GP: Guinean Criminal Applauded

Guest Post: Mouhammad from Senegal

Former Guinean President and Criminal Dadis Camara is acclaimed at the airport

After being notified of his mother’s death, Cmdr. Dadis Camara returned to his home country Guinea after three years of exile. On Saturday, 13 April, Dadis returned to his hometown Nzérékoré to take part in his mother’s funeral. The authorities of the country tried to make sure he did not pass through Conakry, the capital. Furthermore, he was expected to return to Burkina Faso ,where he stayed in exile, after the funerals.

Before exile, Dadis Camara was the head of the Junta in Guinea. He ruled the country for a short period of time after overthrowing the previous regime. He is known for having given orders that led to the killing of more than 150 people and the rape of a number of women during manifestations on September 28 2009. He was later betrayed by his right hand who attempted to kill him. The Junta was overthrown and Dadis was then deported for treatment.

Upon arrival in Guinea, Cmdr. Camara was applauded and praised by the population from the airport to his village Koulé. He was escorted by a huge number of supporters. His short sojourn in his home country has been the proof of the considerable support Cmdr. Dadis Camara still has in Guinea despite the controversy around his personality.

Random Mouhammad Thoughts: 
I am shocked by the ignorance and division of the Guinean population. I cannot comprehend the fact that such a man who was the perpetrator of so many killings and encouraged the rape of so many women can be praised by some individuals. This is speaks to me how far behind the Guinean population is in terms of democracy, human right violations, freedom of choice, etc. I agree that individuals should have the freedom to choose which political figure they want to align with. However, I also think that a crime is a crime no matter who the perpetrator is and he should be punished for it and not praised.

GP: Egypt Worried About Dam

Guest Post: Jerry from Ethiopia

Egypt Worried Over Potential Negative Impact of Ethiopian Dam

The promising Renaissance Dam, which Ethiopia started building with the intention of storing 84 billion cubic meters of water, has been creating tensions between long-time friends Ethiopia and Egypt. This dam is under construction on the Blue Nile River about 40 km (25 mi) east of Sudan in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. At 6,000 MW, the dam will be the largest hydroelectric power plant in Africa when completed, as well as the 13th or 14th largest in the world.

Artist Rendering of Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia

However, the construction of the dam has been unpleasant news to Egyptian government officials. A report on the effects of the Ethiopian mega dam on Egypt’s water safety is to be issued soon, government official says. The report will also reveal concerns of potential negative influence on Egypt’s share of the Nile Water "depending on the mechanism and time of water storage behind the dam," the government official added.   

Random Jerry thoughts: 
The construction of this promising dam is very crucial for the growth of Ethiopia by providing enough hydroelectric power to the speedily developing industries of the country. In addition, it can be used to supply electricity to the rapidly growing population of Ethiopia. Furthermore, the hydroelectric power can be exported to other neighboring African countries to generate revenue for the country. Ethiopians seem very determined to build this dam as it will remind them of the late prime minster Zenawi, whose regime started this project. On the other hand, the economy of Egypt might be negatively influenced if this project takes away a substantial amount of water. Well, both Ethiopia and Egypt should get benefits by sharing the Nile River. But the biggest question is HOW. Let us hope that this project will not trigger any conflict between these densely populated African countries. 

GP: Zim PM's Poll Blasted

Guest Post: Chief from Zimbabwe

The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai has been blasted for using his website to poll a question asking whether or not they wanted sanctions in Zimbabwe to be lifted. The survey results came out with 59.7% (just over 4000 people whose citizenry is unknown) of the vote in favor of sanctions being continued. This goes against the work of the Global Political Agreement which is a document that was signed in order to quell Zimbabwe’s crumbling political and economic situation which clearly opposed sanctions. Several leaders of civic groups, churches, as well as opposition leaders have spoken against his action which has been described to be agains the interests of the country.

Morgan Tsvangirai

Random Chief Thoughts: It is my belief that the results of this poll, or even the survey itself should not be taken seriously or thought of as the Prime Minister's evil plot against the country. To begin with, the Prime Minister himself has participated in talks of reengagement with the United Kingdom to ensure that sanctions will be removed. Currently, two banks have been removed from the sanctions list and if he really did not want sanctions to be removed, I doubt if those banks would be free as it is. Another thing to note is that elections will be coming up soon and if my assumptions are correct, Tsvangirai would be doing far more to ensure that his name has not been dragged in mud. Considering that major propaganda engines in the country have blamed sanctions for the ills of the nation, why on earth would he jeopardize the chance of an election victory? That would be political suicide, particularly when it comes to the rural vote. Lastly, I think there is also a great chance that this website has been hacked into in order to fulfill some other political agenda. Several reports have been made about several websites being hacked in the country. In such a hostile political climate, anything is possible.

GP: Human Rights Not Monitored in Western Sahara

Guest Post: Zineb from Morocco

Morocco: UN 'Misses Opportunity' to Allow Western Sahara Human Rights Monitoring

The mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) has recently been renewed. The mandate however still fails to encompass a human rights component.
A US suggestion to include a human rights monitoring mandate in the draft resolution under consideration by the Security Council was repressed after protests from the Moroccan government. The Moroccan authorities forcefully rejected the US's proposal to expand MINURSO's mandate, claiming it threatened Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Washington subsequently backtracked, and Security Council members agreed on a new resolution that failed to grant MINURSO the authority to monitor human rights abuses.



The UN Security Council's failure to add human rights monitoring to the mandate of its Western Sahara peacekeeping force - despite ongoing reports of abuses in the region - is a "missed opportunity", Amnesty International said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22189197

Random Zineb Thoughts: The Moroccan authorities constantly argue that they are taking initiatives to improve human rights in Western Sahara. They deny any form of abuses, and often complain that human rights organizations don’t visit the Tindouf camps. Their complaints against the monitoring of human rights are therefore very dubious and inconsistent. All it seems to say is that the Moroccan government has things to hide! Claiming a threat to the kingdom’s sovereignty seems to be a very unconvincing “excuse” to the international community, and ultimately deserves Morocco’s interests, as it gives it a more suspicious image and undermines its credibility. Morocco, which has frequently been accused of abuses against activists in the Western Sahara, would gain more from creating a climate of cooperation and openness than from dismissing such accusations.

Kenyan Victims of Colonial Abuse Get Recognition!

I am taking a pause from the guest posts to talk about something truly ground-breaking in Africa today. Unfortunately, like much of African History, what is ground-breaking in Africa today was decided in London.

The 1950s Mau Mau Uprising/Rebellion in Kenya was brutally squashed by the British Colonial Government, whose officers raped, beat and even castrated Mau Mau fighters. Kenya gained its independence from Britain in 1963, but the British government yesterday for the first time acknowledged that violence had been used to put down the early freedom-fighters.

Foreign Secretary William Hague (not to be confused in articles with the actual Hague) announced to Parliament yesterday that the British government will pay 5, 228 surviving Mau Mau victims of British prison camps each around 4000USD (total payments around 3million USD).

Credit for the pic to the Guardian newspaper

Random Kate Thoughts: While this seems like a pittance for experiencing such hardships, this move by the British government could set a precedent for legal retribution on behalf of many other former British colonies. This could result in a wave of legal cases, assuming the former colony's victims are as organized as the former Mau Mau.

Just recognizing that they *might* have not been the most awesome colonial rulers ever (as they have lied to themselves for over 100 years) is a pretty big step for the Brits. Although they still don't recognize fault in themselves, they are willing to take a step towards "reconciliation," which is certainly better than nothing.

Interestingly enough, try as I might, google only wants me to see British newspaper articles on this story. Where are you, Kenyan papers?? Today is a day for celebration!

GP: Free Laptops for Kenyan Children!

Guest Post: Kelvin from Kenya

Newly elected Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has promised free laptops to all pupils joining Standard One next year.  One can only imagine the glee and anticipation among Kenyan six year olds.The promise was made during the campaign period ahead of the general elections and was received with much criticism from education experts, teachers and stake-holders in the country who viewed the plan as too ambitious and a misplaced priority. The Teachers Union, for instance, insisted on the increase in the teacher-pupils ratio in Kenyan schools, seeing this as a more practical approach to improve quality of education in the country. Uhuru Kenyatta has also been blamed for being out of touch with rural schools in Kenya, where the literacy levels are incompetent when compared to the level of technology he intends to introduce to the education system. He was also blamed for not consulting education experts and stakeholders in the country prior to making the free laptop promise.

In his defense, Uhuru Kenyatta stated that while the plan is indeed ambitious, it serves as a necessary tool to meet the scale of what he terms as ‘our nations challenge’. One is left wondering what these challenges are that can only be met by giving free laptops to six year old children. Moreover, Uhuru hopes that given the co-operation of bodies involved in dispensing the free laptop plan, local laptop assemblies would be set to meet the demands for free laptops. A few points for an entrepreneurial mind-set here, at least some Kenyans will get jobs at the assemblies. In case you are already beginning to wonder, the laptops are solar powered. 

Random Kelvin thoughts: The free laptop promise reminds me of the famous Chinese Great Leap forward economic plan. As history has it, the great leap forward was a fail that left China worse off than before the plan was implemented. I predict the same for the free laptop plan. My apologies to the Standard One class of 2014. First of all, the plan transcends beyond being too ambitious. The plan is unrealistic. Second, Kenyan primary schools face far weightier problems than technology. Limited books, limited spaces in the relatively few public primary schools (compared to the number of pupils wishing to enroll in Standard One annually), few teachers, poor facilities, and the list goes on. Free laptops will not solve these problems, let alone improve the quality of education. Taking rural primary schools into perspective, there is lots that can go wrong with this plan. The literacy levels are really poor owing to the very poor pre-school foundation rural children receive – those attending government pre-school programs. As the Teachers union put it, the literacy levels of the teachers themselves would not allow for the successful integration of laptops into the curriculum.  Addressing such conditions such as poor instructor literacy levels, limited school resources and infrastructure to strengthen the quality of education prior to introducing technology would seem as a plausible and more sustainable approach, but not to Uhuru Kenyatta. I shudder thinking of the plan’s cost, given the financial burden the new government has inherited. If the point of the promise is to wow the hearts of six year olds, then I would find not fault in the plan, and would be happy for the little angels. But if the plan is to improve education quality, then a change in strategy is needed. To close, I am a bit skeptical that ‘’our nations challenges’’ as Uhuru Kenyatta put it, as complex as they are, can be won by giving solar powered laptops to Standard One pupils. While technology would spark more interest in education and enhance interaction, it is not, at this moment, a necessity.

GP: Zimbabwean Filmmaker at Oscars

Guest Post: Alexia from Zimbabwe

Tatenda Mbudzi always had a passion for film making and the media. Currently a student at UCLA’s competitive Producer’s program, he was inspired to change Zimbabwe's media industry because of how much he missed cartoons when his family moved back after having lived 10 years in the U.K. He is currently on a scholarship for young people who want to work in children’s media. His big idea is to bring cartoon folktales to TV screens in Zimbabwe. The cartoon he is working on is called Tsuro naGudo and is about Tsura, a witty rabbit, who outsmarts the other character named Gudo. Mbudzi grew up listening to these tales from his grandmother and wants to take them to the next level by making them visual in film media.

Tatenda Mbudzi

Tatenda Mbudzi was afforded the chance to present an Academy Award by submitting a video in which he detailed how he was going to contribute to the future of the film industry, as well as an essay. He is one of the six fortunate winners of the competition and thus was able to rub shoulders with the elite of the film making world, including actors and producers, for a week. The competition came about when the organisers of the Oscars found that the idea of having the usual female models bring in the awards was sexist and could be better utilised by awarding young filmmakers the chance to be part of the industry they are working towards.

Random Alexia thoughts: I am so proud of this young man for wanting to tackle Zimbabwe’s current entertainment issue, as, growing up there, I watched it deteriorate to the point where there are hardly any cartoons shown, and the few that are available are re-runs from the past decade or so. It is going to be a hard task for him though, as the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation is mainly government run and is largely a propaganda tool. The good news is Zimbabweans are likely to be ecstatic about the changes he wants to bring and may welcome him with open arms because they are tired of the way public television is run. It was inspiring to read his story and to relate to elements such as Tsuro naGudo, which are stories the average Zimbabwean child grows up with, and seeing how he draws creativity from them, as I had never actually thought of them in that way before. I can’t wait to see what Tatenda Mbudzi is going to contribute to Zimbabwe, but I bet his is going to be an interesting and worthy journey to watch.

GP: Karim Wade's Incarceration Protested

Guest Post: Anna from Senegal
 
Karim Wade, son of former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade, was imprisoned last month on charges of corruption. The authorities reported finding $1 billion in his account which were not accounted for. 

Many Senegalese were quite happy hearing this news. It seemed to be a proof of Macky Sall, the new president, actively fighting back corruption and trying to erase the last traces of his predecessors' mistakes.  However, not everyone was happy. Soon after the arrest, the capital city of Dakar saw a protest where 2,500 people took to the streets to contest Karim Wade's imprisonment. This crowd was united under the umbrella of the former ruling party, the Senegalese Democratic Party. Many of the protestors were Ministers of the former government who themselves are under suspicion for corruption. 

Karim Wade, 44, son of Abdoulaye Wade, former President

Random Anna Thoughts: I doubt the legitimacy of this protest. First, I do not really know how effective it is to protest against someone's arrest, especially when there is evidence against that person. Second, the people involved in the protest are less than trustworthy individuals. And one cannot help but wonder about their motives for this protest. It seems they are trying to protect themselves in the process. 

GP: Tanzanian Artist Funeral

Guest Post: Sherryen from Tanzania Hundreds turn up to commemorate Kanumba, a ground breaking Tanzanian artist Steven Charles Kanumba was a Tanzanian actor and director who died on 7th April 2012 at the age of 28. 20,000 people attended his funeral. He was described as "Tanzania's most popular film star" and appeared in Nollywood (Nigerian) films.                           the late Steven Charles Kanumba On the 7th of April, hundreds of film artists and fans marked one year since film star Steven Kanumba died, sadly stating that his gap has not yet been filled in the Tanzania film industry. The commemoration involved a short church service followed by a small reception at Kanumba’s house which was then followed by the launching of Kanumba’s last movie “Love and Power,” which had not been released when Kanumba passed away. The memorial ceremony was attended by guests from different parts of the world including the US, Ghana and Nigeria. The ceremony was also attended by actress Elizabeth Michael, known as Lulu, who has been charged with Kanumba’s death. Bongo Movies actress Elizabeth Michael lays a wreath on Kanumba's tomb during the commemoration Kanumba’s international manager, Prince Richard Miami, told The Citizen that the Tanzanian movie industry had lost an important figure who could propel movies to a global status. According to him, Kanumba left big shoes that no Bongo movie artist has even tried to wear. He also said “Bongo movies is the second largest industry after Nollywood, Bongo movies have at least 200 million viewers. Bongo movies have a better quality of picture than Nollywood.” (This statement is Kudos to Tanzania over Nigeria!) Kanumba’s manager said: “Moreover, Bongo movies need trans- African partnership, something that our brother Kanumba did when he crossed borders to Nigeria, US and Europe." Kanumba’s mother Flora Mutego thanked his son’s fans for attending at the memorial ceremony. She said their huge attendance meant that Tanzanians valued her son’s works.

Sherryen’s Random Thoughts:

I am very impressed by the attachment that Tanzanians and other Bongo movie fans have kept with Steven Kanumba. It means a lot to know that my fellow Tanzanians appreciated a movie actor like any other artist, like a painter. This proves that Tanzania is growing not only as a country but its people’s points of view are changing and that is essential for prosperity in terms of artistic works and careers in that line of work. The fact that Elizabeth Michael was allowed to attend the commemoration of Kanumba even after she was accused for his death has made me appreciate my home country, its people, and their power of forgiveness. I believe that the ability to forgive and forget will set everyone free to pursue our paths. I also hope that the remaining Tanzanian artistes take the controls of the movie industry ship in Tanzania and sail it to success. I hope they continue the work that Kanumba has done so far and that Tanzania will continue to grow and excel in the movie industry.