Africa

The violent presidential election in Burundi highlights the need for UN election-monitoring services. On the eve of the July 21st presidential election, Taye-Brook Zerihoun, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs warded that “The grave danger the country faces should not be underestimated, given the increasing polarization and the apparent choice of Burundian leaders to put personal interest before those of the country.”

While there is real joy that Obama is visiting Kenya, this moment should provide another platform for progressives to push for the demilitarization of the relations with Africa. This calls for the dismantling of the US Africa Command, the withdrawal of the Special Forces from Somalia and the end of drone strikes.

A new film describes the fight for democracy and socio-economic justice in the tiny sub-Saharan country, located in the continent’s southeast, through the eyes of Bheki Dlamini, a young activist and leading member of Swaziland’s largest banned political party.

There has been much talk of an African renaissance in recent years. Thabo Mbeki, South Africa’s second post-apartheid president, has spoken of a ‘rebirth that must encompass all Africans’.

Hundreds of shack dwellers descended upon the Durban High Court recently, in support of the court appearance of South African Shack Dweller Movement Abahlali baseMjondolo as it defended its right to remain on state-owned land.

A real sense of the ongoing clash between American/Chinese interests can be found in Africa. What's marked African politics in recent years is the growing competitiveness of the far-off Chinese with a seemingly omnipresent US imperialism.