ahmed Debbie Halvorson over Repub- conclusively that Illinois voters étant de participer à cette ferveur Tidiane Souaré. La jeunesse dorée lican Martin Ozinga 91%-9%, reject the politics of divisive ra- planétaire, souligner les origines avait d'ores et déjà fête l'événe- while Asians supported cial rhetoric,” Salgado added. kenyanes du 44e président de la ment au Petit Paris, une boîte de Halvorson 83%-17%. In the première puissance mondiale, ren- nuit décorée aux couleurs de la 14th District, where Rep. Bill Immigrants Support dre hommage à cette formidable bannière étoilée. Au Sénégal, l'O- Foster (D) faced a rematch Immigrant Friendly leçon venue des Etats-Unis et sal- bamania est aussi le sentiment le with Republican Jim Oberweis, Republicans: uer l'espoir d'un nouveau monde. mieux partagé. Comme dans la Latinos supported Foster 81%- Des propos de circonstance, cer- plupart des capitales africaines, le 19%, while Asians voted for Despite the preference of the im- tes, mais qui traduisaient une Centre culturel américain y est allé Foster 63%-37%. migrant community towards the sorte de soulagement teinte de de sa soirée spéciale. Quant aux Democratic Party during this elec- joie non dissimulée. Plus rien ne VIP, ils étaient invités à la rési- • Latinos ranked immigration tion cycle, Republicans who sup- sera comme avant. dence de l'ambassadeur des Etats- as their second most impor- ported immigrant issues were re- Unis. Dans le quartier populaire de tant issue, only after the warded by this growing sector of Présidents intraitables, chefs des la Médina, le Comite de soutien à economy. Among immigra- the voting population. In House armées sans états d'âme... peu Obama – parrainé par le maire de tion issues, two-thirds of La- district 17, Republican Elizabeth importe. La carapace s'est fendue. Dakar et président du Sénat, Pape tinos ranked an earned path Coulson (R) defeated Dan Bliss Dans sa localité d'Oyo, au nord du Diop - a battu campagne comme to legal status for the un- (D) by 51%-48%. The Latino and Congo, avec sa famille et notam- s'il s'agissait d'une cause nation- documented as the most im- Asian American vote in this district ment sa fille Claudia, le président ale. A 5 heures du matin, un cor- portant (supported 92%), made up 10% of the voting popu- Denis Sassou Nguesso à « beau- tège a même sillonné la ville, tan- followed by family visa de- lation. Coulson has been a sup- coup zappé» entre les différentes dis qu'au palais de la présidence lays. Asian Americans porter of the immigrant commu- chaînes internationales. De son Abdoulaye Wade préparait ses ranked family visa delays as nity. propre aveu, il a difficilement nombreuses interventions prévues their most important immi- masqué son émotion devant les sur différents medias interna- gration issue, followed by an “These results show the impor- images du pasteur Jesse Jackson tionaux. Apres avoir suivi en direct earned path to legal status. tance for both Democrats and Re- en larmes à Grant Park, dans le le discours d'Obama, et peu publicans to pay attention to the fief de Barack Obama à Chicago. dormi, il a épluché les résultats • Latino and Asian American immigrant community and their pour ensuite délivrer ses commen- voters see the Republican rapid growing political power,” De l'autre cote du fleuve Congo, à taires aux journalistes venus en Party unfavorable to immi- said Cristina Garcia, citizenship Kinshasa, le président Joseph audience au palais ou téléphonant grants. Latinos viewed the program coordinator who worked Kabila, surtout accaparé par la depuis Paris. Si le propos officiel Democratic Party as favor- mobilizing Latino immigrant voters situation au Nord-Kivu, a suivi de se voulait l la hauteur de l'événe- able to immigrants (59.8% in Chicago West side. “Immigrant plus loin l'histoire en marche du ment, « il était heureux comme very favorable, 34.3% some- and Latino voters showed that côté de Washington. Quant à quelqu'un qui voyait son candidat what favorable), but had they are a powerful segment of Omar Bongo Ondimba, il a vécu l'emporter », résume un conseiller strongly negative views of the electorate that can decide cette fameuse nuit à Libreville. qui a l'écoute du patron. the Republican Party. elections.” Dès le lendemain, le président ga- bonais a salué cette élection Demarche Ivoirienne • 68% of Latino voters in the On November 20, ICIRR obtained comme la réalisation « d'une part A Abidjan en revanche, il n'est pas Chicago region consider the a victory at the state level with the importante du rêve du révérend certain que Laurent Gbagbo ait Republican Party “not favor- passage of the Access to Religious Martin Luther King». été le plus enthousiaste. Ses liens able” to immigrants. Ministry Act (HB 4613) that would privilégies avec les Etats-Unis sous allow religious ministry access to Au Mali, en bon militaire de forma- la présidence Bush, via notam- • Asian Americans held similar immigrant detainees in state jails tion, Amadou Toumani Toure sait ment les Eglises évangéliques, views of the parties, though and detention centers. HB 4613 mieux que quiconque qu'une vic- vont devoir être rajustés en ur- by closer margins. More was passed unanimously in the toire n'est acquise que lorsque le gence. A cet effet, la directrice than half of Asian American Illinois House and vaincu a rendu les armes. Avec adjointe du cabinet présidentiel, voters thought the Democ- Senate. son épouse, il aura donc attendu Sarata Ottro Zirignon- qui a se- rats were very favorable to le discours de John McCain pour journe une dizaine d'années aux immigrants, while only 5% ICIRR will also push for just and aller se coucher, à 5 heures, ras- Etats-Unis -, a pour mission de thought the Democrats unfa- humane immigration reform and suré. Tout en appréciant la « no- travailler à un rapprochement vorable. Nearly half (46%) an end to raids and deportations blesse» du candidat républicain avec la future administration thought the GOP was unfa- that lead to the separation of qui a assumé « son échec » et Obama. Dans la perspective de vorable, with only 11.6% families. On January 21, ICIRR will reconnu « la signification particu- l'élection présidentielle en Cote thinking them very favorable be joining other state coalitions lière de cette élection historique d'Ivoire, tous les appuis diplo- and national organizations in D.C. pour les Noirs américains». matiques peuvent avoir leur im- Minutemen: for a massive rally in support for portance. Anti-Immigrant Bigotry common sense solutions for our Informé en temps réel par ses En Afrique du Sud, Nelson Man- Crushed at the Polls: broken immigration system. trois enfants vivant aux Etats-Unis, dela s'est enthousiasmé pour une le président béninois Yayi Boni victoire qui « a démontré que per- The most virulent attempt to mo- était, lui, certain du verdict des sonne ne devrait avoir peur de bilize voters using anti-immigrant urnes. Cependant, l'homme a rêver de changer le monde pour le feelings came in efforts by the veillé tard. L'occasion était trop rendre meilleur ». Pour son pre- Illinois Republican Party, with the belle. « II ne faut pas seulement mier message de félicitations, le support of Illinois Minutemen voir la personne de Barack nouveau président, Kgalema Mot- spokeswoman Rosanna Pulido, Obama. Son triomphe s'explique lanthe, « attend avec intérêt de to reclaim the 56th state district aussi par son parcours et sa vo- seat of incumbent Republican- suite à la page 11 3 BVHVTU!3119! United States and other Western One hundred years later we are Reflection nations. again calling on the global com- A century later, Congo is at an- munity to be at the side of the Congo: other crossroads. In spite of the Congolese. This time, there is one advances in technology and the fundamental difference, the Con- shrinking of the world, it is curious golese are agents in this narrative A Century of Colonialism, that there is such silence around and the call this time is not a hand the suffering of the Congolese -over to a colonial power or neo- Dictatorship & War people due to the exploitation of colonial institutions but rather to powerful corporate and foreign the people of the Congo. Kambale Musavuli power in a western backed coup forces beyond its people’s immedi- The clarion call is for the combat- & Maurice Carney within weeks and assassinated on ate control. Unlike the early ing of the forces (local elites and January 17, 1961. Belgium apolo- 1900s, remarkably, today there rebels, foreign governments, for- Saturday, November 15, 2008 gized for its role in Lumumba’s are few if any voices the likes of marked the 100-year anniversary eign corporations, and multi- of the removal of the Congo from lateral institutions) that have the King Leopold II of Belgium as his Congolese people in a death trap. own personal property. Global out- In spite of the advances in technology and the The charity prism of the humani- rage of the King’s brutal rule re- shrinking of the world, it is curious that there is tarian industry is not the answer. sulted in his losing the Congo It only perpetuates dependency treasure trove on November 15, such silence around the suffering of the and dis-empowerment. Should Congo be truly liberated, the Dar- 1908. Congolese people due to the exploitation of furizaton (emptying of agency Leopold II accumulated spectacu- powerful corporate and foreign forces beyond its from the afflicted people) of the lar wealth for himself and the Bel- people’s immediate control. global movement in support of the gian state during his 23-year do- Congo must be avoided at all cost. minion (1885 – 1908) over the Congolese must be agents rather Congo. During this period an esti- than objects in the pursuit of the Mark Twain who wrote King Leo- mated 10 million Congolese lost control of their land and their assassination in 2002 and the US pold’s Soliloquy, Joseph Conrad, their lives while Leopold system- lives. The sovereignty of the peo- still downplays its role in Lu- The Heart of Darkness (PDF) atically looted the Congo of its ple and control and ownership of mumba’s assassination. (Often misread as Congo or Africa rubber and ivory riches. Congo the riches of their land is the fun- being dark but he was referring to was handed over to Belgium who The US replaced Lumumba with damental human right for which the dark hearts of the exploiters of ruled as a colonial power from the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko we must advocate. It is a call not the Congo), and Sir Arthur Conan 1908 to 1960. Congo finally got its and backed him until he was over- only for the Congo but the entire Doyle of Sherlock Holmes fame independence on June 30, 1960 thrown in 1997. The overthrow of African continent. who wrote Crime in the Congo. when Patrice Emery Lumumba, its Mobutu unleashed an ongoing re- The Congo Reform movement that first democratically elected prime source war that has caused deep Become a part of the global move- drew from the work of African minister took office. Unfortunately, strife and unbearable suffering for ment to Break the Silence as the Americans such as William the western powers, primarily the the Congolese people, particularly Congolese pursue true sovereignty Sheppard and George Washington United States and Belgium could the women and the children. It is and liberty. Williams and led by European fig- not allow a fiercely independent estimated that Congo has lost ures such as Robert Casement and Kambale Musavuli is a Congolese African to consolidate his power nearly six million people since the E.D. Morel gave birth to the mod- activist while Maurice Carney is over such a geo-strategic prize as 1996 invasion by Rwanda and ern international human rights the Executive Director of the the Congo. He was removed from Uganda with support from the Friends of the Congo. movement. Analysis: Dying in the Congo We need to prosecute the corporations buying How we fuel Africa’s bloodiest war blood-soaked natural resources for abetting

Johann Hari, out: this is a "tribal conflict" in "the crimes against humanity, and introduce a global The Independent Heart of Darkness". It isn't. The coltan-tax to pay for a substantial peacekeeping United Nations investigation found it The deadliest war since Adolf Hitler was a war led by "armies of busi- force. To get there, we need to build an marched across Europe is starting ness" to seize the metals that make international system that values the lives of again – and you are almost our 21st-century society zing and certainly carrying a blood- bling. The war in Congo is a war black people more than it values profit. soaked chunk of the about you. slaughter in your pocket. Every day I think about the people I When we glance at the holocaust in met in the war zones of eastern who had been gang-raped by the she had lost her husband some- Congo, with 5.4 million dead, the Congo when I reported from there. militias and shot in the vagina. The where in the chaos. Yes, her sister clichés of Africa reporting tumble The wards were filled with women battalions of child soldiers – had been raped and gone insane. drugged, dazed 13-year-olds who But she and her kids were alive. had been made to kill members of I gave her a lift, and it was only af- their own families so they couldn't ter a few hours of chat along on try to escape and go home. But cratered roads that I noticed there oddly, as I watch the war starting was something strange about Marie- again on CNN, I find myself thinking Jean's children. They were slumped about a woman I met who had, by forward, their gazes fixed in front of Congolese standards, not suffered them. They didn't look around, or in extremis. speak, or smile. "I haven't ever I was driving back to Goma from a been able to feed them," she said. diamond mine one day when my car "Because of the war." got a puncture. As I waited for it to Their brains hadn't developed; they be fixed, I stood by the roadside never would now. "Will they get and watched the great trails of better?" she asked. I left her in a women who stagger along every village on the outskirts of Goma, road in eastern Congo, carrying all and her kids stumbled after her, their belongings on their backs in expressionless. mighty crippling heaps. I stopped a There are two stories about how 27 -year-old woman called Marie- this war began – the official story, Jean Bisimwa, who had four little and the true story. The official story children toddling along beside her. is that after the Rwandan genocide, Congolese Refugees on the main road to Goma in eastern Congo after fleeing in She told me she was lucky. Yes, her the Hutu mass murderers fled Kibumba village had been burned out. Yes, continued on page 5 4 BVHVTU!3119! Obama Makes Hope Possible Again! Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem, performance. Today is for celebra- increasingly narrower nuclearism a mixed-race kid in the 1960s? It is Pambazuka News tion of the possibilities and the of the West and the middle classes a shame that his grandmother was ways in which the campaign and globally. Here was a man raised by not able to hold out to see the Barack Obama, 47 years the candidate has touched so his maternal grandparents and promise come through. It must old, son of an African from touch Obama most deeply too Kenya and a white Ameri- that neither his father nor can was on 5 November mother whose 'forbidden love' 2008 declared the 44th that gave life to him were alive president-elect of the most to see this great moment. It is powerful country in the prove that love across all kinds world, the United States of of divide is not wrong. America. When he was born in 1961 black people were Two, in a world distinctly lack- still unable to vote effec- ing in visionary and inspiring tively and if his Kenyan Dad leaders Obama's message of had been an American he hope and 'yes we can' reso- would have had little in the nates with the frustration of way of electoral representa- the young and all marginalized tion. In the year when we peoples, giving rise to the no- celebrate the 40th anniver- tion that they can do better for sary of the assassination themselves and re not hope- another African-American less or powerless. icon, Martin Luther King Jr, Three, American democracy how more just can it be has been described as 'the that the first ever black best democracy money can president of the US was buy.' While this is true – and elected? Just imagine a this election is by far the costli- black couple and their two est ever in the US – the bal- girls in the White House, ance has shifted in favor of not mowing the lawns or as ordinary people. Money was 'selected' advisers holding traditionally seen as in the big office through patronage corporations and financial but as elected president houses, and in special interests and family occupying the more generally, but Obama's Oval Office, the West Wing faith in the ordinary people and with the buck stopping who donated $5, $10, $100 at his table! forged a formidable movement and force buoyed by his vision, But the election of Obama a vision eloquently carried has too many symbolisms across the length and breadth not just for America, for of the world and echoed Africa, but for the whole thanks to the new information world. Across the world technology bringing 'unyielding President-Elect Barack Obama many people felt connected to him hope' to many. and able to claim him for their own many people. from all accounts with love, emo- Four, in a cynical world, dominated dreams of a better world. tional security and extreme confi- by the 'me me' ideology of greed One, it is a victory for all mothers, dence to believe he could beat the from which decades of neoliberal- There are many angles to look at especially those forced to raise best in a world that set limitations ism decreed TINA (There Is No this victory and hopefully, barring their children alone. It is a victory based on race and class on his am- Alternative), Obama made ‘change’ the assassin's bullet, we will have for family, in the broader sense of bitions. Can you imagine how chal- relevant and inspired millions to four or even eight years to judge the word, not the very narrow and lenging it must have been to raise this captivating personality against continued on page 7 How we fuel Africa’s bloodiest war, continued from page 4 across the border into Congo. The stopping these corporations, our aries of the illegal war economy Congolese army and the UN because Rwandan government chased after governments demanded that the UN fighting to maintain their right to we buy his loot. We need to prose- them. But it's a lie. How do we stop criticizing them. exploit." cute the corporations buying blood- know? The Rwandan government There were times when the fighting At the moment, Rwandan business soaked natural resources for abet- didn't go to where the Hutu geno- flagged. In 2003, a peace deal was interests make a fortune from the ting crimes against humanity, and cidaires were, at least not at first. finally brokered by the UN and the mines they illegally seized during the introduce a global coltan-tax to pay They went to where Congo's natural international armies withdrew. Many war. The global coltan price has col- for a substantial peacekeeping force. resources were – and began to pil- continued to work via proxy militias lapsed, so now they focus hungrily To get there, we need to build an lage them. They even told their – but the carnage waned somewhat. on cassiterite, which is used to make international system that values the troops to work with any Hutus they Until now. As with the first war, tin cans and other consumer dispos- lives of black people more than it came across. Congo is the richest there is a cover-story, and the truth. ables. As the war began to wane, values profit. country in the world for gold, dia- A Congolese militia leader called they faced losing their control to the Somewhere out there – lost in the monds, coltan, cassiterite, and Laurent Nkunda – backed by elected Congolese government – so great global heist of Congo's re- more. Everybody wanted a slice – so Rwanda – claims he needs to pro- they have given it another bloody sources – are Marie-Jean and her six other countries invaded. tect the local Tutsi population from kick-start. children, limping along the road These resources were not being sto- the same Hutu genocidaires who Yet the debate about Congo in the once more, carrying everything they len for use in Africa. They were have been hiding out in the jungles West – when it exists at all – fo- own on their backs. They will proba- seized so they could be sold on to of eastern Congo since 1994. That's cuses on our inability to provide a bly never use a coltan-filled mobile us. The more we bought, the more why he is seizing Congolese military decent bandage, without mentioning phone, a cassiterite-smelted can of the invaders stole – and slaugh- bases and is poised to march on that we are causing the wound. It's beans, or a gold necklace – but they tered. The rise of mobile phones Goma. true the 17,000 UN forces in the may yet die for one. caused a surge in deaths, because It is a lie. François Grignon, Africa country are abysmally failing to pro- the coltan they contain is found pri- Director of the International Crisis tect the civilian population, and ur- Johann Hari has reported from Iraq, marily in Congo. The UN named the Group, tells me the truth: "Nkunda gently need to be super-charged. Israel/Palestine, the Congo, the Cen- international corporations it believed is being funded by Rwandan busi- But it is even more important to stop tral African Republic, Venezuela, were involved: Anglo-America, Stan- nessmen so they can retain control fuelling the war in the first place by Peru and the US, and his journalism dard Chartered Bank, De Beers and of the mines in North Kivu. This is buying blood-soaked natural re- has appeared in publications all over more than 100 others. (They all the absolute core of the conflict. sources. Nkunda only has enough the world. deny the charges.) But instead of What we are seeing now is benefici- guns and grenades to take on the [email protected]

5 BVHVTU!3119! Foreign Policy Obama and Africa: The Change We Have Been Waiting For?

Howard W French problems of the Congo ever since, Huffington Post leaving a vast and potentially rich country that is the effective cross- In the momentary lull that follows astounding two billion people by roads of north, south, east and a presidential election, between full mid-century. west in Africa crippled and unat- -out campaigning and real decision tended. -making, the media has a few ime- Today, for example, a new war honored rituals that center on par- looms in the Congo, a place where Africa has never long retained the lor games and policy speculation. unbeknown to most Americans the attention of our foreign policy United States has played a critical elite, journalists included, and yet This election has been no different. and mostly disastrous role since today this fast-growing continent, While we wait for an Obama ad- independence from Belgium in the homeland of our new presi- ministration to start taking shape, 1960. According to respectable in- dent's father, teeters on a fulcrum one of the favorite exercises has ternational estimates some four point, credibly capable of veering been gazing into crystal balls about million people have died in the off in radically different directions the foreign policy crises the new Congo as a result of wars there in ways that will profoundly affect president will face. Others, a bit since 1996, the greatest toll any- Americans and indeed mankind. more boldly, make forthright state- where since World War II. ments about what the incoming An Africa that can douse its con- government's foreign policy priori- ties should be. While much of the world has gone sour on the Howard French Fred Kaplan's take in Slate was a United States' claim of being a beacon of hope, fairly typical offering of this kind. the 53 countries of Africa have by and large countries of Africa have by and Under the heading, "A Foreign- large remained profoundly attached Policy Repair Manual: Six priorities remained profoundly attached to a vision of to a vision of America as land of for President Obama," he went on America as land of justice, opportunity and justice, opportunity and freedom. to detail a fairly typical laundry list Obama's election will only make of crises and opportunities, from freedom. such feelings much more intense, a getting out of Iraq to "laying the fact I can attest to from correspon- initial groundwork for renewed Is- There is a powerful argument to be flicts, build functioning institutions dence from friends across the con- raeli-Palestinian talks." made that this disaster, along with and continue to lay the foundations tinent of prayer vigils in every faith the Rwandan genocide that pre- of democracy stands to become an for his candidacy and for his suc- As priorities, the lists were fine as ceded it, is Bill Clinton's most im- important player in the next phase cess in office. far as they went. The problem is portant foreign policy legacy, and of globalization, as labor costs rise that for a new leader promising an Obama policy toward Africa run in much of Asia, and capital begins To waste this moment would be change, they have tended to reflect by many of the same people and to prospect for productive opportu- more than a lost opportunity. For the most traditional sorts of Wash- carrying forward Clinton era think- nities elsewhere. the United States, for Africa and for ington priorities, neglecting other ing would be a sign of disdain for the world, it would be a tragedy. parts of the world that are starving the continent and its problems. An Africa pocked by neglected fail- for American moral and political ing states will increasingly become Howard W. French is an associate leadership; places where Obama, The Congo's apocalyptic dissolution a nexus of catastrophe, and con- professor at the Columbia Univer- by virtue of his unique background, began in earnest when Washington trary to the wishes of our foreign sity Graduate School of Journalism, offers particularly compelling po- gave Rwanda the green light to policy establishment, which always where he began teaching in Sep- tential for impact. invade the country, setting off a seeks to confine Africa to the realm tember 2008.In 1997, his coverage free for all that sucked in many of of our lowest priorities, the blow- of the fall of Mobuto Sese Seko The most obvious and important the Congo's neighbors. back from its ever-larger disasters won the Overseas Press Club of omission by list keepers like Kaplan will inflict high costs and pain eve- America’s award for best newspa- is Africa, a continent of nearly one Washington has spent money on rywhere. per interpretation of foreign affairs. billion people today that according the crisis through the United Na- While much of the world has gone www.howardfrench.com to United Nations projections will tions, but in terms of showing po- sour on the United States' claim of count an litical leadership it has run from the being a beacon of hope, the 53

Un Obama africain, est-ce possible? (suite de la page 1) deux présidents métis : le 2012, comme beaucoup lui en cle 35 de la loi fondamentale ivoiri- marque un durcissement par rap- Ghanéen Jerry Rawlings, né d'un prêtent l'ambition. enne ont d'ailleurs été invoquées port au texte de 1989, qui n'im- père écossais, et Ie Togolais La Constitution de la RD Congo en 2000 pour écarter l'ancien Pre- posait que deux conditions: « l'al- Nicolas Grunitzky, né d'un père précise qu'un candidat à la prési- mier ministre Alassane Ouattara, gerianite » et la religion islamique. allemand. Mais les deux sont dentielle doit posséder la nation- au motif qu'il se serait prévalu Enfin, en Tunisie, l'article 38 de la arrivés au pouvoir à la suite d'un alité congolaise d'origine (NDLR: dans sa jeunesse de la nationalité Constitution précise que seuls les coup d'Etat, même si Rawlings a être congolais de naissance), mais burkinabé. candidats musulmans, jouissant ensuite été confirmé par les ne dit rien de la nationalité des C'est au Maghreb que les critères exclusivement de la nationalité urnes. En théorie, un « Obama parents. Jean-Pierre Bemba d'éligibilité sont les plus dra- tunisienne, et « de père, de mère, africain» est possible au Kenya, Gombo, dont le père était métis coniens. En Algérie, l'article 73 de de grands-pères et de grands- en Afrique du Sud, au Camer- portugais, a été autorisé à con- la Constitution de 1996 spécifie mères paternels et maternels tu- oun, au Gabon, au Congo- Braz- courir en octobre 2006 et s'est que tout candidat à la magistra- nisiens, tous demeurés tunisiens zaville, au Bénin, ou encore au hisse au second tour. L'actuel ture suprême doit être algérien sans discontinuité» sont autorisés Mali. Les Constitutions de ces président du Sénat, deuxième per- d'origine, de confession musul- se présenter. pays, d'inspiration universaliste, sonnage de l'Etat, Léon Kengo wa mane, attester de la nationalité permettent à tout candidat de Dondo, est fils d'un médecin juif algérienne de son conjoint, s'il est concourir du moment qu'il polonais devenu belge... marié, et justifier de sa participa- possède la nationalité. Les Constitutions ivoirienne et mal- tion à la guerre d'indépendance s'il De même, la Loi fondamentale gache interdisent à tout individu est né avant juillet 1942. Dans Ie sénégalaise offre la possibilité à dont un des deux parents ne pos- cas contraire, Ie candidat doit Karim Wade, Ie fils du président séderait pas la nationalité d'origine prouver la non-implication de ses Abdoulaye Wade et né de mère de se porter candidat à la fonction parents dans des actes « hostiles à française, de se présenter en suprême. Les dispositions de l'arti- la Révolution ». Une rédaction qui

6 BVHVTU!3119! The U.S. continues to be a leading SOMALIA: Policy Overhaul Required provider of humanitarian assistance funding in Somalia, including to UNHCR. However, the challenging Patrick Duplat & Jake Kurtzer nourished. objectives, the U.S. has at times environment in south central So-

worked at cross-purposes. The U.S. malia requires a new approach. Somalia is the world’s worst hu- Exacerbating the problem has been agenda has been driven by the UNHCR has been extremely effec- manitarian disaster and aid agen- the extreme difficulty in providing Global War on Terror, which has tive in designing and implementing cies are unable to respond to the assistance. Somalia has always undermined U.S. humanitarian and projects either directly or through immense scale of needs. The inse- been a challenging operating envi- political efforts. Decisions to launch partners. Yet some of the funding curity preventing assistance is a ronment for aid agencies, but it has air strikes appear to be taken uni- currently earmarked for UNHCR consequence of failed international now become one of the most dan- laterally by the Department of De- Somalia remains unspent, as secu- political and diplomatic efforts. To gerous places for humanitarian fense without input from the State rity conditions inhibit the provision stabilize the situation in south cen- workers, alongside Iraq and Af- Department regarding the potential of services. tral Somalia, U.S. policy requires a ghanistan. More than 30 staff from diplomatic fallout, and without as- complete overhaul, prioritizing hu- non-governmental organizations sessing the consequences for hu- The U.S. Bureau of Population, manitarian concerns over narrow and UN agencies have been killed manitarian actors on the ground. Refugees and Migration should counterterrorism objectives. this year alone, as well as many take a regional approach to the Neighboring countries are bearing journalists and human rights de- The start of a new administration is Somalia crisis, giving UNHCR the the brunt of the refugee outflow fenders. an opportunity to overhaul U.S. flexibility to allocate funding where

Policy recommendations

• The incoming U.S. Administration should overhaul U.S. policy towards Somalia by taking a com- prehensive regional approach, prioritizing the provision of humanitarian assistance and calling for a truly inclusive political process.

• The U.S. should provide non-earmarked funding that allows UNHCR to allocate funding in the Horn of Africa where it is most needed.

• UNHCR Djibouti should maintain daily protection staff presence in the Ali Addeh camp.

• UNHCR Djibouti should start an outreach program for urban refugees. and more needs to be done to help policy in Somalia, incorporating the it is most needed. This approach them. For example, in Djibouti, the While the responsibility for this cri- input of the humanitarian actors on would include countries of refuge UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) sis lies first and foremost with the the ground, who have the most such as Kenya, Djibouti and should increase its protection staff Somali leadership, the international accurate and detailed understand- Yemen, allowing humanitarian ac- as well as identify and provide ser- community, principally the U.S. ing of the local dynamics of the tors to be responsive to large dis- vices to urban refugees in Djibouti government and members of the regions in which they work. U.S. placement outflows. In particular, city. UN Security Council, has also failed policy must be open to a truly in- funding is urgently needed for the

in its duty to protect the Somali clusive political process in order to Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya More than 3.2 million Somalis – people. They have failed repeatedly achieve a modicum of stability, for services to its growing number 40% of the population – are de- to take a principled engagement to while placing priority on supporting of refugees and in anticipation of pendent on external assistance, solve the crisis, acknowledge the humanitarian assistance at requi- an expansion of the camps’ popula- and 400,000 people have sought power realities on the ground, sup- site levels when openings occur. tion. refuge in neighboring countries. port peace negotiations without

imposing external agendas, or pro- Support Refugees in Patrick Duplat and Jake Kurtzer While the situation has deteriorated vide independent humanitarian as- Neighboring Countries recently returned from Djibouti, in the past two years, the last sistance. Somali civilians are the first victims Somaliland and Kenya where they months have seen worsening indi- of the ongoing conflict, and the assessed the humanitarian situa- cators: more than 1.3 million So- U.S. Policy Requires worsening humanitarian situation tion for displaced Somalis. malis are now displaced within the Pragmatism has left flight as one of the few re- www.refugeesinternational.org country; 35,000 fled from the capi- United States policy in Somalia is maining options. Neighboring coun- tal in October alone; 10,000 Somali loosely based on three objectives: tries and regions bear the brunt of refugees crossed the border into counterterrorism, political recon- this outflow, and more should be Kenya in September; and one in six ciliation, and humanitarian re- done to assist them. children under five years old in the sponse. In pursuit of these three southern part of the country is mal-

Obama Makes Hope Possible Again, (continued from page 5) believe that business should not his partial African ancestry, but the ing ear of someone they trust and for America but potentially for the and cannot continue as usual. So potential for it to inspire a new way who understands their plight as a whole world. successful was he that even his of playing politics in our own coun- result of his own experience. opponent became a candidate for tries where candidates may be Finally Obama's presidency may * Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem is gen- both of them effectively repudiat- judged ‘not by the color of their not mean that the US will suddenly eral secretary of the Global Pan- ing Bush's legacy of right-wing ex- skin’ or their ethnic, religious or be at peace with the rest of the African Movement, based in Kam- tremism. It is a triumph of Obama's social affiliations but – as Martin world, but there is hope that his pala, Uganda, and is also director possible change, and McCain not Luther King put it – ‘by the content administration will stop treating the of Justice Africa, based in London, being seen as a credible agent of of their character.’ rest of us as tenants and be able to UK. change, that won it for Obama. listen to other peoples and take Six, Obama becoming president of their interests and sensitivities seri- Five, the pride that Kenyans and America does not mean that racism ously, ushering in a real multilater- other Africans and peoples of the has ended in America or the poor alism in sharp contrast to the uni- world take in Obama's candidacy will suddenly become rich, but they lateralism of the Bush years. It may and victory is not just the fact of will be able to count on the listen- be ‘good morning’ again not just

7 BVHVTU!3119! New Beginnings African

old as this country. Many of us Refugee Kids African Refugee's Election have grandparents or great- grandparents who came to this Succeed in is an only-in America story country seeking a better life, sometimes fleeing war or hunger Tucson Monitor Staff– Concord Monitor New Hampshire or persecution. But when refu- gees arrive from places so unfamil- After-school munications. iar to the rest of us, their needs so Today, he lives great and their familiarity with Program in Manchester American life so small, the wel- and works for come they receive can be grudg- Doug Ramsey Easter Seals. ing. Public News Service - AZ Tucson, AZ “I have always In Concord, the arrival of new wanted not just comers from Africa, Iraq and be- A Tucson after-school tutoring pro- to vote, but to yond has created tension. Gener- gram aimed at low-income nine-to- run for public ous families and individuals, teach- twelve-year-olds has unexpectedly office,” he told ers and church groups have found itself attracting African refu- Monitor re- reached out to our newest gee children. Susie Elliott, program porter Chelsea neighbours to smooth their path. manager of the Lutheran Church- run ASPIRE program, says the Afri- Conaboy last But there has been resentment, can kids arrive in the U.S. with week. too. English skills far below their grade

Richard Komi (right) with Michell Obama (left) levels, and don't get as much help Komi’s remark- as they need from cash-strapped The Democrats swept all the major able journey was noted by Presi- Komi’s election... is a public schools. She says some contests in New Hampshire elec- dent-elect Barack Obama in 2007, good lesson in the schools used to have three hours tions Tuesday. The New Hamp- when he spoke at the SNHU com- of daily English-learner instruction, shire elections Tuesday. The state mencement. power of hard work, but no longer. will send its first female senator to education and "They get maybe about an hour of Washington. The New Hampshire “Richard Komi may be graduation instruction a day, of immersion in Senate is now dominated by today, but it’s clear that he grew perseverance. English, at their schools; then they women—apparently first for any up a long time ago,” Obama said. The needy will not al- get put back into the regular school legislative body in the country. In “We celebrate with him because day. They've been tested; some of Concord, there is no longer a sin- his journey is a testament to the ways be needy. In- them are not even at kindergarten gle Republican member of the powerful idea that in the face of deed, refugees and im- level." city’s delegation to the state impossible odds, ordinary people Even aside from the reduced Eng- House. can do extraordinary things. At a migrants will enrich our lish instruction, Elliott says, public To all those notable outcomes, time when America finds itself at a communities, our school teaching is geared mostly to let’s add one more: the unlikely crossroads, facing challenges we Spanish speakers. With the help of election to the New Hampshire haven’t seen in decades, we need state, our politics. two part-time teachers and several House of Richard Komi. to hold on to the idea more than volunteers, Elliott has seen the Af- rican kids in her program make Komi, 40, was born in Southern ever. huge progress in learning English Nigeria. He fled when his tribe Komi’s election last week is a good and doing their schoolwork. came under attack, and he spent That is, of course, the same way lesson in the power of hard work, One girl in Elliott's program gained nearly four years in the Republic of people talk about Obama himself. education and perseverance. The two years of reading level in just Benin as a refugee. He came to And this was before Komi was needy will not always be needy. four months. the United States nine years go, elected to the New Hampshire Indeed, refugees and immigrants "She's right now in sixth grade. She working his way through factory House. Komi’s new priorities: will enrich our communities, our tested at second-grade level in and retail jobs. He eventually school funding for Manchester and state, our politics. English. She is now progressing to made it to Southern New Hamp- helping unemployed residents find In an election year with many fine fourth-grade level." shire University, where he finished jobs. results, here is one more reason to Elliott credits no-nonsense, inten- the education he began in Africa celebrate. sive tutoring, along with lots of with a bachelor’s degree in com- Refugee stories like Komi’s are as continued on page 9

survived - I am strong; but they over it was scared, political refu- Africans Adapt to Nordic Chill made it so much easier for me and gees, like rapper Al Agami, who Ellen Otzen, Love broke down for Joel as it did most importantly, for my son." started to head to Africa-friendly BBC News for another Ugandan, Peace Ka- Denmark. bushenga. Historic links In a small, white house standing in Denmark never had colonies in Af- 'Fear factor' the shadow of Copenhagen's oldest Dramatic rica but ties between the sea-faring Al Agami was born in Uganda's capi- churches people from Cameroon, She is a project manager dealing Danes and Africa's Gold Coast, now tal, Kampala, but grew up in Den- Botswana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania with HIV/Aids among the ethnic mi- Ghana, stretch way back in history. mark. He also spent three years liv- and Uganda meet each Wednesday norities in Denmark. The Ghanaian seat of government, ing in Afghanistan. His father was a night to sing in a gospel music choir. She arrived in Copenhagen almost in the capital, Accra, is housed in the soldier. Ugandan Joel Moses came to Den- 30 years ago in 1979, as a diplo- original Christiansborg Castle - a "I am a political refugee. I wound up mark for love, 13 years ago. mat's wife. Her life then was com- slave fort built by the Danes in the in Denmark because of my father's "I was once married to a Danish fortable. 17th century. woman. She couldn't stand living in But it ended abruptly when their Stored inside the Presbyterian Africa and so I moved to her home," relationship broke down and her Church in Accra's Osu district are he explains. husband returned to Uganda. records from the 1850s, chronicling "I love to sing and so I come every "It was a dramatic change," says families with Danish fathers and Wednesday even if I am tired, physi- Peace, who found herself as a single Ghanaian mothers. cally - it builds me up and gears me mother far from home. Eighty Danish surnames, like up for a new day. "I had to declare myself a refugee to Svanekær, Richter and Holm are still "To be honest, I really come to do live in Denmark. I had to live in a in use today in Ghana. something as an African in a white refugee camp while my papers were More recently the links are develop- community because there's a lot of being processed. mental ones. In the 1960s Danish things I do that are gone, not recog- "Strangely, I knew no other Afri- doctors, vets and engineers were Rapper Al Agami came to nized. But I think I am recognized cans," she recalls. sent to Africa and in return African Denmark as a political refugee by reaching out to my fellow Afri- "It was my Danish friends who students came to study. cans." helped me. Of course I would've Then as oppressive regimes took continued on page 9

8 BVHVTU!3119! African Refugee Kids Suceed in Tuscon After-school Program, Mama Africa: Miriam Makeba (1932-2008) (continued from page 8)

personal attention. Laurence Ani As well as their lack of English skills, the African kids also face On stage, Miriam Zenzi Makeba daunting cultural barriers. Elliott exuded an uncommon grace that says explaining Halloween was a was unforced just like the simple challenge. "They didn't even know what Hal- lyrics of her songs that has thrilled loween was. They had no idea why audiences across the world for we have this pumpkin, because decades. You need not understand pumpkins are something they eat; the lyrics of her songs to appreci- pumpkins are not used for recrea- ate both the intensity of their mes- tion or for show." sage, or the ingenuity that under- Elliott's program, funded by the pin them. They were simple coun- Lutheran Wheatridge Foundation, try ballads and village lores that runs three hours after school each evoke memories of lost innocence, afternoon. It currently has 30 low- an idyllic existence that speaks to income students, about half of our shocking repudiation of broth- them African refugees. Because of erhood and community. its success, there is now a waiting list. Yet, those innocent lyrics, devoid of any fiery rebuke, were consid- Africans Adapt to Nordic Chill, ered atrocious by South Africa's (continued from page 8) then apartheid government which stress with the Idi Amin [a former revoked her citizenship and right Ugandan dictator] era." to return to her home country, af- Al Agami is now one of the biggest ter her appearance in a riveting names in Danish rap music. anti-apartheid documentary, Come He recalls how Denmark in the Back Africa, in 1960. 1970s was "very quiet" which he feels is a contradiction to his "can't Thus began a spell in exile that sit still" personality. spanned decades from the United Miriam Makeba - musical symbol of South African struggle He says it was weird because there States (from where she fled after were "no brown faced children" but series of harassment from the au- Broadway-inspired South African there was "no fear factor", unlike Where the evil wrought thorities) and later Guinea. The musical. She would later sing at now. Guinean government of Sekou by apartheid made life Somali Khadija Fara works as a President John Kennedy's birthday, Toure gave her all the courtesies a seem hopeless for her social adviser. When she arrived in working in New York with Harry continent's mother (she is popu- the 1980s, she says things were fellow black South Belafonte where tunes such as larly called Mama Africa) deserves, different; but it was during the Africans, her music "The Click Song" and "Pata Pata" even asking her to address the 1990s that everything began offered a soothing relief were created. changing. United Nations General Assembly "Many, many Somali refugees on its behalf. She did that twice, and gave them reasons Performances in Europe and Amer- came to Denmark and they were and on each occasion spoke out to smile and cling onto ica brought her to the attention of against the evils of apartheid. the biggest minority group," life. Harry Belafonte and Steve Allen Khadija says. which helped catapult her to fame. That is when the fear factor, as Al More accolades were to come In 1959, she won a Grammy Agami calls it, set in. later: She was received by such The test of true art is in its ability award for the album An Evening world leaders as Hailé Selassie, to stay evergreen. Makeba's music with Harry Belafonte & Miriam Shift in attitude Fidel Castro, John F. Kennedy and has remained appealing decades Makeba. Hostility, resentment and friction François Mitterrand. Makeba has after, surviving the onslaught of rose and two years ago, tension also toured with great singers such disco, hip-hop and the sub- Her other awards include, the spilled over when Muslims took to as Paul Simon, Nina Simone, Hugh cultures they have inspired in Af- 1986 Dag Hammerskjold Peace the streets outraged by cartoons of Masekela and Dizzy Gillepsie. rica. Prize and the UNESCO Grand Prix the Prophet Muhammed in a Dan- du Conseil International de la ish newspaper. A website created to honor accom- Since her death was announced, Musique. "After the 11th of September plished South African nationals there has been an endless stream [2001], Islam became a political (zar.co.za) notes: "The ban on her of eulogies. It's no surprise given issue and it is a big one here in In 1967, one of her most popular records was lifted in South Africa the accomplishments of this simple Denmark, unfortunately," explains tune, Pata Pata, was released in in 1988 and she returned to her but exceptional woman whose mu- Khadija. the United States and scored an homeland in December 1990. Four sic was - and still remains - a sig- "I wish people would instead use instant hit worldwide. Other popu- nature tune for all Africans. their energy on other things like years later, she started a charity lar and commercially successful integration and making the second project to raise funds to protect Born 1932 in Johannesburg, South songs include Welela, Malaika and generation immigrants from feeling women in South Africa. Her first Africa, Makeba's first shot to lime- several memorable tunes that marginalized." concert in South Africa (1991) was light was as a vocalist with the were just the perfect anthems for Peace Kabushenga believes the a huge success and this was a Manhattan Brothers in 1954. She a black world in the turbulent '60s problems have stemmed from the prelude to a world-wide tour which would later quit to record with her seeking for a voice capable of giv- large number of immigrants arriv- included the USA and Europe." all-woman group the Skylarks ing meaning to the expression, ing. She was married to Stokely Carmi- while touring Southern Africa with black is beautiful. "You have to bear in mind that chael, a radical Black Panther Alf Herberts' African Jazz and Vari- Denmark is a very small country leader. She had also been married ety, an 18-month tour reputed to Makeba surmounted challenges and so many foreigners have come to Hugh Masekela. have launched the careers of including the effects of several car in. I don't think the Danes were many African artistes. accidents, a plane crash and even prepared for all of us." Although well received on the cancer. But there is always a time The resultant shift in attitude has American culture scene, the love But it was a talent that blossomed to take the final bow and exit the caused Peace to worry for herself turned sour after her marriage to much earlier when as a 13-year- stage. Makeba has just succumbed and her son. Carmichael in 1968. The US never old, she was adjudged winner of a to that eternal rule. The ovation "When he's out there I don't want placed a formal ban, but her once talent show at a missionary school. remains as it was when she first him to feel like a foreigner. I would thriving concert deals suddenly The town took note; often inviting feel very sad if he told me, he was walked into our lives - and stole dried up. It is remarkable that she young Makeba to sing at weddings mistreated on the streets," she our hearts. lived through the trauma without a and other social functions. says. whiff of bitterness in her songs "Yes, he has a black skin but he In 1959, Makeba starred as female has his roots here and he is very, and comments. very Danish." lead in the show, King Kong, a

9 BVHVTU!3119! professional audits; they can wait weaknesses of the Liberian state. would profit from collaborating in Lib e ria : a few more weeks to see what rec- The GAC, the Governance Commis- earnest, so too could ministries. ommendations were made and sion, the Commission on Contracts For example, Defense, Labor, how the executive responds. Only and Procurement and the most Youth & Sports and Gender all President once that has happened, and the recent, the Anti-Corruption Com- serve the same clientele: is there president has failed to act, can she mission: all have a mandate to inter-agency collaboration between Adopts New be accused of “playing favoritism.” combat waste in government, them? Corruption is the mother of nearly close loopholes that make theft Candidate Sirleaf Johnson prom- Ta ctic s in all ills in Liberia. President William ised to fight corruption in three Tolbert cited it as an evil it when- steps: educating Liberians about ever he could. When those who For the first time in its negative effects on social devel- Fight against overthrew him stormed the Execu- Liberia’s history, a opment; paying living wages to tive Mansion, killed him and later those working for government; government is Corruption executed members of his govern- and prosecuting those caught ment, the soldiers needed just one sidestepping sound stealing public funds. Abdoulaye W. Dukulé phrase to justify their brutality: On the first two steps, although “rampant corruption.” Later, the bites and formulating much remains to be done a great No country can ever claim to have government they established a workable national deal of progress has been made. eradicated corruption totally. How- would turn out to be even more Liberians have learned through ever, governments can put in place corrupt than the one it replaced. policy against daily experience how corruption measures to bring the phenome- The administration of Charles Tay- corruption. affects their lives and how en- non under control, and in her re- lor simply turned government into grained it is in every aspect of so- cent policy statement on the issue a criminal enterprise, with interna- ciety. Since 2005, salaries have President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of tional ramifications. What Taylor possible and recommend ways in risen almost 300 percent and peo- Liberia seems to have placed her- did was not much different to what which public institutions can be ple are better able to plan their self on the path to finding long- past administrations had done; reformed. These commissions all lives around dependable incomes. term solutions to a scourge that only he took it to a different level. seem to be taking their cues from But there are serious constraints to has permeated Liberian society Just 10 years ago, Liberia was off a broad reform agenda, but they the prosecution of culprits. The and government from its founding the charts of the world’s most cor- have operated in little pigeonholes, country has never had a strong days. judiciary. The weakness of the Elected three years ago with the court system means that even if fight against corruption as one of the government has the will to her most important campaign prosecute, its efforts are in vain if planks, Johnson Sirleaf has com- guilty people, notwithstanding the plained often about endemic cor- evidence, are acquitted by a court ruption in all branches of govern- and a jury of peers. Yet Liberia ment – sounding, at times, on the needs the courts: nobody wants to brink of desperation. But her new return to the days when the ex- policy statement is a clear depar- ecutive could accuse and execute ture from her past utterances, anyone at whim. So the judiciary when she and others in the gov- as a final arbiter is in need of a ernment have seemed at a loss for serious overhaul. what to do. For the first time in Liberia’s his- In her landmark speech the presi- tory, a government is sidestepping dent welcomed collaboration from sound bites and formulating a the media, the general public and workable national policy against political commentators. This is a corruption. Better inter-agency co- novelty, and a departure from the ordination, especially amongst the defensive approach she has new governance commissions, the adopted in the past, when she strengthening of the judiciary and sometimes gave the impression a media committed to play the role she was protecting some people. of watchdog will all play a crucial She also recognized the fact that part in implementing the policy corrupt practices are part of the successfully. (Whistleblowers have very foundation of Liberian institu- a crucial role to play too, and they tions. Finally, she pointed to the must be encouraged to play their issue of impunity – the fact that part.) some have seemed immune to the Above all, responsibility for the consequences of their corruption. success of this war against corrup- In addressing these issues, the H. E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia tion rests squarely on the shoul- president seems to have recon- ders of the president. A few nected with her campaign promise rupt nations. rarely or never coordinating strate- months ago, Auditor John S. Morlu to find ways in which to fight After Gyude Bryant was appointed gies. said that auditing is more about against theft, waste and graft in in Taylor’s place to preside over That is about to change, according finding loopholes and weaknesses the public domain. the transition to a democratically- to the president, and this is a ma- in systems and recommending cor- President Johnson Sirleaf may elected government, some op- jor step forward. She said for ex- rective solutions than trying to have disappointed Liberians hun- posed taking the “Gang of Bryant” ample that the Governance Com- catch thieves. Of, course, he gry for drastic measures by failing to court too hastily because we mission (GC) will be playing a big- added, “If we come across a thief to suspend or fire individuals, or thought his administration should ger role. Collaboration between in the process, we must catch him recommend prosecutions based on be given a chance to clean up its this commission and the GAC could and remove him.” recent audits by the General Audit- own house. But too many people lead to a triangulation in which the But all in all, it is about fixing the ing Commission (GAC). Their frus- wanted to see “blood,” the govern- GAC uncovers shortcomings and system, changing a culture, re- tration in a country accustomed to ment gave in to the pressure and loopholes, the GC makes recom- arranging the way Liberia governs kangaroo courts and flashy judg- Bryant and others were taken to mendations and the executive itself and how Liberians perceive ments is understandable. But Libe- court precipitately. Up to now takes corrective measures. Similar government and public service. rians will have to outgrow their nothing substantial has happened collaboration could be instituted That is what the Johnson Sirleaf is taste for fast gratification. because of the weakness of the between all the commissions. now trying to do. She must stay In the past, leaders have practiced judiciary. Now, the same noise- A major weakness of the current the course and not be deterred by the politics of scapegoating, using makers are expecting Sirleaf John- system – and one that creates the distracters, whether in-house or in crowd-pleasing judgments to get son to make the same hasty deci- impression of an imperial presi- the streets. And she must be en- rid of foes. Now, we must wait for sions. dency – is that all agencies in gov- couraged and helped. the legislature to review the audit Since 2005, new institutions have ernment have an umbilical link to reports in their entirety. This is the been created, all empowered to the Executive Mansion, with little first time Liberians will have been fight one or other aspect of the horizontal inter-agency collabora- given access to the full results of tion. Just as the new commissions

10 BVHVTU!3119! L'Afrique à l'heure américaine (suite de la page 9) Community Updates New Beninese Leadership Elected in Illinois fructueuses relations de travail» The United African Organization Socio-cultural Secretary avec l'ex-sénateur de l'Illinois, welcomes a new member associa- On October 26, 2008, the General Emmanuel Hounguevou, qui, en campagne, avait critiqué tion – the Association of Be- Assembly of the Association of Be- Secretary of Communications l'attitude de Pretoria au Zim- ninese of Illinois. ninese of Illinois met in Chicago to I. Abdon Gbedo, Treasurer babwe. A Harare justement, le elect a new Board of Directors and président Robert Mugabe a at- As their numbers continue to grow, adopt new bylaws. The bylaws In his victory speech, the President tendu le 7 novembre pour réagir Africans from Benin recently took a were proposed and read to the As- reiterated the challenges faced by en se déclarant « prêt à améliorer giant step forward in the creation sembly. After several amendments the Beninese community: “As our les relations » avec les Etats-Unis. and incorporation of a non-profit and debate about the amend- community is growing, our chal- Décidément, l'élection d'Obama organization after several months ments, the bylaws were adopted by lenges are growing as well. It’s est de nature à faire bouger les of community dialogue and en- 85% of those in attendance. only together that we can over- lignes. gagement. come our challenges.”

With the adoption of the bylaws Avec Cheikh Yérim Seck, Cécile The Association of Beninese of Illi- complete, the assembly elected a The new board was sworn in and Sow et Amadou Diouf (Dakar), nois brings together Beninese and new Board of Directors. The Board promised to get to work right Baudelaire Mieu (Abidjan) et friends of Benin with a common was elected for a 2-year term. The away. The Beninese community is Sophie Bouillon (Johannesburg). objective of addressing the cultural, new board members are: very happy with the new direction economic, educational, immigra- that the Association is heading, and tion, health, scientific, and social Moucha Anjorin, President the devotion of its members and its needs of its community members. Telesphore Azogan, new board. Its primary is to cater to the needs Vice President of the people of Benin living in the S. Bob Dagnon, For more information about the State of Illinois, serving as the Secretary General association, please visit voice of the Beninese in the city of Pepe Ghezo, www.benineseofillinois.org or Chicago and other parts of the Assistant Secretary General e-mail [email protected]. state. David Elegbe,

Health Matters Epilepsy: A Neurological Condition

Rosemarie Mamei Tamba, What causes epilepsy? What are the risk factors? • Place something soft under RN, BSN, MSN There are systems that limit the Babies who are small for their ges- the person’s head spread of electrical activity and tational age, babies who have sei- The word epilepsy is derived from there is a balance in the brain be- zures in the first month of life, ba- • Do not force the person’s the Greek “epilepsia” which means tween factors that begin electrical bies who are born with abnormal head down (a soft surface “to take hold of” or “to seize. Epi- activity and factors that restrict brain structures, bleeding into preferred) lepsy affects people of all ages, it. During a seizure, these limits brain, abnormal blood vessels in races, and nationalities. About break down and abnormal electri- the brain, serious brain injury or • Take the person’s glasses 2.7 million American have been cal discharges can occur and lack of oxygen to the brain, brain or backpack off treated for epilepsy in the past five spread to whole groups of tumor, infections of the brain: ab- years which is 8 or 9 out of every neighboring cells at the same time. scess, meningitis or encephalitis, • Loosen any tight clothing 1,000 people. More men than This linkage of electrical discharges stroke resulting from blockage of near the neck women have epilepsy. New cases creates a “storm” of electrical ac- arteries, cerebral palsy, mental of epilepsy are most common tivity in the brain (seizure), which handicap, seizure occurring within • Do not place an object into among children, especially in the may be due to one of the follow- days after head injury (“early post- the person’ mouth during first year of life. The rate of new ing: traumatic seizures”), family history the seizure cases gradually declines around • Trauma to head or brain re- of epilepsy or fever-related sei- the age of ten and then becomes sulting in scar tissue or cere- zures, Alzheimer’s disease (late in • Do not restrain or hold the stable. Approximately two-thirds of bral atrophy the illness), fever-related (febrile) person or to stop his/her the 125,000 people who are newly seizure that are usually long and movement diagnosed each year are adults. • Tumors, cranial surgery, use of illegal drug such as cocaine. Epilepsy also known as seizures metabolic disorder, drug tox- • Move objects, especially disorder is a neurological condition icity, central nerve infection, Management: sharp or hard ones away that produces brief disturbances in circulatory disorder There is no known cause for epi- from the person the normal electrical functions of lepsy. According to the Epilepsy the brain. It is a sudden alteration • Drug withdrawal states Foundation of America, seizures • Stay with the person until in normal brain activity that causes (alcohol, barbiturates), con- can be successfully controlled by the seizure ends distinct changes in behavior and genital neurodegenerative appropriate medication and treat- body function. Seizures are disorders ment in 50 to 80 percent of the • Talk with the person in thought to result from distur- cases. The treatment is aimed at calm, reassuring way after bances in the cells of the brain Types of Seizures: the underlying cause. In some the seizure is over. that cause cells to give off abnor- • Generalized (or Grand Mal) Sei- cases, surgery may be indicated in mal, recurrent, uncontrolled elec- zure: the whole brain is af- order to remove the epileptic fo- • Observe the event and be trical discharges. The pathophysi- fected. There may be lapse of cus, the part of the brain which able to describe what had ology of the seizures is unknown. consciousness and convulsions. produces the seizures. happened before, during, The brain has certain metabolic Motor function and bladder or and after the seizure needs for oxygen and glucose. bowel control may also be af- Things to do to help someone Neurons also have certain perme- fected. When someone has a seizure: • Offer to call a friend, rela- ability gradients and voltage gradi- • Stay calm tive or taxi to help the per- ents that are affected by changes • Partial Seizure: abnormal elec- son get home in the chemical and hu- trical activity occurs in only a • Check if the person is moral environment. A seizure part of the brain. It does not wearing a medical alert • Call 911 if the person hav- may manifest itself as an altered affect consciousness; however, bracelet ing a seizure is known to behavior, motor, or sensory func- specific effects depend on the have epilepsy. tion relating to any anatomical lo- part of the brain involved. The • Help the person to lie down cation in the brain. It not conta- effects may include lip-smacking on his/her side (turn head/ RESOURCES: gious, it cannot be caught by or jerking movements in a cer- body sideways to protect www.epilepsyfoundation.org someone else. tain part of the body. airway) www.epilepsy.com

11 BVHVTU!3119! Africans in Chicago Call for Peace in the Congo (continued from page 1) the Mai Mai militia, the Rwandan ment of the DRC and, instead, to the displaced people, and return 5. The United States government Hutu rebels (FDLR) or by uncon- make their grievances known to the peace-process that led to must provide significant humanitar- trolled government forces. through the country's political insti- the UN-sponsored "Goma Accord" ian aid to the displaced people and To bring an immediate end to the tutions. of February 2008. assist in the process of reforming violence, alleviate the suffering of Congolese security forces. the civilian population, and ulti- 2. The United Nations must deploy 4. The Congolese government mately protect the democratic a rapid-response military operation must step up efforts to reform its 6. The governments of Rwanda process that the support of the in- which will bolster the capacity of security forces so that they can and DRC must honor their pledge ternational community has made the UN peacekeepers and deter protect civilians and defend the to refrain from providing support to possible, CCC-DRC and UAO offer acts of violence against civilians. country's territorial integrity with armed groups hostile to each the following recommendations: professionalism, and it must se- other, including the CNDP of 3. All warring parties, especially verely punish those members of Laurent Nkunda and the Hutu mili- 1. The CNDP and Laurent Nkunda the CNDP, must stop the targeting the armed forces who engaged in tia of the FDLR. must halt their insurrection against of civilians, open humanitarian cor- acts of violence against civilians, the democratically elected govern- ridors to give aid agencies access including assassinations and rapes. Sports Africans Seek World Cup Business Boost Bill Wilson "I had the skill, international ex- because I am a woman," she says. And, although most opportunities Business reporter, BBC News perience, and I was very passion- to win contracts in heavy infra- Johannesburg ate about doing multi-media "Now we have the World Cup com- structure work have now gone, Mr work," says the lively 28-year-old. ing, and I have been hoping that it Nkomfe says there are other areas The 12th edition of football will help increase the audience for to potentially invest in the South business exposition Soccerex "I now have the two offices here in Evo Media, and bring us extra African economy around 2010. is meeting in South Africa, 18 South Africa, but my mission is to work." months before the country is take over the globe," she jokes. But she believes due to host the Fifa World Cup that at the moment in 2010. To that end the firm has also there is not enough As hundreds of overseas firms opened a small office in London. verve about selling gather for the convention, it "We design TV commercials, start- the tournament. should not be forgotten that Afri- ing with concept development "I want to use the can companies are also hoping to through to the final stage," she World Cup to com- grab a slice of football business in says, sipping coffee on the terrace municate my com- the run up to the 2010 World Cup. of her modern Johannesburg of- pany to a wider fice. audience, and get The number of African delegates The firm, which employs 23 peo- people excited. But crowded across five floors of the ple, has secured work from Ger- there is not really US-style convention centre - many, Spain, Russia, and Romania much vibe about it housed in the new business district - for a mineral water firm - among yet in South Africa. to the north of the city - has in- others. creased this year. "Of course I hope They represent a number of indus- African teams like Nigeria are hoping for victory Entrepreneurial spirit the tournament in 2010 tries, from new media, to tourism, "The entrepreneurial spirit has to brings me more engineering, and a host of other be instilled into the local black opportunities, but perhaps as a sectors. "The private sector is building new population of country we don't feel the magni- hotels and restaurants and other South Africa," tude of it right now." tourist facilities ahead of the tour- says Emiley, nament," he says. who is also Creative opportunities Other areas for private business deputy chair Creating and achieving business involvement - apart from in the person of the results around the World Cup is creative media and tourism sectors Cape Town the responsibility of people like - include infrastructure mainte- film commis- Mandla Nkomfe, head of finance nance, call centers, energy, and sion, looking and economic affairs at Gauteng television transmission technology. after young provincial government. Meanwhile Emiley Vollmer is hop- film makers. ing that the potential opportunities "We still need "The World Cup offers the oppor- surrounding the World Cup soon support to tunity for the 11,000 firms we become reality, particularly in the change the have in the creative industries here two industries where black people mindset to tell in South Africa - film companies are making inroads - media and people 'you and others - to win wide exposure tourism. are capable of for themselves," he says. Football legend George Weah believes the performing in If measured on its own, Gauteng - games will be good for Africa "The 2010 World Cup will have an the market- whose provincial capital is Johan- impact on our society like never place'. nesburg - has the fourth biggest before," she says. "I am in a minority - I don't let economy in Africa, behind South "Africans will receive increased op- Hopes for black business anything put me down." Africa, Nigeria and Egypt. portunities, including those for Among those looking to win new It is also where the World Cup freelancers in the media, especially business on the back of the World She adds: "But because people opening game and final will take cameramen and sound engineers. Cup coming here in 18 months' have been told for so many years place, and where the international "In addition advanced training will time, is Emiley Vollmer who runs to consider themselves 'small' they media centre for the tournament be rendered to individuals and Evo Media. do not have the attitude to start will be based. companies to improve the quality Evo is a company that specializes their own businesses." of our broadcasting and produc- in new media design, visual effects To this end she says that the post- "The 2010 World Cup offers us an tion." design, 3D animation, web design, apartheid policy of Black Economic opportunity to attract investment video-production, and post- Empowerment (BEE), which is de- in to our country," says Mr She also believes that BEE means production. It has offices both in signed to give black people - and Nkomfe. the black African population will Cape Town and here in a huge also women - a greater role in the The South African government is see their talents reach a new peak tower block opposite from Soc- economy, has been a great stimu- investing up to 28bn rand ($2.8bn, during and after the World Cup. cerex. lus. £1.8bn) in infrastructure projects As Liberian and African football Emiley, who was born in neighbor- such as in stadiums, improved legend George Weah said at the ing Namibia and later studied and "BEE allows me to perform in the transport links, IT and communica- close of this year's Soccerex: "It is lived in Germany, opened a studio market, and not be locked out be- tions. a new beginning - one of confi- in Cape Town in 2005. cause of the color of my skin, or Tourist hotels dence in Africa."

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