Africa Archives - Page 51 of 65

Of Blood and Gold: How Canadian Mining Companies Loot the Congo

John Lasker February 26, 2009 John Lasker

Mining in the DRC

In the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where some analysts say a decade-long "resource war" has taken the lives of millions, a Canadian mining company has caught a fever over gold. Once again, the presence of a foreign mining company in the DRC offers a stunning example of disparity between the "have-mores" of the West and the local Congolese, who in turn seemingly have nothing but violence and struggle.

Congo: Laurent Nkunda to the International Criminal Court?

Rene Wadlow February 4, 2009 Rene Wadlow

Laurent Nkunda

The Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on November 28, 2008 was the beginning of the end for self-proclaimed General Laurent Nkunda and his Congress for the Defense of the People (CNPD).

Obama and US Policy Towards Africa

Horace Campbell January 28, 2009 Horace Campbell

As Obama takes over the presidency of the United States, Horace Campbell contextualizes an Obama presidency in the realities of Africa and the ongoing global finance crisis. He argues that "capitalism should not be reconstituted and rebuilt on the backs and bodies of Africans."

Can Africa Survive Obama’s Advisors?

Patrick Bond November 24, 2008 Patrick Bond

Paul Volcker

One of US president-elect Barack Obama's leading advisers has done more damage to Africa, its economies and its people than anyone I can think of in world history, including even Cecil John Rhodes. That charge may surprise readers, but hear me out. His name is Paul Volcker, and the 82-year-old banker was recommended as "a legend!" to Obama by Austan Goolsbee, his chief economic adviser.

Congo: How we Fuel Africa’s Bloodiest War

Johann Hari November 6, 2008 Johann Hari

Refugees Flee Congo Conflict

The deadliest war since Adolf Hitler marched across Europe is starting again - and you are almost certainly carrying a blood-soaked chunk of the slaughter in your pocket. When we glance at the holocaust in Congo, with 5.4 million dead, the clichés of Africa reporting tumble out: this is a "tribal conflict" in "the Heart of Darkness". It isn't. The United Nations investigation found it was a war led by "armies of business" to seize the metals that make our 21st-century society zing and bling. The war in Congo is a war about you.

Africom, Militarization and Resource Control

Nunu Kidane October 21, 2008 Nunu Kidane

Combined Joint Task Forces, Uganda

For years, the US never considered Africa as a priority foreign policy agenda. The only context in which Africa came up in Washington was for preferential trade as in AGOA (Africa Growth and Opportunity Act) or in AIDS-funding and of course humanitarian assistance. Despite its continued use of the term 'partnership with Africa', no administration viewed Africa as anything but a source of extractive resources and a perpetual conflict ridden region with few business opportunities. So now, when the US declares Africa to be a very important region and pays special attention to it, one has got to be suspicious.