Reinventing Africa

Shots vs Totes

2010-03-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

Remind me to never order a shot at the bar! NEVER EVER AGAIN!

So last night, while having a few drinks with my new friends from Bor, Sudan, they explained to me why it was important that I request a “tote” of liquor at the bar, as opposed to a “shot”.

As I’ve already said, there are a lot of Ugandans and Kenyans in south Sudan. Most of them came about two years ago when the region began rebuilding and there was a great deal of business opportunities. You can come across Kenyans or Ugandans working in restaurants that mainly cater to foreigners. They are mechanics, drivers, hair dressers, selling produce in the markets. You name it, they’re there.
Unfortunately, many Kenyan and Ugandan women have also taken on some of the “older professions” in our society. Prostitution here is as common as anywhere and apparently in order to be more “tactful” or less forthright about their “services” some women would approach men or vice versa and ask if they’d like a “short time” or how much it would cost for a “short time”. As with most slang terms, “short time” was soon shortened to “short” for short.

So when I approached the bar and asked for a “shot”, I was a bit confused when the bartender looked at me questioningly and proposed 35 Sudanese Pounds (SDP)- roughly $18. Things around here are quite expensive, but $18 for a shot is just ridiculous! So I asked him again, pointing at my rum of choice. (I had bought a liter of mango juice for breakfast it and it was delish and would pair perfectly with a shot of rum as a night cap.) Though a bit confused at my gesture, he repeated 35 SDP again and opened his hands as if to say he didn’t have anymore than that.

At this point, I was becoming slightly annoyed because I refused to believe it cost that much. So I asked him if “Grande” was the only type of rum he had and if there were any that were any cheaper. At that question he said, “Ohhhh, the rum? A tote of that is 7SDP (roughly $4).” And then hurriedly gave me my order.

It wasn’t until later in the night that I found out that the whole time, the bartender thought I was a Kenyan prostitute! I’m glad that we cleared that up before I retreated back to my room, however, I’m still a bit offended that he only offered me 35 SDP…surely I’m worth more than that!

Bor is not so "Bor"-ing

2010-03-11T15:03:00.000-05:00

I am in Bor now and I like it a lot better than I did Juba! It really proves how important it is to keep cities clean! Bor may have a few less concrete buildings, turn abouts, and no paved roads, but it’s clean! Dust and all!

The other thing I have thoroughly enjoyed about Bor is the overwhelming hospitality that I’ve experienced. I am sure that the town doesn’t get too many out of town visitors, but they sure do know how to treat them when they come. Due to a bit of “miscommunication”, we had no where to stay once we arrived, but a new friend at the World Food Program pulled some strings and got my colleague and I nice rooms at the Freedom Hotel. (As someone else pointed out, the Freedom Hotel and the Liberty Hotel are both clear odes to the impending referendum in Sudan).

The Freedom Hotel is a great hotel with wonderful staff. I also got my first fully authentic Sudanese meal and I loved every bit of it. I’m not sure what they called everything, but in a nutshell is was fufu and okra prepared differently. But it tasted almost as good as my mother’s and I was very happy and satisfied! Another night, I also had some beans that were absolutely delicious and didn’t enter into combat with my bowels.

My other new friend, the hotel manager, said that the next time I come he’d have pizza and ice cream and I begged him to reconsider… Hopefully he realizes that I’m very serious! Dinners here have been one of the highlights of my trip!

My Little Plastic Container

2010-03-10T21:55:00.002-05:00

A lot of you have asked about my lodging in Sudan- with good reason!

Here are a few pics of my "little plastic container" in Juba. It actually reminds me more of a trailer.

Here are shots that I stole from their website.

And these I took of the inside myself.

Runny Eggs- YUCK!

2010-03-09T16:14:00.001-05:00

It seems like every post is about food. Sorry, but it’s one of the main things that I look forward to when I travel. I love trying different foods and learning new ways of preparing things. I’ve realized that with many African, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures, we use all of the same ingredients, just prepared differently.

The place we’re staying at in Juba, tries it’s darndest to cater to the varied pallets of each of its guests. I haven’t really spoken to anyone else who is staying at my hotel, but I can tell that they’re from all over the world by their style of dress, language, and accents. Unfortunately, my hotel is trying a bit too hard and the food is disgusting. It’s as if the cook has tried to hard to learn how to cook an item from everywhere, that they haven’t mastered anything. Would you rather get straight Cs or two As and a bunch of Ds? I personally like As…

So despite their being curried chicken, goat stew, ugali and fresh vegetables, fried rice, and pastas with all types of sauce- it’s all gross.

This morning when I actually work up and got ready leaving enough time for breakfast, I was ecstatic to see that there was an omelet bar. It took me back to my college days. When I ordered my eggs, I specifically told the cook that I wanted them fried hard because that previous week, I had been given runny eggs in Nairobi and had to send them back when I realized that they were runny. But of course, despite my clear request, what I was I given, runny eggs! YUCK!

I gave them back to the chef and while he was refrying them, I asked him why he insisted on giving me runny eggs. (Some of you may know how inquisitive and slightly confrontational I can be). He proceeded to tell me that since most of their guests are White Europeans, they tend to runny eggs. Well, I’m clearly not White, so why give them to me even when I requested they be friend hard? And he said that that’s just how they’re trained to do it. Huh?!?!?

Long story, not so short, it seems as though in an effort to please everyone or assumably please everyone, tings are actually made worse… and taste as gross as runny eggs. Sorry if I offended any of you runny egg lovers.

I Was Raised AFRICAN

2010-03-08T20:35:00.002-05:00

I think what many people fail to realize about me, is that I was raised African, Cameroonian to be exact. I grew up eating plantain and eggs for breakfast, jellof rice and roasted chicken for lunch, and fufu or gari with okra for dinner. I crave oko obong, eru, achu, ekwang, egussi pudding, koki corn, and nkwi. At 20+ years, I have no qualms about begging my mother to cook for me, because it tastes so much better when she prepares it. As a child, puff puff, chin chin, and coconut sweet were given to me as treats. As I child, I also hated the smell of miondo, but now I love it so much, that I buy bundles of it each time I go home, freeze it and devour it for months!
So when I tell you that I want African food and you tell me that I’ll get “enough of it later”, you are either punishing me or insulting a part of me. For the sake of peace, I’ll just ignore you while I go looking for roasted corn on the side of the road.

Is this really going to be the capital city?

2010-03-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

Today, I flew to Juba, the capital of the southern part of Sudan. In a nutshell… this is not Nairobi… and sadly not even comparable with Bangui….
Some may think Im being a bit extreme based on the way I described Bangui, but after all is said and done, the government of the Central African Republic was very centralized, so Bangui was "La Coquette" in relation to the rest of the country. I am optimistically hoping that since southern Sudan operates under a federal system with distinct states, the conditions in Juba won’t be reflective of those throughout the south, but then again, it is supposed to be the capital of the south… I’m very concerned.

Expat Lifestyle Might Don’t Make It…

2010-03-07T08:23:00.001-05:00

During the last few days in Nairobi it has become painfully clear to me that if I decide to live in any city for an extended period of time, I absolutely can not live the “expatriate lifestyle”. Almost every part of every day has felt manufactured and surreal. Hamburgers, hummus and pita bread, cinnamon rolls, and a whole bunch of other crap that was obviously imported and that I would almost never touch at home. So why am I eating it here?!?!? Why is it “so difficult” to find a restaurant that prepares Kenyan food??? Though I will admit that during Havanna night, I thoroughly enjoyed the prawns and tostones! =)

But it is extremely frustrating when the wait staff is a caught off guard when I request Kenya tea or coffee and insist that I do not want Lipton, Tetley, or an Americano. I pay $2 every morning for Mayorga coffee, which is in my opinion the absolute best Kenyan coffee in DC and it doesn’t hurt that their “African” blend is a mixture of beans from Kenya, Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Uganda. But since I’ve been in Kenya, it’s been almost impossible to get “local” coffee! This doesn’t make sense…

Oh, but it does. While on my way to Java House, a popular spot in expat central, I asked my driver to recommend a good Kenyan restaurant for my last night in town. He immediately told me that I wouldn’t like Kenyan food, if I didn’t like meat. Who told him that I didn’t like meat?!?!? In his defense, this is what he assumed. I’m sure he’s come across quite a few vegetarians from abroad.

I hope that I’ll get the chance to visit again soon because don’t feel like I’ve experienced Kenya at all. I haven’t seen anything that distinguishes it from any other city in the world. But then again, I am off to Juba shortly, so I may be in store for quite a treat... be it good or bad...

Majority/Minority… Huh?

2010-03-06T10:28:00.001-05:00

I’m still a bit confused… Why do I, a black girl, feel like a minority in East Africa??? But on the other hand, I’ve been around so many Americans, that I kind of feel like Im in the majority, and haven’t even left DC.

The night at Havanna was fun, but as I said, made me feel like I never left home in so many ways. Oddly enough, the bathroom was one of the most alarming points. As I was waiting in line for the bathroom (because it makes sense to have only one ladies’ stall in a restaurant/bar with over 100 people drinking profusely), I couldn’t help but notice that everyone sounded just like me! My “American” accent didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. But what was most odd, was that no one was surprised that I was American. Usually when I travel, I’m used to people being taken aback once I start speaking because they assume that I am a local. Nope, not here.

Nairobi Nights

2010-03-05T11:30:00.004-05:00

Apparently, in Nairobi’s expat community, the weekend starts on Thursday night. I could have sworn that I was telecast to Marshall Street or College Park or Adams Morgan (or any other college town for those of you who are unfamiliar with those locales). My colleague and I went to a Cuban restaurant for dinner and drinks for her friend. When we walked in, the scene was quite overwhelming. The bar was packed and people were literally hovering over each other talking, drinking, and having a good time. I was actually taken aback because I wasn’t expecting any of this- at all. I don’t know if it’s because it was only my second night in the cit or the clientele, which I wasn’t expecting, but it was all a lot to take in, especially at once. Luckily, we were able to retreat to the back of the restaurant and found a table in the corner, where the scene was a bit less “overwhelming”.

The food was DELICIOUS! It was Cuban and I had prawns with tostones (fried green plaintains). I thoroughly enjoyed my meal along with a bottle of wine and great conversation. I almost forgot where I was until it was time to leave our little nook in the corner of the restaurant.

Walking back out and through the bar centered party that had literally tripled in size was quite an experience. In addition to the young professional expats who were by this time fairly drunk, some Kenyan prostitutes joined the party. Under normal circumstances, I would have been a tad bit self-conscious that someone might mistaken me for a prostitute, but luckily I was fully dressed. Them, not so much… But they were having a great time, gyrating against smitten European men, while onlookers got sneak peaks of their “goodies”.

As I meandered through the crowd, one decided to greet me with a head butt to the forehead. For a split second I wondered if she thought I had encroached into her territory and was fighting me for her “track”, but then she profusely apologized and I acknowledged that she was drunk and in an effort to impress her potential john, she exaggerated her laugh, throwing her head back and right into my forehead. Great.
But I was able to escape and without any knots on my head in the morning.

Rediscovering My Youth- Africa’s Infatuation with 90s Music

2010-03-04T17:57:00.000-05:00

I’ve noticed that many Africans (I hate to generalize the whole continent, but it’s true) have a deep appreciation of 90s RnB and Contemporary Pop music. And I love every minute of it!!! Today while doing work in a local coffee shop, my colleague and I were crooned to the sounds of Boyz to Men, Brandy’s entire Full Moon album, Aaliyah, and I almost jumped for joy when Shania Twain and Celine Dione came on. She thinks that I am completely cheesy for enjoying it so much, especially Celine Dione- my colleague is also Canadian, but I can’t help myself! There’s something about hearing “Water Runs Dry”, “Full Moon”, “At Your Best You Are Loved”, “From This Moment”, and “It’s All Coming Back to Me” consecutively that just soothes my soul!
Some of the best music was put out in the 90s and I wish there were public radio stations that were dedicated to it. It was probably the last period in music where I appreciated music from every genre. Aerosmith, Tanya Tucker, Alanis Morrisette, Nirvana, Greenday, Hanson, Total, LL Cool J, Jodeci, Wu Tang Clan, Brandy, Whitney Houston, and of course Mariah Carey- you name it, I liked it! And they play it allll here!

What a Calm Airport

2010-03-03T17:52:00.002-05:00

I've arrived in Nairobi!!! And is it odd that the thing that has struck/pleased me the most is the fact that this is one of the calmest airports I've ever arrived in???
No one harassed me about my yellow fever card, no one rifled through my luggage, no one even asked for bribes (major!). The most annoying part of my arrival were the tourists who stood in the line for those who already had visas, even though they had to purchase theirs. This tacked an extra half hour to my wait time, but it was okay because everything else was stress free! My colleague and our driver were even waiting for me when I walked out sans harrassment!!!

For a recap of a not so "stress free" and more "authentic" experience, read here and here.

Loooong Overdue

2010-02-25T16:41:00.000-05:00

I haven't updated my blog in almost exactly a year. This is completely unacceptable. Soon I am leaving for a trip to Sudan via Nairobi where I assume I'll rejuvenate my muse.

Poverty Kills

2009-02-02T15:04:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, over 100 people and counting were killed and another 200 plus severely injured when a gas tanker overturned and civilians rushed to siphon gas from the truck. To their dismay, the truck cut on fire, causing a fatal catastrophe.

It's difficult to understand why anyone in their right mind would run towards an overturned gas truck, but hundreds of people could only think of the benefits of free fuel and put their lives on the line. Sadly, the outcome was a great loss of life.

This morning I almost came to tears looking at images of people sprawled out on the floors of Kenyan hospitals, which could not absorb the number of people with life threatening burns and injuries.

I remember when the same thing happened in Cameroon and in Nigeria. Though high, the casualties were less than in this instance and you have to wonder at which point will people learn that fuel to last a few weeks is not worth the rest of your lives! But poverty kills in so many ways....

BREAKING NEWS: Documented Human Rights Abuse in Cameroon

2009-01-30T11:09:00.009-05:00

Yesterday, Amnesty International released a report (Cameroon: Impunity Underpins Persistent Abuse) asserting that Cameroon has used violent means to suppress anti-government protesters and cited large-scale protests against the constitutional amendment extending the presidents term of office as an example of wide spread human rights abuse.

Please note that my blog title is extremely sarcastic in the sense that Cameroonians have suffered from human rights abuse as long as President Paul Biya has been in power. Besides the fact that he is a dictator and has used corruption to eliminate any possibility for democracy, police officers shameless harass citizens on a daily basis and government abuse and corruption has become second nature and expected by most citizens. Biya has even shut down tv and radio stations that criticize him and expose his abuse of civilians.

I am happy, however, that Amnesty International has finally brought attention to what has been happening in Cameroon for decades and incidents that took place in February 2008 when President Biya amended the constitution, extending his presidential term limit. I remember when this happened my mother had planned to visit Cameroon that month, but she had to postpone her trip because major cities across the country were extremely chaotic. For days there were protests and rioting. Cars and business were looted and burned and the police killed over 100 civilians.

All of this went virtually ignored by the international press and President Biya has not been aggressively criticized by international leaders for his blatant abuse of power.

Biya will be 76 in two weeks and this is his 27th year in power. He has successfully stolen multiple elections. His amendment of the consitution to remove term limits will allow him to run again in 2011 for another 7 year term.

I won't go into the hypocrisy that the international community has shown throughout President Biya's regime, but I am happy that finally the violence that took place last February is being acknowledged by a group large enough to bring attention to and possibly discourage such rampant human rights abuse in Cameroon. What is even more despicable, as you should read in Amnesty's report is that they have been trying to legally research the incidents that have been reported to them in Cameroon, but the authorities will not give them consent! One can only hope that this report will shame the regime and authorities and they will put an end to this protracted abuses, especially with elections being held in the near future.

Obama Girl!

2008-12-14T12:12:00.000-05:00

I knew before traveling that there’d be a great deal of Obamania on this side of the hemisphere considering how closely the elections were followed around the world and media images and stories I’ve seen from African news outlets. I expected lots of questions about the elections and what I thought Obama would do for Africa. However, I haven’t really gotten much of that, but since arriving in Cameroon, my colleague and I are being constantly referred to as “Obama girls”. Luckily it’s an endearing term because I love Obama. I couldn’t imagine if I was referred to as a “Bush girl”. YUCK! It has so many negative connotations.
But the funniest part about being an “Obama Girl” in Cameroon is that most people consider the two of us “Black American” because we are here representing a US based organization. It’s a bit odd for me to be referred as such because I consider myself Cameroonian American, but it is even odder for my colleague who was born and raised in Cameroon! And it gets even funnier when we meet expats who try to educate us on the ways of Cameroon.
However, I credit this to the diversity of Cameroon. For instance, there are certain countries in the world where their citizens are easily identifiable by their features. But Cameroonians throughout the country look completely different. Im sure it has a lot to do with its central location on the continent, but I also think it has a great deal to do with the open door system of the land and its people. During this trip, I’ve witnessed how easily people flow in and out of the country. I’m sure this is an issue of border control, but its also influenced by how welcoming the people are. Right now I am traveling throughout towns bordering the Central African Republic. You can see CAR from here and Central Africans are constantly crossing the border. Below are pictures of Central Africans crossing a small river into Cameroon.

The City is POPPIN

2008-12-10T22:42:00.000-05:00

It feels so odd to be back in such a lively environment considering how relatively isolated I spent the last week and a half. CAR was completely desolate and the streets were usually empty by 9pm each night. But in Yaounde, I can barely sleep because people are outside my window singing, dancing, and talking loudly in the streets until all times of the night. There’s definitely a deejay on my block spinning hits from the last three decades. And it’s great (as long as I can fall asleep at a decent hour!).
Yaounde has definitely changed quite a bit since I was here. I don’t remember it being so New Yorkish, but it’s a great feeling. I can see myself living here if I’m given the right job with the right salary. I think it’s a great combination of the modernity Ive become accustomed to and the warm weather, great food, and sense of a familial community that I seek.
It’s also great to have options of food to eat. I hate to continue to compare the two, but my diet was quite static in CAR. I’ve already told you about our adventure trying to find dinner in the North, but even in Bangui there were very few choices. Choices were very limited because of security in the town. Though there is no fighting or rebel occupation like in other places, because the streets empty out by 9, its mostly people who are up to no good who are out during dinner hours. So during one of our first few nights, my colleague and I were harassed by a few street kids who were clearly high off drugs and it wasn’t a comfortable feeling. Also, everyone kept recommending to us the spots that expats frequent and they were usually not local restaurants. I did not come all the way to Central Africa to eat Chinese, but I was forced to on one night. Though I will say it’s the best Chinese food I’ve ever had! But Yaounde has been completely different, besides the plethora of street vendors, there’s a million restaurants on every block with absolutely delicious food and a varied selection. I’m definitely happy to be back in Cameroon.
Tomorrow I will be traveling to Bertoua, which is the capital of the Eastern region. The East is historically one of the poorest regions in the country and I am told that it is nothing like Yaounde or Douala. However, considering what I witnessed in CAR, I’m sure it will still be an upgrade!

Au Revoir Bangui

2008-12-09T07:38:00.000-05:00

Today I’m on my way back to Douala and then I’ll head out to Yaounde the following morning. This leg of the mission has ended on a good note. We got a lot of new information about the humanitarian situation and I was glad to visit the Central African Republic. Unfortunately, I don’t have much good to share about the country. I really hoped that stories I’d heard were exaggerations, but they weren’t. This is a chronically underdeveloped failed state. The government concentrates itself on Bangui (the capital) and completely neglects the rest of the country. And I’m not even sure what they’ve done in Bangui because it’s the most bare and basic capital city I’ve ever visited.
The country is land locked, road locked, and as a result access locked. It is virtually impossible to travel freely throughout the country despite the security situation. The presence of rebels and bandits only further exacerbates the situation, but roads connecting major cities are not paved, there is virtually no policing, and there are no ports of entry. It’s a truly sad situation and there needs to be an overhaul in the regime in order to start addressing the needs of the people and the country.
On a more exciting note, when I thought traveling through rebel territory was frightening enough, my colleague and I decided to stop and talking to a group of rebels on our way back to Bangui. I was a nervous wreck because they all had rifles (old, but they still worked!) and they looked RUGGED! They called the commander of their unit out of his hiding place to speak with us and he was scary looking. He looked like he had been living in the bush for months, but I am almost positive he was simply living off the villagers. He had locked hair that was extremely dirty and was just scruffy. We spoke to him and second in command and though they wouldn’t go into details about their cause because they have an official spokesperson, one said he wanted peace while the other said he wanted power. Considering the fact that the peace dialogues between the government and rebel group begin on Monday, it may be a good idea for them to decide on an agenda…Unfortunately I did not take a picture of them. I was too scared to ask, but in the end it was a harmless encounter. A few of the rebels were peeking into our truck to see what we had, but it was more so curiosity because they didn’t touch anything or ask any questions. Even though I’m happy the rebels allowed us to travel through their occupied territory without disruption, its unfortunate that they often completely terrorize and loot the villages and communities they are supposedly fighting for.

What are two Cameroonians doing in CAR?

2008-12-08T09:36:00.000-05:00

This was the silly question asked of me and my colleague today by an expat who has lived throughout Africa for over 10 years.
The question should be what are the French, Americans, Canadians, Germans, British, etc. doing in CAR? And more importantly, what have the French done to CAR in over a century of occupation because this country is still chronically underdeveloped!
I find it ridiculous, though unsurprisingly that many people we meet are surprised that two Cameroonian women are conducting an assessment of the situation in CAR. Besides the fact that we were sent here by our organization, I don’t see why anyone should be surprised that Cameroonians are concerned about the humanitarian situation in a neighboring country, considering the conflict has directly affected Cameroon! I think that is an issue that needs to be dressed on so many levels. Too often we expect and wait for Western powers to come to our aid and as neighbors are not as concerned as we should be for our welfare. In fairness, the countries of Central Africa, have come together and formed a peacekeeping force for the Central African Republic. And many countries, including Cameroon and Chad, have opened their doors to refugees from the Central African Republic. This being said, we need to be as proactive as possible in helping one another solve problems within the continent, so that foreigners are not shocked that neighboring countries are interested enough in the wellbeing of their nation that they would conduct assessment missions in order to deduce the necessary level of response and fill gaps in coordination. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “If we don’t save ourselves, who will?”

Traffic Takes on New Meaning

2008-12-07T19:22:00.000-05:00

While riding down the roads in the northwestern part of CAR, I’ve felt like a celebrity. Children rush out of their homes when they hear the truck rumbling through the dusty, bumpy roads and drown you in a chorus of “Bonjours” and “Barraallahs”, the main greetings in CAR, while waving feverishly. It’s the cutest most joyous site ever and it never stops feeling good. Even four hours into the ride when it’s still happening.
As a person of African descent, I’m not used to this type of attention in rural settings. My white counterparts almost always get it because many times children in rural settings have seen very few and sometimes never seen a White person. But in a truck with two Blacks, two Central Africans and two Cameroonians (the neighboring) country, this type of rejoicing seems odd.
But then I thought about what these villages and children have been through. Consistently for the past two to three years, Central Africans in the Northwest have heard trucks roll through their villages only to be caught in the middle of government and rebel cross fighting and having their homes looted and burned in retaliation for “supporting” military factions that have taken control of their villages. For years the rumbling of trucks has been an ominous sign to gather your family and belongings as quickly as possible because trouble was coming.
But in the last year, the rumbling of trucks has taken on new meaning. As aid agencies have began to set up in CAR, their trucks brought assistance to these families in great need. What was once used as an alarm of intruders has now become a ring of hope for improving their living conditions.
So though it was apparent that in some villages, the citizens where still petrified of foreigners in trucks (especially those villages who were currently occupied by military factions), there were others that rejoiced at the site. It was especially powerful that the children recognized what the presence of aid agencies meant for them and sent their good blessings.

Week in Review

2008-12-05T22:21:00.000-05:00

I can’t believe I’ve only been away for one week! It hasn’t been a bad week, but very long. The long days everyday have all seemed to run into each other and it doesn’t feel like a weekend at all. Besides the fact that I’ll still be working, CAR doesn’t have much to offer on the social front. In the northern region it has gotten very dark by 6pm each night and even if I felt safe venturing out to find the nightlife, there isn’t one to be found. Even on the UN Compound in Paoua, where I stayed my first night in the north, everyone was in their rooms by 9pm. Expats have never had a problem partying and drinking in the midst of development and humanitarian crisis, but I think it’s different in CAR because the security situation here is so insecure that no one wants to take a chance and getting caught in the crossfire.
In Bocaranga, where I am now, things definitely seem livelier because this community seems to be doing much better, but many expats are just recently arriving to the community and don’t seem to have their social networks set up yet. And I would prefer to socialize with locals, but again considering the security situation, my American accent and inability to speak French fluently would make me a prime target for mischief.
When I was in Bangui, we went to a few restaurants and tried to stay out a bit later to enjoy the warm nights, but even though we were staying in a seemingly secure apartment/hotel there were tons of street children outside relentlessly asking for money and at one point our apartment guard even misbehaved.
But I will admit that ending the nights earlier have given me enough energy to get through my extremely long days and also enough time to go through all of the things I’ve seen and heard throughout the day. And, I’ve been consistently updating this blog, so that’s always a good thing!

Entering Rebel Controlled Territory

2008-12-05T12:28:00.000-05:00

Today was by far the most daring and dangerous day of my life! I remember a few years ago when I was shook over getting lost in the woods in Uganda, considering the civil war. Well in that case, I was no where near the area where the conflict had happened. But it was my first time in the country, in the woods, with no guide and a bunch of people who were as clueless as me about where to go. That hike has NOTHING on what I did today.
Right now there is a civil war in the Central African Republic (CAR) that has compounded the already destitute situation in the country. The main factors of the conflict are the government soldiers and a rebel group who does not want the current president (Bozize) in power because they are supporters of the previous president (Patasse), who the Bozize ousted. After a series of clashes for the past two going on three years, the two groups have taken control of different territories in the north. The situation is much more complicated than I am describing, but for the sake of understanding the basics of what I did today, I’ll leave it at that.
I’m sure you may be wondering how a group takes control of a territory in almost 2009. Well as I explained in a previous post, CAR is a very large country that is governed from the capital, in the deep south of the country. Due to the government’s low capacity, neglect, and downright indifference to the northern part of the country, rebels groups have been able to oust appointed state authorities (ie. mayors and other representatives) and take over complete control of provinces- authorizing the rule of law and even levying taxes. The government has sent forces to battle these groups and reclaim the land, which has led to several clashes within villages and thus the displacement of people.
Because the purpose of my trip is to assess the patterns of forced displacement, I have to go into these controlled areas and speak to villagers. And because CAR is severely lacking in infrastructure villages and towns are connected by single roads. Meaning everyone, citizens, humanitarians, rebels, and government forces all travel on the same road. Meaning if the government forces or rebels decide to battle that day one the road (which is where almost all of their battles occur) there is no way to escape it, except by running into the bush (which most displacement in this region has occurred).
So today, in order to find people who have been affected by conflict I ventured out into rebel territory. As daring and dangerous as this move was, it went quite well. Unlike other conflicts I’ve discussed on this blog, the main targets of this conflict are not civilians. Though civilians are affected because they are displaced due to fighting and often have their homes looted and burned in the crossfire, the rebel groups actually seek and fight government soldiers. For this reason, we were unable to drive through rebel controlled areas with ease. We slowed down each time we entered a village where they were posted, we greeted them and told them where we were going and then we continued. It was quite surprising. Though, I will say I was definitely uncomfortable seeing plain clothed males, some clearly as young as 15, holding rifles. I wish that they’d wear uniforms so that they could be more identifiable, but they are a rogue force and it is very apparent. And it was also apparent that in some communities the villagers were absolutely traumatized by their presence because they weren’t sure what violence they may bring in the form of looting or attracting other military factions. I couldn’t imagine living in a community that was controlled by a faction other than the state. It influences other groups to begin to force their own method of authority as well (which is being seen, but I will discuss in other post). All in all, it’s definitely the closed I’ve ever been to rebel forces and I’m happy things went well and I was given the opportunity to tell this story!

Je suis arrive au Paoua

2008-12-04T14:34:00.005-05:00

Today I flew to Paoua, in the Northwest part of CAR to conduct field visits of displaced people in the area. The trip here was much smoother than I thought it would be. I traveled on a small UN plane. I'm not sure what the capacity is, probably about 16 passengers, but there were only 8 of us. Considering how small the plane was, I slept the whole way. Could be because I havent been getting much sleep, but I didn't feel much turbulence at all and was knocked out before we even reached the highest level of elevation.

Once we entered the city, I was shocked that it was even considered a city or town... It is the most rural, country, and underdeveloped place I have visited in a loooong time. People still live in huts, the roads are not paved, there is no mobile phone service (which is unheard of for even the most underdeveloped communities!), and access to clean water, health care, and education are virtually non existent. It is quite disheartening that this region is referred to as an "urban center".

The people in this community have been through quite a lot. They've been displaced quite a few times due to political insecurity and through it all, have suffered from government neglect. Its a classic case of the failure of a centralized government, except Bangui, the capital of CAR, is in the deep south of such a massive and sparsely populated country, that the north doesn't seem to exist.

I'll have pics up in the coming days.

Je suis arrive au Bangui!

2008-11-30T12:45:00.001-05:00

After encountering the rudest air hostess I have ever met in my life, I am in Bangui. The flight itself was fine, though 2 hours late, but I encountered the most confusion ever in securing a flight. In a nutshell, we reserved our tickets from Douala to Bangui weeks before we left DC. After assuring my colleague and I a million times that a simple phone reservation without payment since they only accepted cash would be okay, we arrived at the airport office to pay for our tickets only to hear that there was no such reservation and the flight was sold out…
Unfortunately, the airline office manager encountered the most aggressive people she would ever encounter in her life and had to find a way to get us on that plane because we weren’t leaving that office without a ticket. Let me preface the rest of this story by explaining that you can only fly in Bangui from Douala on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Therefore, if we did not get on this flight, it would throw off our whole itinerary and we’d be stuck in Douala with nothing substantial to do.
Somehow, the office manager found us a ticket on a completely booked flight, but suggested that even though the flight was scheduled to leave at 3:45pm and check in didn’t start until 1pm, we should be in line before noon… We had a host of other errands to run that morning, but arrived the airport by 12:30 and stood in line behind 10 other people, who had seemingly received the same advice.
After a series of other incidents which I will discuss in a later post, we both received our boarding passes, but there was no seat assignment. When we inquired further, we were told the plane had open seating. My colleague and I promptly changed into our sneakers! No, not really, but we knew that this was an indication that we just might have to summon our inner track stars.
But all in all we got on the plane and secured our seats. We watched the rudest air hostess I’ve ever seen blatantly curse out a passenger for about five minutes and threaten to kick him off the plane mid flight. I’m not sure what he said to her to deserve such a verbal tongue lashing, but you better believe I was all “please and thank yous” for the rest of the flight!
Once we arrived in Bangui airport, there was another long wait for baggage, but our fixer and driver were already there waiting for us, which made me feel very comfortable. Because once we left the airport, the city was a cloud of darkness. Pitch black to the point that I was forced to use my phone as a flashlight. In the following days I will tell you more about Bangui. I haven’t witnessed the extreme poverty that reports and my colleagues have described. Right now I am staying in a very nice apartment/hotel with wireless internet. And I have only visited places that are frequented by expats and high level officials and lucrative business men. But I am sure once I venture out into the North it will be quite a different story.

Je suis arrive au Doula!

2008-11-29T12:23:00.000-05:00

Once I arrived, I was reminded of the Douala humidity. In Washington, DC we complain of the high level of humidity during the summertime, but it does not compare to Douala humidity. By the time I walked the long stretch to the baggage check, my hair has shriveled into an afro and I felt dehydrated. It didn’t help that the baggage claim area was crowded with people who had gotten off the plane as well as family and friends there to meet them, and porters soliciting baggage service. And did I mention that beyond the humidity and well above 80 degree weather there was no air conditioning in the airport…

Nonetheless, after an hour wait, both of my bags arrived in tact and I went out to meet my brother and his girlfriend. It was a great relief to see them there and I was happy to have completed this long leg of my journey.

That night we had a delicious dinner of roasted fish, plantains, fries, and meondo. It was the best way to start of my trip, especially since I had to leave on Thanksgiving morning.

The city has changed for the better since I was last here. For one, it is no longer as polluted as it once was. I remember in 2005, my skin broke out in a rash almost immediately when I washed my face with the water and I could barely breathe in the city because of the pollution from cars and burning trash. But so far is has been quite different. Besides the fact that the city is much cleaner than it used to be, the air and water seem to be as well.

Now, I’m off to Bangui, Central Africa Republic!

You Can Find Me in the "A"

2008-11-27T12:18:00.000-05:00

It’s been over a year since I’ve been in the “A”, over 3 years since I’ve been back to Cameroon, and my first time in the Central African Republic. Needless to say, I’m a ball of excitement as well as anxious and nervous about what to expect.
This will be my first time in Cameroon without my mother. It will give me a chance to get closer with my brother, but because they’re as I’ve coined them “family strangers”, I don’t know what my interactions will be like with them, without my mother. But in due time I will see.
As for the Central African Republic, I’ve yet to read anything good about the country. They fall in the bottom 5th percentile in almost every category of the development index- education, infrastructure, health, etc. I’ve been told by those that have lived and visited there that I have nothing to look forward to. Thus, this will be a very interesting trip considering I’ve been encouraging foreigners and pessimists to discover the overlooked beauty and potential in Africa. But perhaps if I ignore the overwhelmingly negative outlook surrounding the country and approach it with positivity, I will still be able to discover the beauty in a country so large and filled with so many natural resources.

YES WE CAN!!!

2008-11-06T14:04:00.005-05:00

On November 4, 2008 Barack Obama became the first African-American president of the United States.

It was a very emotionally charged accomplishment with celebrations taking place all over the world- most notably in Obama's father's hometown of Kogelo, Kenya.

However, beyond the historical implications of this feat the world has so much to learn. For centuries Africans have been underestimated as a people and we have admittedly underestimated ourselves. Obama has not only shown young Black people in America and the Western world what they can some day be, but he has proven to the whole diaspora what we can strive to one day become as leaders of ourselves and the free world.

An editorial in Kampala, Uganda's New Vision newspaper summed up my sentiments exactly. Africa should use this excitement as an impetus for democratic reform and realize not what Obama can do for Africa, but what Africa can do for itself in cooperation with the US due to an Obama administration (a sentiment encouragingly echoed by President Kagame).

Yes we can!

EDITORIAL
5 November 2008
Posted to the web 6 November 2008

Kampala

History was yesterday made when Senator Barack Obama swept the polls to become the first African American president since the birth of the USA more than two centuries ago.

Obama's victory sealed his catch phrase: "Yes, we can," and demonstrates how determination and high level of organisation can deliver effective results against all odds. The Developing World and Africa in particular, has a lot to learn from this.

First, they should stop blaming their woes on others, put their act together and come up with strategies to pull the continent from backwardness. Yes, we can.

Secondly, the economic and political systems in the Developing World should be geared towards empowering the masses to recognise and promote talents and ability rather than mere party loyalty.

Thirdly, John McCain's acceptance of defeat and promise to work with Obama demonstrates that race and intrigue has no place in the modern world and that losing an election should not result into sworn enmity.

Obama has become president of the most powerful country in the world at the time the US is experiencing the worst economic crisis in a century.

However, the big problems he has at home should not obscure his view of the rest of the world. In particular, positive policies towards the Developing World like the African Growth and Opportunities Act, the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief and the Millennium Challenge Corporation - whether put in place by the Republicans or not should continue.

As the world celebrates, the Developing World should not expect immediate windfalls from the Obama administration. Because the US is facing the worst economic down turn, it is very easy to forget the rest of the world, especially Africa.

The Developing World should therefore, continue pressing for fair trade policies. As President Yoweri Museveni has always said, it is trade and not aid that will pull Africa out of poverty. Yes, we can.

Neverending Ghosts of Colonialism

2008-10-28T03:05:00.000-04:00

The Namibian government and specifically the Herero group want Germany to return over 40 skulls of indigenous Namibians, that they've held for about a century. Between 1904 and 1908 Germany, who was Namibia's colonial ruler at that time, launched a little-known genocide against the Hereros for launching an uprising against their colonial rule. The Germans defeated the Herero by driving them deeper and deeper into the desert and poisoning their water sources. It is estimated that between 24000-65000 Herero died.

Germany was recently forced to apologize for the genocide after a book was released exposing and documenting what had been kept under wraps for over a century. However, though Germany has been forced to face the now public historical accounts of the actually genocide, they are still keeping the skulls of Herero people they captured on display in German Universities. The Nambian government continues to demand there return, but the universities are arguing that they are part of their cultural heritage.

Immediately you wonder why the Germans even have the skulls in their possession in the first place. During the war, a German doctor, Eugen Fischer, requested the skulls of the dead in order to prove that African had a lower intellectual capacity than their European counterparts. So I beg to ask if Germany is keeping these skulls on display as proof of Fischer's claim or to remind themselves of their participation and support of one of the most exploitative historical periods.
For years the Herero have requested reparations for the abuse the ancestors suffered- this has gone on deaf ears. Germany's rejection of returning their ancestors remains is yet another slap in the face to a community that like others not only suffered centuries of colonial abuse, but almost had their whole community exterminated.

Does this not remind us of Saartjie"Sarah" Baartman, the Khoi woman who was paraded around Europe for years while her voluptous "beastly" body was put on display?

At the point of her death, Saartjie had been physically and sexually abused. Her brain, vulva, anus, and skeleton was put on display in a French museum and her remains were not repatriated back to South Africa for almost two hundred years!

Germany, please end the cycle of exploitation and dehumanization of African people and return the remains of the Herero people. Allow their souls to rest in peace.

Prevent Youth from Sacrificing Themselves to the Seas

2008-10-10T04:37:00.000-04:00

It's no secret that high unemployment in many African countries has been a major factor in the massive migration of young people to Europe and the United States. Youth seek big jobs in big cities and many of those opportunities aren't available in their home countries. Unfortunately, this mass exodus has often resulted in very dangerous and often fatal trips through treacherous conditions in order to be smuggled across borders. In the last twenty years, more than 80,000 people have died trying to enter Europe by sea. Many migrants are lucky if they survive the journey and arrive at their destination, but there are still many who arrive only to face even harsher living conditions than they escaped in their home country, and still perish in vain.

In an attempt to curb the number of young Africans risking their lives to migrate abroad, the European Union has created an immigration center in Bamako, Mali. Its intention is not to be a recruitment center for Africans seeking employment, but rather a supportive and information center that will encourage migrants to move to Europe legally and educate them of the different types of vocational training that would be most useful in gaining them employment once they are able to migrate.

The establishment of the European immigration center is not the first effort to dissuade people from illegal and dangerous migration abroad. A Senegalese woman whose own son died while traveling by boat to the Canary Islands launched her own grassroots campaign a few years ago to educate those in her community about the dangers of small boat travel. She has seen her small fishing community transformed into a departure point for young West Africans traveling to Europe in small fishing boats.

The map below diagrams the path that travelers take throughout the various hubs and transfer points to make it to the northern and western shores of Africa and eventually Europe- usually by way of Spain or Italy.

One Spanish couple who was traumatized by the site of 37 dead Africans, killed by drowning while attempting to travel to Spain, decided to invest in Hansala, Morocco- the community that many of the dead migrants they found came from. They founded an NGO called Solidaridad Directa, that works to enable its citizens to build the capacity of Hansala and encouraged them to continue to develop their community rather than embarking on the often fatal migration to Spain.

Though the EU has sought an institutionalized solution to remedy this issue and many are launching grassroots campaigns to stop Africans from traversing the dangerous journey, it is impossible to ignore the disparities in this situation. Europe and Africa hold strong colonial ties that are still evident in European countries' (especially France) intervention during times political and economic strife on the continent. Europeans easily travel throughout Africa and often obtain their visas when they are entering the country. However, Africans are continually denied visas to Europe and thus their need to smuggle across borders in order to gain entry. Africans do not take boats because they are unable to pay airfare, many times these treacherous boat rides cost more than $1,000. They choose this method because that is their only hope of gaining entry into the country.

For centuries African nations have been exploited by Europe and continue to be. I believe that Africans need to set the same stipulations on entrance to their countries as Europe (and the US) has put on entering theirs. We can not continue to support such a lopsided relationship. We sadly even close our borders to our fellow Africans, but are quick to open them to foreign Europeans and Americans!

We need to work harder to create economic and social conditions within our countries that will dissuade young people from longing to fulfill their dreams abroad. Zebra Jobs, which I wrote about a few moths ago has launched their virtual job fair and I am impressed. It is now up to us to encourage our young people within the country and those that have migrated to to work in Africa and work towards building it rather than sacrificing their human potential to the seas.

Homophobia in Africa Harms Us in More Ways than We Realize

2008-10-07T02:56:00.000-04:00

In an age where globalization often blurs the line between cultures- Africans are steadfast in maintaining their traditions as it relates to family values. In the US and other Western societies public figures routinely "out" themselves and openly engage in same sex relationships.

However, most African communities vehemently oppose and even criminalize any form of homosexuality and openness often results in persecution and sometimes even death. This forces homosexuals to engage in high risk sexual relationships for fear of being exposed within their community. Many African countries are already battling high HIV/AIDS infection rates, this coupled with the increased level of transmission between men who have sex with men only further exacerbates an already strained situation.

The criminalization of homosexuality also poses a health problem for those that are already infected with HIV/AIDS. Many who are aware of their HIV/AIDS status are afraid to seek treatment for fear of being outted. Others are incarcerated for their sexual preference and die due to AIDS related infections due to lack of care while in prison. And some who are brave enough to seek care despite the repercussions are turned away from some health facilities because of the stigma associated with their sexuality.

In Uganda, during a global HIV/AIDS conference, gay rights activists staged a protest against the discrimination of homosexuals. As a result, the activists were arrested, tortured, and humiliated- an incident which has publicized by Human Rights Watch and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). However, the situation has been largely ignored by authorities because the Ugandan government promotes homophobia and homosexuals can be imprisoned for life.

As a result, Western countries that due not institutionally discriminate against homosexuals have found themselves in a precarious situation as it relates to African immigrants. In the UK, a campaign has been launched to prevent a Ugandan asylum seeker from being deported back on the basis of his fear of sexual persecution. And in the US, a Senegalese man was successfully granted asylum on the basis of his sexuality.

I can't help but feel that on both fronts, political resources should be better spent- like the protection of civilians from violent crimes, as opposed to moral ones. I do not believe that individuals should abandon their values, but in a time where the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS is impeding human development, I find it more beneficial for a society to increase their number of health and educational professionals, even if it means they be homosexuals as well. Africa cannot afford to continue to lose young lives, whether it be to death from infection, persecution, or because they simply flee to escape these ills. We do not have to completely lose ourselves within Western culture, but killing ourselves for the sake of tradition doesn't seem to be working either...

African Bourgeois Hypocrites

2008-09-28T10:17:00.001-04:00

An excerpt from Colonialism and the Two Publics in Africa: A Theoretical Statement by Peter P. Ekeh

A piece that was written in Jan 1975, but is still so relevant today!

African Bourgeois Ideologies of Legitimation

The colonial ideologies have had a major impact on Africans. The absence
of a strong traditional ethos, for instance in the form of a pan-African
religion, made Africans easy targets of these ideologies. But there was
considerable variation in the spread of their effects on Africans. The
Western educated African was a greater victim of their intensity than the
non-literate African. The acceptance of the colonial ideologies in many
ways led to the creation by the African bourgeois class of its own ideologies.
The purpose behind the colonial ideologies, wrought by colonial
administrators and missionaries, was to legitimate an alien domination
of Africans; African bourgeois ideologies were formed to achieve two
interrelated goals. First, they were intended to serve as weapons to be
used by the African bourgeois class for replacing the colonial rulers;
second, they were intended to serve as mechanisms for legitimating their
hold on their own people. Both types of ideologies were largely directed
at the African masses. However, in terms of timing, the first set was used
during colonialism and was an attack on alien rulers. I shall call this set
anti-colonial ideologies. The second set of ideologies is more directly
related to the issue of legitimation and is involved in post-colonial politics
in Africa. Its appearance coincided with the departure of the alien colonial
rulers. I shall call these post-colonial ideologies of legitimation.

(1) Anti-colonial Ideologies. What I call anti-colonial ideologies here
refer to the interest-begotten reasons and strategies of the Western
educated African bourgeoisie who sought to replace the colonial rulers.
Anti-colonialism did not in fact mean opposition to the perceived ideals and principles of Western institutions. On the contrary, a great deal of anti-colonialism was predicated on the manifest acceptance of these ideals and principles, accompanied by the insistence that conformity with them indicated a level of achievement that ought to earn the new educated
Africans the right to the leadership of their country. Ultimately, the source
of legitimacy for the new African leadership has become alien. Anticolonialism
was against alien colonial personnel but glaringly pro foreign
ideals and principles.

African high standards. In every post-colonial African nation, Western
educated Africans, that is the African bourgeoisie, have bent over backwards
to show that their standards of education and administration are
as good as those of their former colonizers. The point of reference in such
demonstrations is to prove that they are the 'equals', but never the
betters, of their former rulers. At least if they judge their standards of
education and administration not to be as high as those prevailing in the
capitals of the former colonizing nations, they rue the fact of their 'low'
standards and make attempts to raise them. Nowhere does one come across
the statement that the prevailing standards, say, in England are not high
enough or too high for the problems in, say, Nigeria. These 'high'
standards are invariably defined in terms of the prevailing, that is ordinary,
standards in the former colonizing nations.

This ideology of African high standards had its origin in the fight for
independence. Most African, leaders in the fight for independence boasted
to their followers that they were as qualified as the English or the French
colonizers; that their rule could be as 'democratic' as that in England or
France; that Africans could attain as high a degree of efficiency in
bureaucracy as that in Britain or France, etc. In his manner of speaking
the English language and of pronouncing English words, the Nigerian
'been-to',7 for instance, wants to demonstrate to the common man that
he is as good as an Englishman in the use of the English language.
There is logic to these over-zealous attempts by the African bourgeois
class to prove the equal, but never the better, of the former colonizers.
They are a message addressed to the masses that educated Africans have
attained the level of the colonizers and therefore can replace them permanently.
It is not required to prove oneself the better of the former
colonizers to do so, since their behaviors represented the very best in the
view of Africans.

Anyone who has studied in a leading university-at Berkeley, Harvard,
or Oxford-will have noticed that very little is ever said about high
standards. It is the less distinguished institutions that want to appear to
be as good as Berkeley, Stanford, or the Sorbonne. The same is true of
the African bourgeois class. In many ways they are at a considerable
disadvantage in attempting to do things as Englishmen in what Englishmen
do best: speaking the English language. To take the example of the
most successful non-Westerners in history, the Japanese do not strive to
speak English or French as well as an Englishman and an American or as
a Frenchman. They see themselves as different from them. The African
bourgeois, born out of the colonial experience, is very uncomfortable with
the idea of being different from his former colonizers in matters regarding
education, administration, or technology. One suspects that he is unconsciously
afraid that he may not be qualified to be an effective replacer
of the former colonizers. If he does reject an English model, he wants
to take an American model; but the point is still that he wants to validate
his replacement of the colonizers by accepting the standards of the
Americans who were after all potential colonizers in Africa.

The African Union Encourages the International Community to Focus on Neglected Crises

2008-09-23T21:05:00.005-04:00

Today President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania and AU Chairman, qualmed my fears about Mbeki's resignation affecting Zimbabwe's power sharing deal. During his speech at the UN General Assembly, he assured the international community that the AU is dedicated to the restabilization of Zimbabwe and would work towards that goal in addition to the challenges faced in other parts of Africa, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also used his time as a platform to advocate for the complete deployment of UN peacekeepers in Sudan and that UN forces relieve the "overstretched" African forces in Somalia- a conflict that has been virtually ignored by the western community and admittedly this blog (this will soon change).

Will Mbeki's Forced Resignation Delegitimize Zimbabwe's Power Sharing Deal?

2008-09-22T10:27:00.000-04:00

This weekend, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa was forced to resign amid charges that he interfered in rival, Jacob Zuma's corruption case. Besides the implications of this change in administration for South Africa, I can't help but wonder how this event will affect the Power Sharing Deal recently signed in Zimbabwe and brokered by Mbeki, an avid supporter of President Mugabe. The ANC has stated that Mbeki will be given the chance to continue operating as a mediator in Zimbabwe, but I can't help but wonder how Zimbabweans especially members of the opposition party will welcome his participation.

For the most part, criticism surrounding the deal has been largely pessimistic. And just days after the agreement was signed, there were reports that both parties were unsatisfied with the terms of the agreement and desired more substantial power. The MDC spokesperson even referred to the deal as a "false marriage". This is a clear indication of the need for more talks and resolutions, however with Mbeki facing his own slew of domestic issues, is he in the position to continue to mediate negotiations? And if so, will he have an even greater personal interest in the outcome of the negotiations on the brink of his demotion?

One cannot help but wonder how long this vision will last....

Malawi: A Champion Against HIV/AIDS!

2008-09-22T03:07:00.000-04:00

In 2004, Malawi began offering free antiretroviral therapy to thousands of patients in order to decrease the spread of HIV/AIDS. At the time, HIV/AIDS accounted for 58% of deaths of people aged 15-59. Today, of the 159,111 people receiving the drugs, 106,547 are still alive- representing a 67% survival rating and 75% national decrease of AIDS related deaths, overall.

A Girl's Best Friend

2008-09-21T22:58:00.003-04:00

Hmmm, maybe I should move to Lesotho! Miners have discovered the largest polished diamond- weighing 478 carats! It could be worth tens of millions of dollars and was discovered in the Letseng mine. Unfortunately, Lesotho only owns 30% of the company that found it...

Operation Rudi Nyumbani Community Disdain is Brewing

2008-09-17T05:46:00.000-04:00

I have been following the developments of Operation Rudi Nyumbani and have not been comfortable with the policy nor the way it has been implemented. Unfortunately, my worry was not in vain.
The closure of camps has been delayed because there is a great deal of confusion over who should receive compensation in order to return home and some citizens feel that conditions in their land of origin are not secure enough for them to return home and some even have no where to return. Though in the BBC report, the district commissioner of the Rift Valley has cast aside many of the complaints as false reports from opportunists, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that 60% of the families are returning home to severely damaged homes and villages, that need to be restored before citizens can live safe and comfortably.
There is a clear need for Kenyan community officials to objectively assess and remedy this situation lest they face disgruntled and slighted citizens.

Power Sharing Deal Reached in Zimbabwe

2008-09-15T13:04:00.002-04:00

Today, the new leaders of Zimbabwe announced the details of the power sharing deal reached on Friday. President Mbeki mediated the negotiations which maintains Robert Mugabe's seat as President and establishes opposition leaders, Morgan Tsvangirai as Prime Minister and Arthur Mutambara, who heads a breakaway faction of the MDC, Deputy Prime Minister
Though the full details of the deal have yet to be disclosed, President Mugabe will remain head of state, the cabinet, and the armed services. Prime Minister Tsvangirai will head the council of ministers and the police.

This is most definitely a step in the right direction and I can't wait to see how Zimbabweans as well as the international community will react. Mugabe largely criticized the UK for their interference in the political conflict by imposing sanctions and ZANU-PF and MDC supporters did not seem to mirror the reconciliatory spirit of Mugabe and Tsvangirai and clashed outside the conference center where the event took place. I hope that these are not signs that this showcase of cooperation is not truly genuine. Zimbabwe has a plethora of rebuilding to do and cannot achieve success without the strength of cooperation.

Let American Apparel Show You How to Dress Like an Afrikan

2008-09-09T14:51:00.003-04:00

American Apparel has a line of clothing available in four "Afrikan print" styles.
I've never seen this in Africa or worn by Afrikaans (since they so tactfully used a "k" instead of "c").

Unsurprisingly, there's lots and lots of zebra prints... What a mess!

US Aid to Africa is Not Interest Free

2008-09-08T14:47:00.001-04:00

This article by Andrew Natsios contends that soon to be former President George W. Bush's approval rating in Africa is so high because of humanitarian and economic aid he directed into the country. Despite the extreme political tension that pervades globally and especially in the Middle East and Central Asia, Bush has left a long lasting legacy in Africa that the author contends is due to his overwhelming generosity and the numerous campaigns he has launched to provide social services and spur economic growth on the continent.
However, upon news that the US plans to give $1 BILLION in aid to Georgia in the midst of a highly politicized and violent conflict with Russia, the allocation of $5 billion in aid to the whole continent of Africa, somehow dwarfs in comparison.
African countries have always viewed the US in a positive light. And President Bush has made it a point to publicly esteem African leaders who he had a vested interest in, in order to maintain positive and friendly diplomatic relations. President Mugabe and Bush have had a quite volatile relationship, but that was due to Mugabe's public outing of Bush as a dictator and exploiter in his own right.
I would argue that many citizens who "appreciate" Bush's efforts are unaware of the economic capacity of the US and would probably be insulted by the level of aid handouts from developed countries thus far, if they were aware of how much money was spent on the occupation of Iraq and what was just pledged to Georgia for their reconstruction over two years.
A country like Liberia, which was ravaged by civil war almost a decade ago is still lacking in basic infrastructure. Running water, consistent electricity, fully paved roads are still largely absent in the capital city of Monrovia. I use Liberia as an example, not because of the brutal civil war that the country suffered from, or even the fact that though their governance has dramatically strengthened- basic services are still not fully available, but because the US founded the country! The US can't even offer adequate support to a former colony, but within a heartbeat will pledge to aid in the complete restoration of a political ally.
So you see, the US hasnt done anything that it can't do or shouldnt have done- for that matter- for Africa, but the little it has done has made Africans grateful. So, unlike Mr. Natsios, I wouldn't confuse thanks with adoration for President Bush, but for all of America. Because as much and for how long foreigners have exploited and continue to exploit Africans, minimal acts of kind are a welcomed relief. And Im sure you'll find the same level of appreciation expressed towards Bush as it would be towards an everyday humanitarian aid worker. And I guarantee that regardless of the amount of humanitarian aid allocated by the next administration, there will be a mutual level of respect and gratitude for any assistance that is offered.
And more importantly, as much as America is now doing for Africa, let's not forget what Africa has and continues to do for America. Putting the obvious implications of slavery and colonization aside, today the US is faced with a serious shortage of oil and the favorability of Nigeria and other oil producing African nations have increasingly become more valuable. Also, the never ending war on terrorism has increased the number of US funded democracy initiatives, in an effort to prevent Al Queda from using Africa as a breeding ground and hub for global attacks.
Ultimately, though a great deal of the US' aid to Africa is genuine, we cannot ignore the increasing value that Africa has on US interest, nor the fact that US contributions are only a smidgen of its true capabilities.
But with all of this being said... I'm rebutting a claim from a man that doesnt even believe that Africans know how to tell time... so of course he would overlook the political and economic implications of US aid to Africa. As far as he's concerned, they'd be hopeless without it...

Transparency Is the Theme of the Week!

2008-09-05T16:39:00.003-04:00

President Koroma of Sierra Leone has declared his assets to the country's Anti-Corruption Commission. I find this news encouraging not only because of my extended critic of King Mswati of Swaziland, but because President Koroma ran on an anti-corruption platform and this is his first effort to prove it wasn't all talk. Hopefully he can be a pivotal leader in the quest to rid African countries of such a pervasive level of corruption on a micro and macro level.

Obama Believes in Transparency and So Does Africa!

2008-09-03T16:27:00.000-04:00

The other day I told you about a group who was exploiting Obama's campaign in order to raise unauthorized funds. Well, I'm happy to report that the anti-graft investigators in the country have seized the money and will return it to those who attended the event. They recovered $630,000 but would not press charges against the event organizers, because no national laws had been broken.

But in an effort to stay positive... Yes We Can!

US Halts Family Reunification of Refugees

2008-08-29T06:17:00.000-04:00

The US State Department has halted the family reunification of African refugees due to their belief that the participants were creating fraud. The article by BBC did not say what prompted it, but DNA tests were issued on samples of applicants and showed that only about 20% had blood relation. The State Department and Homeland security thus deemed this a fraud and have halted the program.
It is clear that the implementors of this investigation are ignorant of African kinship networks. Family is regarded as anyone who comes from the same village, compound, or community as you and is very rarely genetically defined. Also, as the African diaspora expands, Africans define family even more loosely. I, myself, who was not brought up in Cameroon refer to my family members as fellow Cameroonians that I've known since childhood, those who come from the same village as my parents, and even those who share the same dialect as my parents. I often and easily refer to someone that I may have met that same day as my cousin, aunt, or uncle.
Likewise, I come from a very large family and have more cousins than I can count. My mother being the most successful of the family has financially supported almost all of my cousins. For this reason many of them view her as their mother and if they were to immigrate to the US, she would call them her daughter or son.
Ultimately, I understand why an African refugee would refer to an extended relative or someone that is not a blood relative as their child or daughter. There is a good chance that they raised them! Especially in communities ravaged by warfare, such as the ones tested, where a child may have been orphaned. But I think that the US should rethink its labeling of this frequency of occurrences as a fraud and instead realize that if the pattern was found in so many countries (Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Guinea, Gambia and Ivory Coast), perhaps there's a gap in intercultural communication. And more importantly, if the resources and opportunities already exist for these people to be resettled and removed from potentially violent situations- why prevent it on such an arbitrary basis?

Africans for Obama

2008-08-28T03:06:00.002-04:00

I knew that with all the excitement in Africa surrounding Senator Barack Obama's presidential nomination, it was only a matter of time before profiteers would rear their ugly heads.

As I have said a million times and will continue to say, I am a staunch supporter of Barack Obama, however, many Africans abroad seem to care more about Obama's political campaign than they do the politics of their own nation! Perhaps it is their way of coping with the pervasive lack of democracy consuming the continent or perhaps they celebrate his achievement in hopes that other Black leaders will follow his example.

But what I don't understand and most definitely cannot accept is the exploitation of Obama's campaign abroad.

The BBC recently exposed a group calling itself Africans for Obama that was holding fundraisers under the premise of Barack Obama's campaign. The group was charging $21,000 a table for events in support of Obama's bid for presidency. However, US political parties cannot accept funds from groups outside of the US. When the BBC confronted the leader of the group with this minor, but critical detail, she stated that the purpose of the event was raise funds to spend on advertising to convince their relatives in the US to vote for Obama in the upcoming election.

Putting aside the ridiculousness of this justification for fraud, why couldnt such an event be launched to reach out to rural voters within their own country and educate them about their political process, or to raise funds to ensure that all children receive insecticide treated bed nets to reduce the level of fatalities due to malaria, or to ensure that all households had access to safe and clean water, or donated to a million other issues that have hampered development in Africa?!?!?

Tonight, Barack Obama will become the first Black man to accept a major party nomination for President of the United States. Let us come together as Africans in support of his accomplishment and draft US foreign policy objectives that will build on Obama's legacy and benefit Africans across the globe!

Long Live the King! But What About His Subjects...?

2008-08-27T14:54:00.000-04:00

About a month ago I watched the documentary Without the King, which is a socioeconomic profile of Swaziland and the affects of monarchy. Knowing very little about Swaziland before watching this film, I was shocked by what it candidly exposed.

King Mswati, who took the throne when he was only 18, has been internationally criticized for his lavish lifestyle amidst Swaziland's immense poverty. The documentary stars Princess Sikhanyiso, who is often called "Pashu", as she prepares to begin college in California and explore the impact that she can soon have on the development of her homeland. She gives us a tour of the king's exquisite mansion while the viewer is simultaneously shown the conditions that most Swazi's live in- dilapidated one room shacks, lacking access to clean water. The film also depicts citizens' desire to eliminate the country's autocratic royal rule and transition into a democracy. Many believe that it is the country's system of governance that has led to the king's exploitation of country resources and citizens' extreme poverty, dependency on international aid, and the highest aids rate in the world.

I was hoping that perhaps the producers of the documentary already had preconceived notions about the method of governance in Swaziland and were using the film as a political platform for change. However, as I have browsed news of the past ten years reporting on Swaziland, I am quite saddened by the lack of international attention this country has received, considering the seriousness of the humanitarian situation and blatant misappropriation of national resources by the king.

As far back as 2000, large scale demonstrations were staged protesting the lack of political parties and the abuse of royal power, which had even led to the forced removal of people from their homes because a prince wanted the land.

In order to help halt the spread of HIV/AIDS, the King instituted a sex ban in September of 2001, that was to last for five years. Unmarried girls under the age of 18 were instructed to wear tassels, warning men not to touch them. If they did, the men would be fined one cow or $152.

However, within one month, the King himself violated the ban by becoming engaged to a 17 year old girl. In a gesture of compliance with tradition, he donated one cow to a local village.
The King's disobeyal of the traditional was just another step in his abuse of power. In 2005, King Mswati ended the sex ban a year early and chose his new 17 year old wife shortly thereafter.

Aaaaah, but the joys of being a Queen. Though the women at times publicly battle for King Mswati's affection, he ensures that they enjoy the same level of luxury that he does by buying them luxury cars to match his own. But all this does not compare to his private jet, that was featured in the film and flew the Princess to school in California.

The most recent blatant misuse of the government's funds took place last week when the King's wives chartered a plane to go shopping in Europe and the Middle East.

Swaziland is a landlocked country, thus its opportunity to enter the global economy severely hampered. It is so unfortunate that a country that prides itself in its ability to maintain its culture and tradition has been forced to seek modernity for the sake of their own livelihoods! I do not have a solution to the crisis that pervades Swaziland, but I know that at the very least, King Mswati should not continue to use his royalty as justification for leading a life of shameless extravagance, while his people live in abject poverty and perish at an alarming rate.

Bakassi: A Conflict for Land and Identity - But What Does This Reveal About Governance?

2008-08-26T08:37:00.001-04:00

The situation in Bakassi Peninsula goes beyond that of land allocation, conflict over resources, or even development. It is clearly an issue of the effects that governance has on national identity.
The people of Bakassi have inhabitated an area that has been contested by Cameroon as theirs but claimed by Nigeria for decades. However, in 2002, after 15 years of political debate, the International Court of Justice awarded the land to Cameroon, much to the dismay of Nigeria and most of the inhabitants of Bakassi. On August 14, over 5 years after the court decision, the land was finally handed over to Cameroon.

The region was home to about 300,000 but in the months leading to the handover, over 100,000 people fled due to a desire to maintain their Nigerian citizenship as well as fear that during the hand over there would be violent clashes between Nigerian and Cameroonian factions in dispute over the handover. Though this fear was warranted due to a few skirmishes during the past year, on the actual day of the handover, things were relatively peaceful and the international community has congratulated both parties for the successful and most importantly peaceful implementation of the agreement.
But still, many residents of Bakassi are adamant about retaining their Nigerian citizenship. To the point that many of them have moved to overcrowded transit camps in Nigeria, abandoning their homes and businesses in Bakassi. In attempts to appease them, Nigeria began constructing a "New Bakassi", but this plan has been largely unsuccessful and even resulted in the displacement and destruction of homes and property of the original inhabitants of the land in an effort to make space for migrants from Bakassi.
This massive move of the inhabitants of Bakassi to Nigeria is a clear indication that their grievance with the handing over of the land is not rooted in their desire to occupy the assumingly oil rich peninsula and lucrative fishing economy, but rather feelings that they were betrayed by the Nigerian government (specifically former President Obasanjo) due to the ease in which they handed the land and thus the citizens over to Cameroon. The battle for land was in principle to those in Bakassi, a battle for the people who identified themselves as Nigerian.
Many Nigerian politicians as well as former community members of Bakassi have vowed to continue to contest the decision of the court even though the land has been handed over. However, the Cameroonian government and media has remained largely silent on the topic and assert that peace should be maintained in the region and Cameroonians and Nigerians should continue to coexist as they do along much of the border that they share.
I can't help but feel that the Cameroonian government is slightly embarrassed by how adamant the residents of Bakassi are about maintaining Nigerian citizenship. Perhaps this will give the government of Cameroon and impetus to investigate its treatment of its own citizens and why inhabitants of a neighboring village would rather become refugees than secure claim to their land. Sam Nuvala Fonkem compares the plight of Bakassi residents to that of Southern Cameroonians and the social division that developed after Cameroon's 1961 plebiscite, resulting in a longstanding political and economical marginalization of the group. Inhabitants of Bakassi have also expressed their fear of treatment they will receive from the Cameroonian government as well as the treatment they have witnessed of those living in parts of Bakassi, which had been previously ceded to Cameroon.
Ultimately, it is amazing how the creation of the nation state has developed identities- though officially controlled by its current inhabitors for less than 50 years- that are powerful enough to trump individuals' loyalty to land and history. During colonialism borders were so fluid and often changed without notice to the actual inhabitants. But today, we see country after country battling to rewrite borders that didnt exist during their initial inhabitance and were drawn by foreigners who no longer (and maybe never) inhabited it!

Cameroon Brings Home the Gold!

2008-08-19T16:18:00.003-04:00

On Monday, Francoise Mbango Etone brought home the gold for Cameroon in the Triple Jump at the Beijing Olympics and set a new world record of 15.39. She also won the gold in 2004 at Athens. Congrats Francoise!!!

Africa is Not a Dumping Ground

2008-08-06T09:56:00.000-04:00

The Agbobloshie dump site in Accra, Ghana is being consumed by old and broken computers shipped from abroad under the guise of second hand donations. The dumping ground is littered with broken glass, plastic, metal, and other dangerous and toxin computer parts that have been sent here for disposal. People are forced to tip toe around the area for fear of injuring themselves and the air is constantly covered in a thick black smoke as the computer parts burn.

The export of computer waste is banned internationally, but people are circumventing the law by labeling the junk as donations. However, 90% of the machines sent end up at the dump site where they contaminate the water and environment.

As the demand for the newest and savviest form of technology increases, more of the old is discarded and shipped to places that the rest of the world considers worthy of their junk. Greenpeace International has been exposing sites of what they call the "shady e-waste trade" and are calling for electronic companies to be responsible for recycling their used products. When we throw products out, materials should be returned back to the companies and maybe it will force them to come up with ways to recycle them rather than polluting communities overseas.

Kalibrados and Other Musicians Stand Up Against Xenophobia

2008-08-06T07:44:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday there was a concert in Johannesburg, South Africa called, "Not In Our Lifetime", where Kalibrados an Angolan rap group and other musical acts performed to raise awareness of the negative impact of xenophobia. The proceeds from the concert will be used to support refugees and others victimized due to the xenophobic attacks that took place in May.

Here is a peak of Kalibrados' music.

Operation Return Home- If You Can Prove You Had One

2008-08-04T16:40:00.004-04:00

A few months ago, I wrote about Operation Rudi Nyumbani, a government project aimed at returning IDPs to their homes. This project incorporated an element of compensation for those who had been displaced due to election violence. Upon hearing about this plan, my immediate concern was how the government would ensure that all citizens received their due compensation and those that were not displaced did not unduly benefit.
It seems as though Kenya has applied some very strict and seemingly unfair land laws in order to remedy this situation.
IDPs have been categorized as landowners, leaving those who can't prove land ownership with nowhere to go. However those that have been truly displaced including sharecroppers, squatters, and migrant workers are left in the camps to fend for themselves and are ineligible to benefit from government assistance.
Besides the fact that modern land policies should not be applied to traditional societies, all citizens affected by the political and economic conditions in Kenya, should be provided government assistance. They should not be forced to negotiate inane policies that only further exacerbate their current conditions. Kenya needs to immediately reassess the implementation of their return plan and ensure that citizens aren't once again left out in the cold, perpetuating a cycle of not only poverty, but aggressive and violent disdain for the government.

Enough of ENOUGH

2008-07-30T11:21:00.004-04:00

I usually don't like to criticize other NGOs for the work the do because I try to believe that everyone approaches their work with good intentions. And if we all shared the same vision then there would not be a needed for hundreds of different organizations. However, recently NGOs have been casually throwing around political terms that are extremely destructive and disrupting the humanitarian communities capability to reach our goals and truly generate positive change in the world.
Currently, I am thoroughly annoyed with ENOUGH. Besides the fact that I immediately recognized them as one of many bandwagon jumpers claiming to work towards the end of genocide in Darfur (ie. Save Darfur, 24 Hours for Darfur, Genocide Intervention Network, Stop Genocide Now, Our Pledge, and more that I could ever find the time to name), their latest "campaign" has really got me pissed off.
ENOUGH claims to be a "project to end genocide and crimes against humanity". However, their latest report is focused on Robert Mugabe and his dictatorship in Zimbabwe. Now, anyone who has been following this blog knows that I am not a fan of Mugabe and his most recent stunt thoroughly pissed me off. However, you also know that I am not a fan of any dictator and have compared him to other current leaders, who have been welcomed and befriended by the same leaders and countries that criticize Mugabe. I'm all about calling a spade a spade, but I can't stand double standards or public figures who exploit their power and influence for the sake of personal interests.
ENOUGH, however, seems to be unaware of leaders throughout the world who mirror Mugabe's style of leadership and took the time to write a 28 paged report suggesting that he should be held accountable and prosecuted for international CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. I'm not even sure if they know what that means. They then go on to say that the African Union should support the effort, though they will be reluctant to do this. Ummm...yeah...considering most of the members are his cronies!
Though I never held them in a high regard to begin with, I've completely lost respect for ENOUGH because in an effort to yet again jump on another humanitarian/political bandwagon, they have simplified the meaning of international statues and are abusing external actors role in protecting citizens. America and the Western world in general need to recognize that they are not world police. It has led them to act like the backward law enforcers citizens despise, who accept payoffs from billionaire drug lords and arrest 14year old corner boys.
Why hasn't ENOUGH written a report demanding that George W. Bush be indicted for international war crimes - considering he has illegally invaded and occupied a country for five years, destroying their infrastructure and invalidating the established method of governance, resulting in millions of refugees and displaced people. All to the political and financial benefit of he and his cohorts. But I won't get into that...
Ultimately, I've had ENOUGH with ENOUGH and they need to seriously reassess their mission and purpose.

Palestians Relocating to Sudan- A Violent Game of Hopscotch

2008-07-15T13:42:00.008-04:00

In the US, instability in Iraq has focused around government spending, the loss of American lives, and stark political division. However, in the midst of the chaos are roughly 34,000 stateless Palestinians who have lived in Iraq and faced persecution since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. About 3,000 of them fled to the Iraq/Syrian border, where they have been denied entry into Syria and live on extremely limited resources.
UNHCR (The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) has been in seek of a country willing to host this group. Chile and Sweden have been the most welcoming, as most countries have placed a huge stigma on the Palestinian population.
In a sad, but seemingly only, solution to this dilemma the UN will be relocating them to Sudan, the only country willing to accept them.
This decision is compounded with irony. Sudan is in the midst of a multi-actor and enduring civil war that continues to result in the murder and displacement of millions of its own citizens. On Monday, the ICC put out an arrest warrant for President Al-Bashir that many believe will only heighten the level of insecurity in the region. The relocation of thousands of Palestinians to this region is not only a disservice to Palestinians who have had their lives disrupted for decades, but also for the people of Sudan who are in the midst of an internal battle for resources and many of whom have been marginalized and persecuted by their government as well.

Hypocrisy at Its Peak

2008-07-07T15:40:00.005-04:00

I have tried to avoid posting news about the sham elections in Zimbabwe because I prefer to highlight more novel events related to Africa. And by now, if you aren't aware of how Mugabe stole the Zimbabwean presidential election, then you don't care.

Bush recently, Bush has become very vocal about the whole situation and even attempting to convince other world leaders to impose sanctions against Zimbabwe.

I definitely think that international pressure is needed in order to mediate the situation (though I feel it should come from the SADC and not the West.) However, President Bush's vocalness on this matter is completely hypocritical. In 2003, on the eve of the Iraq invasion, President Bush invited President Baul Biya to the White House in order to court his support. This is a man who has also been in power since 1984 and has maintained it through the repression of the opposition party and gross human rights violations and has even amended the constitution to inevitably make him President for Life. Sound familiar? But today, after Mugabe publicly embarassed President Bush and all of his Western cronies, President Bush "cares about the people of Zimbabwe"? Right.... Let's end the hypocrisy. All of Bush's actions and statements have been influenced by personal gain and interest. Seeing as though this is a blog about Africa, I won't even get into the invasion and occupation of Iraq, but his hypocrisy shines bright and quite frankly hurts my eyes...

Want to Work in Africa?

2008-06-30T15:14:00.002-04:00

Zebrajobs.com a website that work towards making it easier to find jobs in Africa is having a virtual job fair that will run for 3 months from September 15- December 15. After looking at this site, I am looking forward to the job fair. The site has almost 4,000 jobs at all levels that are targeted to expats and locals. It is a great way for people interested in working in Africa to have a more synthesized avenue to search in.

A Sad Day for Democracy

2008-06-23T09:47:00.007-04:00

This Friday Zimbabwe will hold its run-off election for the presidency. However, due to the overwhelming amount of violence, corruption, and repression that has marked the presidential run-off campaign, the results will be a complete sham. Yesterday, Morgan Tsvangirai, the opposition party's leader and winner of the initial election, pulled out of the election, asserting that contesting Mugabe's rule was not worth the number of lives that had been and would continue to be lost as a result of challenge of his rule. Here are his comments, as well as responses to the decision he made.

Mugabe definitely wins the bully of the year award. Unfortunately, he has always been a bully. Upon taking power in the 80s, he stripped White Zimbabweans of their land and redistributed it to his supporters. Only, at that time, it was considered cool and payback for the centuries of oppression Blacks had suffered under Whites. Mugabe grew a large support base because of his radical and uncompromising stand. However, today, 28 years later he continues to use force and radical and uncompromisable approaches to control the country and his people.

It is time the international community stop ignoring grave acts of human rights abuse in Africa. For the sake of human lives, please put our selfish interests to the side and call and spade a spade. We all laughed when Mugabe chastised Bush for calling the kettle black:

But he has taken his authoritarianism too far and needs to be stopped!

I respect Tsvangirai for fighting until now and wish he could continue, considering at this point, if Mugabe is going to assassinate him, he will regardless of whether he wins or not. But it is definitely time for someone to put at end to dictatorships and complete disregards for democracy that are plaguing us.

Are Chinese People Black?

2008-06-20T12:29:00.004-04:00

The High Court in South Africa thinks so. This week they ruled that Chinese South Africans be reclassified as Black so that they could also benefit from the Broad-Based Economic Empowerment and the Employment Equity Acts, designed to end White domination and give people classified as Blacks, Indians, and Coloureds more employment and economic benefits. Until now, Chinese people in South Africa had been considered White and though they are a minority in society, they did not benefit from the programs that other non-White ethnic groups did.
I wish I knew more about race relations and hierarchy in South Africa so that I could offer an informed opinion on the topic. But I will say that this is a clear example of the politics of race around the world. In the US, race is considered in the most literal way possible, whereas in many other societies Whiteness and Blackness is considered an expression of your social status. Therefore, one can be physically Black, but well educated and wealthy, thus making him or her "White" and vice versa.
I can remember a Professor of mine who is African American and dark skinned telling me of a time she visited Morocco and was constantly referred to as White because she was eloquent, well-dressed, and wore lipstick. I also sympathize for Chinese currently in South Africa who may move to the US one day and realize that they aren't Black...how shocking that will be!

Difficulties Returning Home

2008-06-12T16:34:00.002-04:00

There are at least 40 million refugees and internally displaced people through out the world. And the goal of most is to be able to return home. However, because conflict and natural disaster are usually the source of their displacement, returning home is not as simple as many think. Once the war is over or the lands have dried, many people have nothing left to return to. This has been a huge challenge of the humanitarian community and unfortunately continues to compound.

Liberia has been heralded for resolving its conflict and soaring economically in the last year. However, the effects of displacement still linger. This week 12 farm workers and may be more were killed over land disputes and citizens in the DRC are facing the same issue.

I suggest that in addition to creating land distribution programs, governments need to encourage formal land ownership documentation and archives. Too often land ownership in rural settings has been relied on oral history and communal networks, which were severely fractioned and even destroyed during longstanding conflicts.

I Couldn't Have Said it Better Myself

2008-06-11T16:55:00.004-04:00

Let me preface this entry by saying "I support Barack Obama 100%" I voted for him during my primary election and will vote for him in November.
That being said, it really annoys me that everytime I speak to a friend or family member in Africa, conversation is CONSUMED with questions about Obama. I fully respect an individual's desire to follow news and politics abroad, because I clearly do the same. What I don't understand is this obsession with the elections in the US (as ground breaking as it is) when all is not at right at home!
I'll stop here and include an excerpt from Dorene Namanya's piece in The Monitor

"Obama- Let's Not Get Carried Away"
The morning after he won the democratic nomination, he was all everyone was talking about. From local TV and FM stations, the taxi driver chatting enthusiastically to his conductor, the leading dailies, to even talk among women who are normally far removed from the political surroundings (although to be fair they were discussing his looks). The Obama drug was taking effect. It was as if the prices of fuel, food and the northern war peace treaty (or lack thereof) no longer seemed to matter. Ugandans had embraced Obama.

This is worrying on so many fronts. One that we almost seem more enthusiastic about than our neighbours in Kenya and he is after all their cousin. Kind of like that woman who howls, wails and threatens to kill herself at the death of her stepchild when the child's mother is weeping quietly in a corner.

Two, that Obama's election will not change the situation here. Honest, those potholes will remain. Three, that Zimbabwe is still being led by a tyrant, Ugandans are being harassed in South Africa, there is a crisis in Darfur and yet we channel our energies in the Obama campaign. Four that he is still only just a candidate.

This is probably the one topic where people are taking advantage to show off their knowledge of international politics, but all that enthusiasm is not going to pay off in the end. I hate to disappoint all of you enthusiasts, but your opinion as Ugandans matters only so much.

Reminds me of the last US presidential elections, how a certain tabloid here ran an editorial on Election Day that read, "Here at (insert tabloid name) we support John Kerry." I bet John Kerry wrote them a letter later thanking them for their support. I bet he didn't.

It's Getting Worse

2008-06-06T10:22:00.004-04:00

First CARE, now all aid groups have been suspended from operating in Zimbabwe. I think I've already made it clear how I feel about this whole situation. Now it's just getting downright sad...
Food distribution has been banned, in the middle of a food crisis.
The publicized rationale behind the ban is to prohibit aid groups from politicizing their operations and influencing the vote of citizens. But if Mugabe has been leading his country in a fair and just way, what is he so afraid of?
Since Tsvangirai's return to Zimbabwe, he's been detained twice. American and British diplomats have also been harrassed and detained. Now the government is using its power to turn on it's citizens. This situation is completely out of control and I can only imagine what June 27 holds in store.

Let's Go Lions!

2008-06-05T21:53:00.000-04:00

I don't follow soccer, but I always jump on the cheering bandwagon when Cameroon is doing well.
FIFA has ranked Cameroon the top team in Africa and I am proud of my lions!

Yes, Mugabe, You've Officially Lost Your Mind!

2008-06-03T16:02:00.005-04:00

CARE provides assistance to 500,000 of Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable people, including orphans, the sick and the elderly. This month, it would have fed more than 110,000 people in schools, orphanages, old age homes and through other programs.

And last week, President Mugabe suspended CARE from operating in Zimbabwe. He asserts that CARE has been financially supporting opposition parties in Zimbabwe and encouraging people to vote against the ZANU-PF, the current ruling party, which has been in power for almost 30 years.
CARE, like most humanitarian aid organizations are nonpartisan and deny the accusations levied against them. Of course, I do not know whether or not CARE staff was speaking against the government in the name of CARE, but what I do know is that President Mugabe and the ZANU-PF have been institutionally silencing all citizens and organizations that have criticized their regime. I have spoken out about this in previous posts, especially when their abuse extended to US Ambassadors and diplomats, but if I thought they crossed the line before, now they've completely erased it.
To suspend the operations of a leading and reputable humanitarian organization is blasphemous, especially on the brink of a mass repatriation of tens of thousands of citizens who have been run out of South Africa and seek support at all levels.
When will our leaders embrace a true democracy that involves a critique of our leaders and support of opposition groups?!?!? Why is it a crime to have a differing of opinions? For centuries we've sought to be viewed as a diverse people and not one monolithic group, yet we persecute those who challenge our perspective. But to continually risk the livelihoods and development of your people is sick. And all I am left to believe is: Yes, Mugabe, You've Officially Lost Your Mind!

Reigniting the Harvards of Africa

2008-06-03T11:26:00.005-04:00

In a previous post, I discussed my disillusion with African Universities which had once been the pinnacle of esteem. In recent decades, however, African Universities have taken a drastic decline due to lack of funding and resources at the expense of the student body, faculty, and infrastructure. Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, which onces boasted a rich history and scholarship is now plagued with logistical and technical issues inherently linked to a lack of funding and government support.
I have always advocated partnerships with more lucrative bodies, whether or not they may be Western organizations or donors. However, I have always asserted that these partnerships should not weaken or erase the true spirit and relevance of African education, which is deep rooted in the culture and way of life of its people. For this reason, I have been a critic of Abti-American University of Nigeria's structure.
But alas, Harvard University alumni have formed an organization they call Harvard Alumni for Social Action, which dedicates its efforts to supporting African universities. The beauty in this partnership is that these group of alumni realize the potential reached and that still lies in African Universities, as well as the abundance of resources available within their network and have made it their goal to raise African Universities to a standard that they themselves once upheld. Currently, their funding is focused on the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and based on the information provided in their fact sheet, I would say that their impact is beneficial and sustainable

African Literature and Art

2008-06-02T17:02:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite pastimes besides writing is reading, especially books by African authors. It is a goal of mine to incorporate into this blog, not only news from Africa, but reviews on my favorite books as well. Until I get there, however I have found links to a few blogs that highlight African writing and thought I'd share them.

Cameroon Literature in English is a site that focuses on English writing by Cameroonians. I can see the necessity of this site, considering many people I meet, including Africans, do not realize that Cameroon is also an English speaking country. I have also had difficulty finding novels by Cameroonian writers, so I'm excited that a site showcases their work.

Discovery of Gambian Literature & Writing showcases just that in the form of author profiles.

Wordsbody touches on every aspect of African art, including the beauty of African languages. As does Kenyanpoet, which focuses specifically on Kenya.

The Hypocrisy Surrounding the Use of Child Soldiers

2008-05-28T13:18:00.004-04:00

Let me preface this post by saying that I am completely against the use of child soldiers.

That being said, I can not continue to ignore the overwhelming hypocrisy surrounding discourse around the use of child soldiers throughout the world. The recruitment of young people in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America are constantly portrayed as involuntary conscription by rebels and other undisciplined violent factions. However, it is a fact that many young people join the army and non-formal militant groups because they feel they have not other options considering their socioeconomic condition. This is almost always the underlying grievance of militant groups who wage war.
But for some reason this phenomenon is never linked or compared to the recruitment of soldiers in the US. It is a fact that military recruiters go to impoverished and lower income areas in order to recruit young people, especially school drop outs of upcoming high school graduates with no prospect for the future. Is it not the same conception of a lack of resources and a bleak socioeconomic situation that spurs their interest in the army.
Of course I know age is always considered an issue, but in the US, tens of thousands of high school students are trained in ROTC programs starting at the age of 14 and then shuffled into the army after they graduate high school. Also, comparatively speaking young people in developing countries mature far faster than those in the US and may even become the head of their households or breadwinners in their families at 13 or 14. Recruitment into militant groups is seen as a better opportunity for them as it is seen as one for young American soldiers.
I would say that a grave difference is the benefits that American soldiers receive, but considering the number of homeless veterans in the US, I no longer deem it fair to even make that argument.
Ultimately, I think that it is very important to stop isolating issues that exist abroad, especially in developing countries. The best way to solve issues is to analyze them comparatively and apply lessons learned. The recruitment and conscription of young people into armed factions is not due to desire, but a lack of more favorable opportunities. Perhaps, we should focus our efforts on making these opportunities available for young people discouraging and preventing those who are more vulnerable from being conscripted and recruited.

Relevant Post

Who Will Protect Civilians from Aid Workers and Peacekeepers

2008-05-27T14:43:00.003-04:00

In recent weeks, UN peacekeeping soldiers, especially those in the Congo, have been scrutinized for their behavior in these volatile zones. It has been a difficult subject to broach because the work that peacekeepers do is appreciated and necessary, however, it is completely unfair and immoral to ignore the abuse of power by some soldiers. Their intent is to serve and protect citizens caught in the middle of violent conflicts that have left many of them homeless and without basic sustenance. Unfortunately some soldiers use this as a means to fulfill perverse desires and take advantage of innocent women and children.
Alarmingly, it doesnt end there. Now aid workers have also been implicated in participating in this inexplicable behavior. The most recent report released by Save the Children UK states that children as young as 6 have been forced to have sex with aid workers and peacekeepers in exchange for food and money.

In the report, "No One To Turn To" a 15-year-old girl from Haiti told researchers: "My friends and I were walking by the National Palace one evening when we encountered a couple of humanitarian men. The men called us over and showed us their penises.
"They offered us 100 Haitian gourdes ($2.80) and some chocolate if we would suck them. I said, 'No,' but some of the girls did it and got the money."

Peacekeeping violations do not only include sexual abuses, in Mogadishu, peacekeepers have been accused of selling arms to rebels.

So the question is, who will hold these groups responsible for their violations?

A few weeks ago, the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services launched an investigation into allegations of abuse by peacekeeping soldiers in the Congo, but the chance of anyone being persecuted for these crimes is very slim. Even a former investigator for the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services had to resign and blow the whistle on the illicit activity rampant in the Congo. Mathias Basanisi asserts that Pakistani peacekeeping officers were corroborating with rebels in the Congo, exchanging classified information and weapons for gold. However, his reports went ignored though there was evidence and witness testimonies.
Unfortunately in peacekeeping situations, the ends too often justify the means. Victims will rarely speak up against their perpetrators for fear that they will be left without protection and resources. However, international governing bodies and agencies have to be held accountable for their workers. Reports of sexual abuse cannot be ignored.
I remember when a well respected professor of mine insinuated that HIV/AIDS was spread to West Africa in the 90s after the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Liberia and Sierra Leone. This theory is proven even more real today. The mandate of the right to protect should not just focus on the initial perpetrators of violence, but should encapsulate every aspect of conflict and emergency situations, including actors providing resources for the most vulnerable groups.

Union Government for Africa

2008-05-22T13:38:00.004-04:00

In a quest to accelerate political and economic integration in Africa, 12 countries are meeting in Arusha to deliberate on a proposed Union Government for Africa. Member states set to attend are Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, South Africa and Tanzania.
A union of this kind excites me for several reason. I hope that African leaders can begin to hold themselves accountable for democratic issues and human rights violations occurring in their countries, as there would be a direct effect on their economic stability and that of others in the union. I can only see such a union making countries stronger and making other African countries (especially those not in the union) less dependent on Western aid. I also hope that it would encourage a more communal spirit between nations. Though, I notice the only countries represented in the union that have a a bit of conflict are Cameroon and Nigeria (though it has been moderated through the ICC and has been fairly small scale), I would hope that a union such as this would help to reduce, if not obliterate violent conflict between states, especially members and those who seek to join. Ghana, being named the most peaceful country in Africa serves as a great leader for the continent and I hope to see the union succeed and flourish.

The Fight Against Immigrants

2008-05-19T14:22:00.006-04:00

In the US, immigration has become a widely contested issue as the economy declines. Many citizens contend that immigrants take jobs from away from them and are demanding that the US tighten their borders.
This weekend in South Africa, the battle against immigration took on a more violent persona as 22 foreigners were killed and over 6,000 forced to flee. Native South Africans in the townships of Johannesburg attacked other Africans who they felt were taking their jobs and benefiting from social services.
It's truly unfortunate that economic conditions have forced Africans to abandon their communal and hospitable spirit. Most of the foreigners killed were from Zimbabwe (up to 3 million Zimbabweans live in South Africa), where they are escaping government persecution and extreme poverty. However, they have been blamed for much of South Africa's own social and economic problems including unemployment, housing shortages, and an extremely high crime level. Many have decided to return home rather than continue to face the violent attacks in South Africa.

Nigerians, Malawians, and Mozambicans were also reported to be recipients of the violence, which include savage beatings, rape, and people being burnt alive. More than 200 perpetrators have been arrested, but mobs are still roaming the streets in search of foreigners and looting and burning their businesses.

Humanity Before Politics

2008-05-15T14:51:00.003-04:00

Relations between Somalians and Ethiopians in Mogadishu have been marked by distrust and conflict due to Ethiopia's support of the interim Somali government. However, in the midst of the current food crisis, Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu were able to put aside political feelings and channel their humanitarian spirit. The soldiers raised a collection with their own salaries and bought and distributed food to needy families in Mogadishu.

This was more than necessary on the brink of a series of food riots, that left two protesters dead.

Don't Act Foolish, Zimbabwe

2008-05-14T16:21:00.004-04:00

For over a month now, supporters of the opposition party and critics of the government have been harassed, detained, abused, and even killed in Zimbabwe. More recently, these bullies have foolishly turned their aggression on US diplomats in the country. Unable to turn their heads to the post election violence plaguing citizens in Zimbabwe, US ambassadors and other diplomats visited victims in the hospitals and on their way back were held hostage at a roadblock for almost two hours, while they were questioned by security officials for their reason of being there. Though none of the diplomats were harmed during the verbal altercation, I hope that the ruling party in Zimbabwe realizes that this type of behavior will only bring more attention to their human rights abuses and hopefully more countries will demand transparency in their current democratic system and a legitimate ruler will soon rise to power.

More recently, citizens have used very novel ways of protesting the government's repression. Hackers shut down the Herald newspaper website, regarded as the official mouthpiece of President Mugabe's ZANU-PF party.

Saddest Thing I've Heard All Day

2008-05-12T21:44:00.000-04:00

"When I grow up, I want to go to Africa and civilize people and teach them how to be good." - Bruce, a seven year old child on "Seven Up!"

This evening I began watching the "Seven Up!" series. If you haven't heard of it, it's a series that was produced decades ago in England. A group of fourteen seven-year-olds were chosen and filmed every seven years of their life until the turn of the century. They are chosen to represent different socioeconomic backgrounds. All of the children are White, except for one mixed boy, who doesn't seem to realize that he is half Black at this point.
The child who I quoted, Bruce, comes from a quite privileged background and is attending a boarding school. He has traveled to Africa before and claims to have a girlfriend waiting for him there, but sadly, even at his young age, he is still able to articulate such a negative ,yet innocent, view of Africa.

Turmoil In Khartoum

2008-05-12T21:38:00.000-04:00

This weekend marked one of unimaginable turmoil in Khartoum as rebels attacked the city center. Bystanders reported that they could hear rounds of gunfire from the malls and airport. This is the closest rebels have ever been to Khartoum, prompting a 5pm curfew over the weekend and resulting in about 65 deaths.
The rebels came from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), allegedly backed by neighboring Chad.

As a result, Sudan has cut ties with Chad and has threatened retaliation.

The government contends that they have defeated the rebels. However, Khalil Ibrahim, leader of the JEMs, has contended that the attacks will not end until they take over the capital.

Operation Rudi Nyumbani

2008-05-12T15:56:00.005-04:00

Kenya has begun the process of resettling those displaced due to election violence, dubbed: Operation Rudi Nyumbani. Though, many have told the government that they will not return home until they are compensated for their loss. They say that they are not being properly ensured that their resettlements will be facilitated. and have also complained of inadequate protection in their home communities.
In response, the government has begun a quest to raise $500 million to help the IDPs return home. Some feel that though this may be necessary because of the loss many IDPs have suffered, the Kenyan government has dug a deep hole for itself by promising compensation to those that were displaced. There has already been a trend of people not living in camps, traveling to them in order to receive aid. How will the government control and verify that those who were actually displaced receive compensation. More importantly, where will the government get the funds to compensate the hundreds of thousands of people who were displaced? Election violence is nothing new to Kenya. And though the most recent wave of violence was on a larger scale, political conflict has plagued the region since its independence and is highly foreseeable in the future. As well intentioned as compensation is, it is not a wise precedent to set if it cannot be immediately fulfilled or maintained in the coming years.

I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself!

2008-05-12T11:14:00.003-04:00

Everyone once in a while, I come across an article that I can really appreciate. I feel no need to summarize or even comment much on it, because I couldn't have said it better myself! The following outlines why the lack of support given to students in African Universities will prevent them from developing and producing successful unique ventures.

Africa: Why Continent May Never Produce a Facebook
Mfonobong Nsehe

Randall Pinkett is a nice guy. You've probably heard of him. He's the savvy Rhodes MBA scholar, self-made millionaire entrepreneur, author, coach and motivational speaker who beat 17 other contestants to clinch the plum job in the fourth season edition of Real Estate tycoon, Donald Trump's famed and widely syndicated 'Apprentice' reality TV show.

As an author, Randall has written a book that would definitely be a student entrepreneur's delight. It is a very practical how-to guide for aspiring student entrepreneurs on how to successfully launch and run a profitable business while still in school. The title of the book is 'Campus CEO: The student entrepreneur's guide to launching a multi-million dollar business.'

In the book, Randall wrote a chapter that I found very interesting. It was on the issue of financing the businesses of student entrepreneurs.

As Randall noted, several universities in the United States and other more-developed countries of the world are very supportive of student entrepreneurs.

Many universities organise annual business plan competitions in their campuses in which students present their business ideas and business plans before a committee of well-established, seasoned and experienced business scholars, analysts and venture capitalists who review the students' prospective business plans.

At the end of the day, based on the strengths and prospects of their respective business plans, winners are selected and these winners stand to win cash prizes ranging from $10,000, $20,000, and in some cases, even as much as $100,000 to boost their start-up businesses.

Even for those students who do not win these University Business plan competitions, a coterie of venture capitalists scout through the business plan entries, eagerly seeking potential ventures to finance. Many big time corporations eventually spring up from these business plan competitions. Elsewhere, venture capitalists consider Universities the best place to find start-up companies that would be the 'Next big thing.'

But let's take a trip down to African Colleges and Universities. Are there any universities at all which are as supportive of student entrepreneurs as to organizing business plan competitions to fund businesses of students which have mega potential?

In the West, universities are eager to support student entrepreneurs in their campuses and even go out of their way looking for students with exceptional business ideas. Due to this kind of support, many big time corporations have sprung up from dormitory rooms in campuses from the United States. Apart from the fact that massive corporations are established, the schools where these ventures are established are instantly propelled to world fame.

Stanford University, for instance will forever occupy a pride of place among the list of the world's most elite Universities considering that companies like Yahoo and Google sprung up from there.

But how about Universities in Africa- Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria or Uganda? Where are you going to find venture capitalists in Kenya or elsewhere in Africa who will be willing to swallow their pride and listen to a student entrepreneur who is armed with nothing but a world-shaking idea? All the brightest ideas need not come from the West alone.

Truth is, many African students also have potential earth-shaking ideas-maybe even bigger than Google, Yahoo, Dell and Napster (all ventures begun by student entrepreneurs), but they are still waiting to see the light of day due to lack of capital. African entrepreneur students equally have business ideas that can grow into a big corporation, change the world and make lots of money.

A close friend of mine in Nigeria once had a crazy technology idea which needed only a few hundred thousand dollars to kick off with. Approaching banks and other so-called 'venture capitalists', he was snubbed extensively, discouraged and told to face his studies. Annoyed and frustrated, he eventually got a study abroad scholarship.

Within six months of staying in Canada, he secured the funding he needed, and as I write, his company's value is in the multi-million dollar range. As much as I know, his financiers have had an almost 200 per cent return on their investment in barely 12 months of operation.

We have such bright student entrepreneurs in Africa. But until African financiers and the self-proclaimed 'Venture capitalists' are easily accessible and listen to student entrepreneurs in our African Universities, Africa may never have its own answers to such mega, internationally famed corporations like Google, Yahoo, TicketAdvantage, CollegeHumor and Facebook which were all the brainchildren of student entrepreneurs.

We need financiers who will believe in and support the dreams of African student entrepreneurs and get those big ideas out of the boxes and into the pages of history. African student entrepreneurs are equally as smart, gifted and visionary and if supported can come up with big, world-changing ideas that would change the world.

And so, will the venture capitalists in Africa please stand up?

I'm Not Mad At Her

2008-05-12T10:37:00.002-04:00

A woman in South Africa proved to her estranged husband that he would regret not paying her alimony. And I am not mad at her method. It looks like her husband deserved this public shame!

Results Finally Released in Zimbabwe

2008-05-02T15:42:00.003-04:00

Zimbabwe has finally released the results of their presidential election. To no surprise, Morgan Tsvangirai won.

Unfortunately, he only won with 47.9% of the vote (to Mugabe's 43.2%), so there will have to be a runoff election. This is why since the elections, Mugabe has been arresting and abusing supporters of the opposition party so that they will not come out to vote in the runoff. Hopefully, the next round of elections will be peaceful and Zimbabwe can finally be freed from a 28 year old dictatorship.

Al Queda in Africa?

2008-05-02T15:21:00.003-04:00

Yes. Al Queda is in Africa. Somalia to be exact. And yesterday, the US attacked them and killed their leader.

Aden Hashi Ayro was trained by Afghanistan militants and was behind most of the violence in Mogadishu in an attempt to wipe out Ethiopian troops. Unfortunately, though Ayro is considered to be Al-Queda's leader in Somalia, they have such a strong following, that this is not expected to be a deterrence in their operations.

Hostility Hurts the Needy

2008-05-02T15:05:00.002-04:00

Humanitarian aid workers often find themselves torn in hostile situations, where the most needy are often the hardest to reach due to security issues. Yesterday, an aid worker with Save the Children was shot and killed when her convoy was attacked by gunman. Rebels often attack aid fleets in order to steal food, medication, and other supplies, making it difficult for aid workers to reach the most needy. As a result of this fatal attack, Save the Children has suspended their operations in Eastern Chad, indefinitely, and other aid organizations have suspended their operations there for two days. This a region overwhelmed with about 250,000 refugees from neighboring Darfur and over 100,000 displaced Chadians. Unfortunately, though the fatality of this attack was shocking, there have been at least 70 aid agency vehicles hijacked in Chad in the past two years, including the non-fatal shooting of a UNICEF worker.

I Couldn't Have Said It Better, Myself!

2008-05-01T16:00:00.003-04:00

I come from a family or farmers. For those who know me, this is definitely hard to believe considering, I am not the "agricultural" type. That's because I don't actually know how to farm, I just come from a family of them. Almost all of my family lives in Cameroon in a rural village and farms for a living. At least, they are supposed to. This is the dilemma. The new generation of children who are at the brink of their adult life do not want to be farmers. They have all moved into the city seeking jobs. But the problem is, there are none. So many of them have either completed school and have useless degrees or have dropped out of school in hopes of finding a job. Either way, they're almost all unemployed. I'm not sure who should take the blame for this issue, but I do know that if I grew up in an agricultural community and country without many job prospects, I would probably focus on farming.
Apparently, the King of Buganda, Kabaka Ronald Mutebi II, agrees with me! There is a great deal of idleness among youth in developing African nations, who move from their rural hometowns to the urban city centers, in search of jobs that don't exist. Once they realize they won't be getting employed anytime soon, they stay in the centers and usually turn to a life of idleness or crime.
I had a friend in Kampala, who realized the gold in the rural areas and hired workers to farm for him! It was a lazy, but smart move.
However, considering today's food crisis, the lack of farmers in predominantly agricultural societies is alarming. It makes no sense for countries with soil meant for growing, who were exploited by the West centuries ago, to be relying on the West to export items that they are equipped to grow themselves in abundance!
I think a healthy medium for youth uninterested in getting their hands dirty on the farm, would be for them to explore scientific ways to make farming easier.

The Holocaust Memorial Museum

2008-05-01T15:28:00.002-04:00

I can remember when I was in about 4th or 5th grade and visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum (HMM) in DC. Back then, it was strictly dedicated to the Jewish Holocaust and paid little if any mention to another genocides across the world.
About a month ago my co-workers went to a conference on the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and I was shocked to hear that it took place in the HMM. I was even more shocked when they gave me pamphlets with information about the genocide in Sudan and told me that there were exhibits dedicated to it. I was ecstatic to hear how the scope of the museum had grown.
Apparently, they have also grown to include a mapping program that allows visitors to track genocides across the world. I applaud the Holocaust Memorial Museum for changing the US' understanding of "holocaust" and educating others, especially the many children that visit. Holocausts include and surpass the atrocities experienced by the Jews in Germany and unfortunately, existed before then and continue to exist today.

Where Do The Children Go? Part 2

2008-04-29T16:46:00.003-04:00

In a previous post, I asked where African children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS and those abandoned go when extended families are unable to provide for them. Most countries to not have a formal child welfare system set up that facilitates fostering or adoption. As a result, there are a plethora of children relegated to street life.
I was made aware of this problem almost two years ago, while in Kampala. Today, governments are finally making strides to address the problem at hand, which has been intentionally and unquestionably ignored for years.
This article highlights a similar issue I witnessed at Sanyu Babies Home, where many infants are abandoned because they are born to young or poor mothers who are unable or unwilling to take care of them. More children than one might imagine are found abandoned on the side of the road or in pit latrines when they are less than a week old.
Luckily, there are babies' homes set up to care for them, but once they grow into toddlers, there are very few institutionalized structures set up to absorb the number of orphans and abandoned children in these regions.
This issue is compounding, especially since most children are being left without homes and families because of poverty and HIV/AIDS, two seemingly endless cycles.
For children who are able to be reunified with their families, Cameroon has set up rehabilitation and vocational training programs. However, there are thousands more who are abandoned and orphaned as infants and can not be reunified. In a growing world with shifting family structures and accepted responsibilities, it is time for African nations to address the needs of orphans and recognize that villages are no longer willing to raise children and extraneous options need to be considered and established.

Team Work Against China

2008-04-29T15:35:00.004-04:00

For some unexplainable reason, China thinks it's a good idea to ship arms to Zimbabwe- a country in the midst of a political conflict, where the president has made it clear that he will use force to sustain power. Thankfully, Zambia, Angola, and South Africa have prevented China from transporting arms to Zimbabwe.
Thank you Africa, for not allowing China to fuel an already brewing violent conflict!

Cooperation is the Only Option

2008-04-29T15:14:00.004-04:00

The opposition parties in Zimbabwe have realized that the only way to successfully oust Mugabe out of power is to cooperate and unite as one for the time being. Tsvangirai and Mutambara, Zimbabwe's opposition party leaders, have united to declare control over parliament and demand that Mugabe concede. Mugabe has relegated to imprisoning the opposition in an effort to maintain power for another 28 years, but I feel as though with the support of the international community and unification of the opposition parties, he will not succeed without bloodshed. Hopefully, he will not take it that far. In the past we've seen the need to virtually drive out other dictators who wouldn't give up their throne and this still led to bloodshed. Mugabe, please spare the lives of innocent citizens and step down!

African Idol

2008-04-29T13:40:00.005-04:00

I was recently made aware of the existence of "African Idol" through an article questioning why contestants had to sing Western songs to gain legitimacy on the song. I supported the authors critique, especially because I am a fan of various genres of African music and also find it nonsensical for Africans to not use the show as a platform to showcase their own talents.
Because I had never seen an episode of African Idol, I decided to youtube it, take a look at how the show was produced, and better understand the author's critique. I was more than surprised by what I saw. Take a look at the video!

As Simon would say, it was absolutely HORRID! I think we do better when we stick to our own songs. It sounds so sweet!

But I'll give props when it's due, this was a damn good rendition of "Faith"!

Respecting Your Roots- Rest in Peace Aimé Fernand David Césaire

2008-04-28T14:48:00.007-04:00

I can not claim to have created the intellect behind my quest to "Reinvent Africa" in the eyes of those who don't know her.

Aimé Fernand David Césaire was a writer and influential leader in the movement to "reinvent"the perception of Negroes throughout the world. At a time when colonialist and imperialist powers were still lauded for their control and exploitation over southern nations and people, Aimé Césaire used his words to denounce such beliefs.
I remember reading "Discourse on Colonialism" during my freshman year of college in my Introduction to African American history course. And though I did not immediately understand its significance, as I have grown and traveled, I have come to understand the impact on colonialism on the colonizers and colonized, as well as the need for Black people to free themselves from mental slavery. The quest of this blog is to facilitate and open and honest discourse about Africans and the Diaspora because as we've realized through the work of Césaire and other revolutionaries, colonialism did not only exist politically. Africans around the world were trapped mentally and came to believe that they were inferior to the colonizers. It is only through an open and honest examination of ourselves that we can strive to and achieve greatness, through what we experience in our communities.

Malaria, Still a Mighty Killer

2008-04-28T12:20:00.003-04:00

Is there a way to eradicate mosquitos? Because the wrath that they bring with the transmission of malaria is unmeasurable. Though malaria is virtually nonexistent in the US, it kills an African child every second. Can you believe that??? By the time you finish reading this post, hundreds of children will have died, due to malaria. The worst aspect of it all, is that this can all be prevented if people sleep under insecticide treated bed nets. They cost less than a dollar, but can't be afforded by those living in extreme poverty. For those of you who can afford to donate a net or the time to play a game and get a sponsor to donate one, please go to www.NothingButNets.net

Note: The game is kind of boring, so you can just click the link to "Deliver the Net"

Africans Do More Than Play Futbol

2008-04-28T12:07:00.002-04:00

As surprised as I am to see Africans participate in sports other than soccer, I was even more suprised to see them playing hockey! Especially since it's hard to find a Black person playing that sport, period. I guess I have even more reason, besides the Washington Capitals playoff run, to jump on the hockey bandwagon. After watching their final game, I realized it's a pretty fun sport; very fast and physical. Though, I still don't understand the fact that they're allowed to fight each other, I do appreciate the physicality. Sometimes I get frustrated with basketball when petty fouls are called. Sometimes you should just let the athletes play!
Okay, now I'm deviating from the point of this post. I think it's great that Africans are branching out to playing other sports. And hockey, especially, is a sport that children in all locales and socioeconomic conditions, can participate in through makeshift rinks, pucks, and sticks. I only see good wholesome fun coming out of this.

419ers

2008-04-19T11:02:00.000-04:00

My friends laugh when I rail on 419ers, but, honestly, this is not a good look.
I know a few people who have been fooled by some of these scams and though I sympathize with their naiveté, I am amazed by the cunningness of their perpetrators. They are netting millions of dollars and I wish that more Africans would use their intelligence to mastermind projects that benefit the development of their people as a whole. Though, I don't doubt most of these people are sending remittance back to their families in Nigeria, I can't help but imagine the type of world power Nigeria could be if these well thought out and calculated plans were directed towards national development. But now, the international community will probably be more skeptical about forming partnerships with Nigerians and other Africans since these scams have garnered the attention of the FBI and international law enforcement.

Do Not Shun the Oyibo

2008-04-18T10:54:00.002-04:00

I came across a very interesting article that gave the authors point of view on Cameroonians and other Africans who seek to establish relationships with "Oyibos" (white people). After the article, there reader comments published that made it even more interesting to read.
What I think needs to be pointed out is, besides relationships that some Africans seek to establish with Oyibos because they believe they will help them establish a better life, many Africans seek to establish relationships within Westerners in general.
I am stating this based on my own experiences in Africa as a Black woman. My Blackness did not deter some people from attempting to establish very superficial relationships with me on the basis of my Westernization. Almost everyday, a stranger would exchange email and other contact information with me after learning that I resided in the US. We shared nothing else in common and often, they did not even pay much attention to me during initial introductions, but once they heard my accent and learned that I lived in the US, they were suddenly interested in maintaining contact with me.
I dont doubt that some people were generally interested in learning about my culture, as I was traveling to learn more about there's. However, some were more forthright and honest with their approach and told me that they were interested in finding someone abroad to sponsor their education or their application for a visa to travel to the US. I never rejected the opportunity to exchange contact information with strangers because though there were some people who were not necessarily interested in establishing a friendship with me, there were many that were. And as a result, I have made quite a few friends abroad who were more than hospitable to me during return trips.
I say this all to say that I think it is unfair for the author to discourage Africans to pursue relationships with foreigners simply because they are white or Western. Relationships are usually mutual and those that are not are due to one parties, naiveté or exploitative nature, rather than their race. In the US, people are constantly giving their business cards to strangers in an effort to network and establish relationships that may be beneficial in the future. How is this any different?

Happy (Belated) Emancipation Proclamation!

2008-04-17T12:15:00.001-04:00

Apparently yesterday was a national holiday in observance of the Emancipation Proclamation. I didn’t get the day off, but many charter schools in DC were closed and a friend of mine who works for an African based organization said she had the option of taking the day off and many of her co-workers didn’t come in. I have never been and was not extended that option…I wonder why…
I mean, if you think about it, the Emancipation Proclamation should be a widely observed holiday, Veterans and Memorial Days are, so why not the day the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
Unarguably, enslaved Africans did more for the US than any soldier could claim. Not to minimize the importance of those who have served this country in anyway, but I think enslaved Africans served a more important cause. Not only did many of them fight in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, as well, but the built the country on their backs! Setting aside a day in remembrance is the least they could do!
So next year, I’ve resolved to take off on the Emancipation Proclamation. And somehow, I doubt my employer will challenge me on this one…

Hewa Bora Plane Crash in Goma

2008-04-15T16:34:00.002-04:00

Today, there was a plan crash in Goma, that has left almost eighty people dead, and counting.
It caused even more of a worry in my immediate life because two of my colleagues are currently on a humanitarian mission there. Luckily, they were on a day trip outside of Goma and returned in the evening to the chaos of people looking for their relatives lost in the crash.
Several of my other colleagues where not at all surprised by the situation because of the condition and location of the airport and drunken manner in which most of the pilots operate, when they themselves had flown Hewa Bora. When I suggested that we seek other methods of transport to and from Goma, they notified me that other than UN aircrafts this is the only available option.

Horses More Important Than People

2008-04-15T14:49:00.000-04:00

The recent displacement of tens of thousands of Chadians is completely despicable and unimaginable. After a failed coup attempt, residents were given 30 days to evacuate and over 2000 homes were destroyed.
The government stands by its word that the residents inhabited the land, unlawfully and it was needed to build a massive horse-racing track…
The government has not provided shelter for those it has made homeless and many are leaving next to their demolished property or have traveled to Northern Cameroon to join other refugees who fled during fighting in early February.

Rulers for Life- Mugabe

2008-04-15T14:14:00.002-04:00

Weeks after the presidential elections in Zimbabwe, Mugabe refuses to turn over power or reveal the percentage of votes he received. Tsvangirai has fled to Botswana for fear of his life.
The desire of African leaders to be rulers for life has convinced them to completely reject democracy and the will of the people. Even opposition parties, who develop the courage to speak against them are eventually silenced and fear for their lives and those of their supporters because they realize that these dictators care more about their personal power than the future of the nation.

A refugee who fled Zimbabwe with his family said his fellow countrymen had finally spoken, but warned that dark days lay ahead.
"If Tsvangirai becomes president Mugabe will mobilise war vets, the army, police, secret service and the militia to take revenge on the people who just want bread and freedom.
"On the other hand, if Mugabe rigs the elections in the next 21 days and imposes himself as president, people will fight back and lives will be lost," he said.

Are they Displaced the Only Ones Who Deserve Aid?

2008-04-15T10:58:00.004-04:00

Currently, there is conflict surrounding refugee and displaced people, where locals who are still fortunate to live in their homes, feel that those in camps are receiving better treatment than they are. Aid agencies often overlook the fact that though those that are living in camps are obviously unable to provide for themselves, due to their displacement, most likely those living in the communities surrounding the camps are struggling as well, but were fortunately located in areas that were not directly impacted by conflict, but they still lack basic needs.
Some community members feel so neglected that they often go to camps and pose as dwellers in order to receive the rations given to those who actually live there. Should this be viewed as theft, greed, or perhaps an unavoidable issue that needs to be addressed?

Kenya: Red Cross Complains of Fake Refugees

The East African Standard (Nairobi)

13 April 2008
Posted to the web 14 April 2008

Peter Mutai And Roselyn Obala
Nairobi

The Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary-General Mr Abbas Gullet says half of the 14, 000 people camping at Nakuru Showground are not genuine internally displaced persons.

Gullet said an estimated 7,000 people were taking advantage of the situation to get free food and other humanitarian assistance. He said the masqueraders wanted to use the opportunity to get compensation from the Government.

Speaking at the Nakuru DC's office on Saturday morning, Gullet said the alleged IDPs were only found at the camp during the day and retreated to stay with relatives at night.

Accompanied by a representative of the UNHCR, Mr Liz Ahua, they were received by senior DO 1, Mr Albert Mulita.

He called on the Government to look for ways of getting rid of the masqueraders. At the same time, Gullet said some militia groups have infiltrated the camp.

Separately, IDPs at Kakamega Police Station have expressed fears of disease outbreak due to adverse weather conditions.

Their spokesman, Mr Peter Munyiri, said more than 400 people at the camp have leaking tents.

Munyiri said the IDPs were being forced to sit all night due to the heavy rains. "Children are the worst affected and are prone to malaria and pneumonia," he said.

Uncharacteristic, But Welcomed Peace

2008-04-13T15:50:00.000-04:00

Today the Olympic torch had its only leg in Africa, visiting Tanzania. Uncharacteristically, for the torch and much of Africa, this was a peaceful and joyous day.
Though some well-known figures, such as Wangari Maathai of Kenya, pulled out of the race in protest of China, the torch relay was not marred with the same level of violence and protest witnessed in Paris and San Francisco.

Reflections on African Brain Gain Movement

2007-09-17T13:21:00.002-04:00

While doing some reading about the Brain Drain, I came across a scholars perception of the African Brain Gain. There is nothing especially enlightening about the scholar's position, but he describes his perception of this phenomenon so precisely, that I had to share it.

Reflections on African Brain Gain Movement
By Ebere Onwudiwe*

Brain drain implies the situation whereby some of the best and the brightest among citizens of Africa are leaving the continent for greener pastures in developed countries. Brain gain is said to occur when these “talented 10th” return to their home countries in Africa with their skills and talents.

I do not think that this conception of brain gain is correct. When a scientist, a doctor,a history professor leaves Africa, brain is drained, but when he returns, brain is not gained. It is replaced. When you replace what you lost, you have not gained. I believe that brain gain only occurs when you attract additional skills from other countries not when you replace skilled manpower that left to other countries.1 To gain is to advance, to add value, not to return to status quo ante. Yet, the conditions which are necessary for attracting skilled labor from other countries are necessarily the same conditions that are needed for a successful repatriation of skilled people lost to other countries, professions and sectors. I am sure that many people here are aware of these enabling conditions: paying salaries and working conditions commensurate with level of expertise including relocation expenses and laboratories; fostering a stable condition of peace and stability at home; ensuring a policy of meritocracy rather than nepotism under which people without skills are given jobs due to those that have them; investing in stable infrastructure including communications, electricity, roads, etc. There so many of these.

I believe that if Africa creates the right conditions, it can attract skilled people from other countries including its skilled children who left, and grand children born in other continents. That would constitute real brain gain.

Onwudiwe goes on to compare the plight of highly skilled and educated African immigrants to that of highly skilled and education African-Americans using W.E. DuBois' theory of the "Double Conscious".

But there is another tension which is not captured in the argument between African leaders and African intellectuals who emigrated. This second tension is the one happening in the heads of each of us Africans who are economic refugees in the United States. Many feel that they should be home rather than here. This fact is a living burden with which many African emigrants are dealing with at the personal level everyday.
Some say that this is a type of identity crises, the type of “double consciousness” that W.E. Du Bois made famous with respect to the African-American educated minority that he called the “talented tenth.” It is said that the inner torture of these African American intellectuals was the realization that their qualifications meant very little in a racist society. For the African emigrants to the United States, it is that their qualifications meant very little to their home countries. Both groups of intellectuals suffer an attendant sense of alienation and guilt.
The African knows that his expertise is more needed in his home country than in his
adopted country, but for some very personal reasons of personal survival and extended
family he knows that he is better-off staying here rather than returning home. This duality of loyalty for country and for family is the source of inner tension in the souls of all African intellectuals and professionals who live in this and other countries.

I see this internal struggling present throughout the lives of my family members who migrated over 20 years ago and have yet to return, some are even yet to visit. I think that the saddest part about of this is that this elite, highly educated and skilled class, is relegated to menial positions in Western society and that is where I see the "Double Consciousness" most strongly apparent. Many do not realize that their Blackness will become an impediment abroad and their differences are not valued or understood. Unfortunately, the menial living that they receive abroad is still more than the unemployment they face in their home countries even with advanced degrees and training.
This is where I face my moral dilemma. I am thrilled at the chance to be able to work in Africa and make a descent living, but it is not so much because of the schooling I've received, but where I've received it and my American citizenship. During my travels, I have met professionals who are more experienced and educated than I, but will never receive the same opportunities because of their nationality. It kills me to know that I can easily live and flourish in a land that is not my own and its own inhabitants struggle to live the same way as I on their own land and will never live as easily on my land as I do theirs.

Don't All Inner City Youth Face the Same Challenges?

2007-08-26T20:37:00.000-04:00

My mother and I have taken to sponsoring children in and out of our family who are struggling to pay school fees due to social ills that have trapped them in a life of dire poverty.
About a year ago, I considered making our personal service large scale and creating a program that would provide scholarships to children in conflict zones in Africa who are willing, but unable to attend secondary school because they can no longer pay their school fees. The children I was interested in targeting are those in Northern Uganda, who end up leading a life of vagrancy or joining the army because they see no other way to lead their lives. Discourse surrounding this issue usually characterizes these children as victims to their society and left with no other alternative. The Northern Ugandan region is filled with NGOs working frantically to rescue these youth from their wayward or dangerous lifesytles, so that they can be educated and possibly face a more promising future.
I put this project on hold, mostly because even though I still have a passion to helping impoverished children and youth, I have taken more of an interest in urban cities. And as I've explained with my experience with Tony, I empathize even more with children who are living in city centers, surrounded by affluence and opportunity, but are not afforded the opportunity to benefit from the development around them.
Since my return to the US, I have thought about the affinity I have grown towards helping urban slum youth and American NGOs, who flock overseas war torn regions, preventing youth from being conscripted into the army and rebel factions, and wonder why the same sentiments are not directed towards youth in American slums, who join gangs.
Youth gang members are almost always characterized as perpetrators of violence, victimizers, and more importantly terrorizers of their community. Encouraging them leave their lifestyle is a task usually relegated to former gang members. Other citizens are terrified of this group and wouldn't dare approach them, even on the grounds of reform.
I wonder, why the images of these two youth are seen so differently. They both kill, steal, and participate in violent acts in their community. They recruit other youth and reject most societal norms. But why are the African children viewed as helpless and conscripted into their lives of violence and left without other viable options for self-development, while American youth are viewed as willing terrorizers, who choose to follow lives of crime and dangers to society, who usually can't be saved?

Tony

2007-08-08T12:56:00.000-04:00

One of my goals for the trip was to identify a child to sponsor. The younger children at MYDEL attend a makeshift school that the center setup. It is a single room, holding about 100 children at a time from ages 4-14. There are usually no more than 3 teachers available to instruct, but the pupils usually all stay the same material at the same time. This benefits the younger children as some of them are reading beyond their age level. But the older children are severely lagging behind. Twelve and thirteen year olds struggle to comprehend The Cat inn the Hat. I realize a read need for these kids to immediately enroll in a school with small classes and where they’d be separated by age group. Unfortunately, I’m able to sponsor only one child, so I faced a lot of challenges in deciding who I would choose
1. Therfe were hundresds of students to choose from. Besides theyounger children, there are youth enrolled in high school are also struggling to pay their school fees. There are also university students who volunteer at the center and have also approached me to help them find a sponsor to complete their degree. The need in the community is extremely high.
2. I wanted to identify a child who would benefit the most from a sponsorship. Many of the children have been out of school for years and re-entering into a formal education setting would not be beneficial. For example, a 13 year old who hadn’t been in school since the 3rd grade would find it extremely difficult to re-enter school and would most likely be unable to succeed in the 7th or 8th grade and would most definitely feel uncomfortable and perhaps a bit discouraged schooling with an 8 year old.
3. I needed to identify a child who was actually excited about learning and wanted to go to school. Sadly, some of the children only came to the center because it was something to do, they are fed breakfast, and their friends would be there. But while they were in class, they were extremely disruptive, uninterested in class material and clearly had no desire to be there.
I felt that the best way for me to identify the best pupil was to have impromptu interviews and perform assessments. I did all of this without the students being aware of my intentions because I wanted to get as accurate an understanding of them as possible.
I sat in on class one day and watched the children at work. Immediately, five stood out to me. They were extremely eager to learn and understand. They encouraged their classmates and even explained material to them that they couldn’t understand. After observing them for a few hours, I took time to speak to them individually about their lives, when they were last in school, etc. I also wrote a couple of stories and had them read and write to me in order to gauge their reading levels. Disappointedly, I realized that a couple of the students had the desire to learn, but were extremely far behind their age group because they hadn’t been in school for years.
Ultimately, I identified one young boy, Tony. He is nine, but hasn’t been in school since 2005. However, because of his tenacity to learn he has been able to stay on track in terms of reading and doesn’t seem to be far behind. Both of his parents are dead and he lives with his grandmother. The rest of his brothers and sisters are living with other family members. Besides his intellectual capacity, Tony stood out to me because of his discipline and overwhelming respect for authority and elders. Even when school is not in session and the children are enjoying their free time, Tony is extremely focused and holds himselfin an extremely esteemed manner. My next task is to find a school that is close to his home, but will offer quality education. Uganda has Universal Primary Education, however the quality of some government schools is not all that good. If I find a private boarding school that I can afford, that would be my best option.

Breakthrough

2007-08-07T12:54:00.000-04:00

This week, I made major moves in my research. I randomly met the chairman of the Kampala Central Division on Wednesday. He asked me about my research and offered to link me with government officials, who would be able to provide me with the information that I have been looking for. This was a welcomed surprise because I had visited several offices numerous times and either I was unable to locate those that I needed to speak to, or when I did locate someone they were too busy to help me find the information I needed. It was just my luck to run into their boss and he was more than willing to help.
On Friday, I met him in his office and he called several of the officials that I was unsuccessful in locating or soliciting help from. One by one they came into his office and he instructed them to help me in anyway they good. It was surreal. In some ways I felt bad because I am sure that some of them were not too thrilled by the fact that I was able to go above their heads and have them ordered to help me, but this research game is a hustle, so I had to find a way to get what I needed.
Because of his help, on Monday I met with the Education Officer at the Kampala City Council, where I was furnished with primary public and private school enrollment numbers for several years. And on Wednesday the Kampala Central Division Education Officer is taking me to primary schools to speak with the headmasters and mistresses about the challenges they’ve faced since the inception of Universal Primary Education. At the end of the week I am doing home visits in Mengo, the slum area where many children at not enrolled in school. I have spoken to education officers about the challenges they’ve faced with UPE, but I am sure that headmasters and families will have a different perspective about the benefit and shortcomings of UPE.

No Paparazzi Allowed

2007-08-05T13:07:00.001-04:00

Last night, I went out to a club in Ntinda. I’ve always enjoyed the nightlife in Kampala because the music is a mix of hits from all over the world. No matter which region it comes from, the deejays just want to play good music. This night, the dj was particularly on point as he played music from West Africa that made me feel at home in so many ways. An artist named Priscilla even came out and did a surprise performance. Her songs were really good and she could really dance! In the states we’re often amazed at Ciara’s talent and the control she has over her body when she dances, but I’ve seen so many artist here who would kill Ciara in a dance off. One girl in particular, named Aisha, at MYDEL has so much talent, I wish she had the avenues to become a wider known entertainer…
But back to my night out, I had a fabulous time! Another thing that surprised me about Priscilla’s performance was that though she was a well-known performer, the crowd wasn’t fazed by her presence. They enjoyed her performance, but they were no where near as star struck as Americans are when celebrities are around. She performed right on the dance floor of the club and once she was done she continued dancing in the club with the other patrons. She was treated and regarded as any other person in the club.
Towards the end of the night I decided to take pictures of the group. My friend had already told me that cameras are not allowed in the club, but I had a big pocket book and was able to smuggle it in. But in the midst of my photo shoot, I was stopped by a bouncer and told I couldn’t’ take anymore pictures. He wanted me to delete the ones I had already taken, but I quickly put my camera away and assured him that I wouldn’t take anymore.
I asked my friends why people weren’t allowed to take pics in clubs and they said that some people don’t want others to know that they go to clubs. Kampala is a fairly liberal city, but there are still some groups who are very traditional and believe that drinking and dancing is sacrilegious. Even though it is against their beliefs many people still sneak off to clubs and bars, sinfully. Funny enough, tabloids in the region seek to expose members of the community who claim to be righteous, but are out and about town drinking and dirty dancing. For this reason, clubs try to protect their patrons by banning cameras.

Luxurious

2007-08-04T12:41:00.001-04:00

Today, I got the French manicure an dpedicure ever for $1.20. TOTAL! The nail technician was amazing and more meticulous with each nail than I have ever experienced. I wish there was a way I could bring him back with me. It’s instances like this that heighten my desire to live here. If you have enough money (which is average in US terms) you can live extremely comfortably here. At my friend’s house, we have a housekeeper who comes every morning to clean the house and do laundry. She is paid $60/month. I f I am able to become employed by a US organization, I will move here in a heartbeat.

New Kampala

2007-08-02T11:06:00.000-04:00

Since Ive been here in Kampala, I have continued to see similarities with New York City.
For one, people are fairly rude in the streets, considering it’s an African society. As I walk through the streets people constantly stare, but don’t bother to greet you. This is definitely a New York City trait. Initially, I thought it was because they could tell I wasn’t from there, but then I realized that it was just their nature to observe people, but not bother to greet them. Even though I am American, and considered by other nationals to come from a rude society, I was bred in semi-southern hospitality. In my metropolitan area, it is courteous to greet and say hello to people you don’t know, especially if you catch them staring at you. It is not looked upon as odd to greet a stranger and you’ll even have strangers walk up to you and inquire about your day or ask if you’re alright if you don’t look kind enough in the face. So being who I am, whenever I catch someone staring at me, I smile or say hello, and I am greeted with an even blanker expression…
Another aspect of life in Kampala that immediately reminded me of New York is that immense traffic in the streets. The city is extremely overpopulated and streets are crowded at all times of the day. Pedestrians, cars, and motorbikes all fight to get through and no one is willing to give the other way. Instead of the streets being flooded with yellow cabs, they are filled with white minivan taxi buses. And just like in New York, automobiles do not respect pedestrians and will run you over. Taxi and motorbike drivers are constantly honking and cursing people out for walking on the streets, sometimes even the sidewalks. However, what’s even worse here is that there are no traffic signals so pedestrians are NEVER given the right of way and it’s every man for himself. I will never get used to crossing these streets and I’m constantly afraid of losing my life or a limb.
Kampala is also full of street vendors. You can buy almost everything on the streets and the nature of bargaining is similar to that of New York. If the vendor can tell that you’re not from the area, be prepared to pay an arm and a leg for everything. Certain locations also cater to certain goods. Wandegeya has the best and lowest priced braiders, while Owino is known for the amazing food market, and Nakasero has an immense collection of cloths and materials in every imaginable style for sewing.
Another aspect of Kampala life that is rampant and saddening is the amount of homeless people and beggars on the streets. On almost every street corner and in the main transportation centers, you find people peddling for money. They are so many of them, that they are largely overlooked.
Lastly, the night life here is amazing. Clubs and bars don’t close and they are everywhere. As in New York, spots in the deepest parts of the city are very overpriced and try extra hard to be exclusive, while the local spots are easier on the pockets, you feel most comfortable in, and you’re usually guaranteed to have a good time. But deejays are amazing and really take their jobs seriously.
I think that I couldn’t live in the center of Kampala for the same reasons that I couldn’t live in Manhattan. Life is entirely to hectic, loud, and fast paced for me. I appreciate being able to retreat to my borough, called Ntinda, and escape from it all.

Half-Way There

2007-08-01T10:56:00.000-04:00

I can’t believe it’s already August. I don’t feel like the last two weeks has flown by, but 2007 in general is disappearing. It’s quite frightening because in the next few months I have so much to accomplish; much of it contingent on what I complete here.
Yesterday I took a semi-break from everything: research and volunteering. I woke up with all intentions of going back to the Ministry of Finance Library to continue reading, but once I got to the junction where I’d catch the bus there, something led me to my friend’s store instead. Once I got there, I chatted a bit with the people there and I became completely unmotivated to head into town.
Nonetheless, my day was still fairly productive because I read documents that I had previously downloaded onto my laptop and I began writing my literature review and drafting an outline for my thesis. This time off was helpful because I thought of some more avenues which I got explore in order to get the information I need. Next week I will definitely need to visit the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Economic Policy Research Center, and Transparency International’s Uganda Office. I found that beginning the writing process really helped me identify crucial information that I’m missing.
I also like spending time at the store because this is when I get to freely interact with Ugandans. While I’m traveling throughout the city I come into contact with people, but interaction is extremely formal and limited. At the store, people ask me whatever is on their minds and I am free to do the same as well.
For example, I have realized how much of an impact that American media has on not only American citizens, but the outside world as well. For leisure and entertainment, Ugandans prefer watching American movies and television shows on DVD as well as Nigerian movies (which I will tell you more about later). I knew that several American shows were syndicated internationally, but I was shocked to see the number of American shows that were watched here. They are not shown on television, but the local DVD rental shops all have pirated copies of the most popular movies and television shows. (Piracy is not at all regulated here.) Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, 24, Prison Break, Law and Order: SVU, the OC, and almost any other popular tv show you can think of. Also action movies are very popular among citizens, so much so that there are DVDs with about 5 or 6 compressed films of famous action stars like Bruce Willis, Jean Claude Van Dam, Steven Segal, the James Bond series, and others.
Ugandans enjoy watching these films and tv shows during the evening hours after work, but I noticed that the impressions they have left in citizen’s minds about US life is a bit disturbing. I have been asked on several instances if I own a gun. And each time I am taken aback by the question because I in no way evoke thuggery or violence in my demeanor. However, they mention the fact that in many movies and shows you find common and seemingly normal people committing heinous crimes. And when I really considered this perception, I found it to be true in a sense. Much of American tv is littered with random violence, but Americans often realize the drama associated with television and don’t take it for face value. But as a foreigner, I can see how one should assume that what is depicted is a reflection of that society.
What I wish was depicted more was the inequality in American society. Most people do not believe me when I try to explain how poor some Americans are. It’s true that what I’ve seen in the slums and ghettos here is worse than anything I’ve ever seen in ghettos in the US, however, many people I’ve come into contact with do not even believe that extreme poverty exists in the US. They do not believe that people live without electricity, struggle to find a meal, or only survive because of government subsistence. I wish that some of these images and realities where broadcast more and made as widely available as the comfortable and posh living depicted in the OC and Desperate Housewives.
The only problem with that is that shows that do show the realities of poverty and struggling are usually filled with violence. Imagine if The Wire were shown here. I think all of my friends would be afraid to visit me since I live in Maryland. I also think they’d assume that every young Black male they met had a gun and would use it vicariously. So I guess in this instance it’s a Catch 22. When will more socially conscious, yet wholesome shows of the 70s like Good Times and The Jefferson’s return?