Citizens for Global Solutions Blog: Africa

The IMF and Aid to Africa

eapril — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:32:05 -0600

Currently, 65% of the world is in recession, an amount greater than at any time since 1960. The International Monetary Fund [IMF] recently stated that the downturn is likely to be “unusually severe and long-lasting.” The recession is likely to starve developing countries of their resources and the Fund predicts that these fledgling economies may face shortages of investments for many years to come.

Lack of U.S. Commitment to Darfur

shaber — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:13:57 -0600

The U.S. is presently not a part of the ICC, so it does not have to follow the jurisdiction of the ICC. Yet, as a world power and a leader in promoting freedom and equality, many would agree that a stronger stance on arresting and persecuting Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir should be taken by the U.S. The U.S. State Department, during a press release on March 30, 2009, made a comment on the concern of such a warm welcome for al-Bashir by the Arab League. The State Dept. said that the Arab League meeting should have been a way for the League to express its condemnation of the Sudanese president, his actions, and show support for the ICC's decision and rejection of the current violence that has been ongoing in Sudan.

US is Mute While Bashir Travels Freely

don — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:40:50 -0600

According to the New York Times and other media sources indicted Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir has visited with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. Bashir has not been deterred by the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court. He visited Eritrea on Monday and is expected to attend an Arab League summit meeting in Qatar next week.

Partners focus on action for Darfur

dhodges — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 08:24:11 -0600

Thanks to all our Partners who joined us March 14th for our Partners Call on Darfur. Niemat Ahmadi of SaveDarfur joined us to give us the latest information on the situation there. Unfortunately, President Al-Bashir has disconnected many telephone lines and internet connections, in order to keep information from getting from Darfur to the outside world. Ms. Ahmadi told us about this very worrisome development and urged our Partners to press U.S. officials to take action quickly. She said,

"This is the right time for world leaders to show leadership. What's going on in Darfur is a humanitarian crisis, so it is the responsibility of world leaders to help."
read more

ICC Issues Bashir Arrest Warrant - Time for the US to Cooperate

don — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:07:40 -0700

Today the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir (CGS just issues a press release and an action alert .) The warrant accuses the president of two counts of war crimes and five counts of crimes against humanity in Darfur, by ordering government troops as well as Janjaweed militia to engage in a system

Nigerian Children Branded as "Witches" to Save Community

spereira — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:02:18 -0700

What happens when extreme religious fervor mixes with entrenched communal beliefs in black magic? - Innocent children are stigmatized for bringing misery to the community. This is not a new phenomenon. For years, villagers in Nigeria's rural communities have attributed their woes and problems to the sorcery of their children. Once branded as "witch children," these youngsters, ranging from as young as five years to older teens, are accused of being possessed and bringing misery to their families. So central is this practice to the community that the parents are often the ones who identify and comply with the preacher's verdict.

Africa: Democracy Drowning in Oil?

landrysova — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:27:27 -0600

By Lenka Andrysova and Simone Pereira

Scholars all around the world have been searching for years for reasons why most countries on the African continent lack democracy. Tony Leon, former Leader of the Opposition in South Africa, and now a visiting fellow at the CATO institute, identified some reasons for the persistence of non-democratic regimes. In addition to poorly structured judiciaries, ineffective distribution of foreign aid, inefficient opposition, fiscal disconnect between voters and political governing elites (only small proportion of voters pay taxes and therefore the government is not as invested in its citizens' interests) and strong presidential systems, Leon identified oil production as a key deterrent to democracy.

Bashir Indictment Opposed by Half of the World

landrysova — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:30:05 -0600

Nearly half of the countries in the world are demanding that the International Criminal Court postpone prosecution of the Sudanese President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir according to an October story in the Economist. To reach this end, these countries call for the United Nations Security Council to declare that the actual arrest of Mr Bashir is a threat to the peace, breach of peace or an act of aggression as stated in the UN Charter. However, what is at stake if the current situation in the region could not be described as peaceful and stable at all.

Power Sharing Deal Reached in Zimbabwe

spereira — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:59:54 -0600

Following the negotiations that took place the week of September 8, 2008, the political leaders in Zimbabwe have finally reached a deal to share power. Coming out of negotiations Friday, September 12, Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai were smiling as they told reporters of the deal that had been brokered. Although details were only released the following Monday, both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the talks.

Zimbabwe Political Power Struggle Continues

spereira — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:05:07 -0600

Monday, September 8 2008, saw the resumption of power sharing talks between political rivals Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai in Zimbabwe. Following the failure of a clear victory for either candidate in the March 2008 elections, talks have since been launched in the capital to reach a negotiated settlement over power distribution.