‘We don’t know who really won in the Congo’

January 6, 2012

Patricia Kisare provides analysis on the November elections in Congo.

W don’t really know who won the presidency, because there are many indications that the electoral process was flawed. Local and international election observers found the elections to be fraught with widespread irregularities. The Carter Center reported that “the quality and integrity of the vote tabulation process has varied across the country, ranging from the proper application of procedures to serious irregularities, including the loss of nearly 2,000 polling station results in Kinshasa.”

Read the article here.

Leave a Comment » | Africa, Articles, Issues | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by jesseeppfransen

Land stolen from the poor

January 4, 2012

Patricia Kisare writes about the increasing problem of land grabs in the latest issue of Mennonite Weekly Review. Large purchases of agricultural land, often in Africa, by international corporations leads to economic and environmental degradation.

Dubbed “land grabbing,” this trend is a stark reminder of colonial-era practices when poor countries’ natural resources were controlled by foreigners and a few local elites. Not surprisingly, conditions under which most of these land deals are being pursued are extremely poor and lack transparency.

A growing number of reports have shown that these large-scale land acquisitions promote an unsustainable form of agriculture and are not a solution to the serious food crisis with which we are faced.

Read the article online here and let us know what you think in the comment section or on twitter or facebook.

Leave a Comment » | Africa, Global Economic Justice, Issues | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by jesseeppfransen

Field of Hope

September 1, 2011

From Aljazeera. 

In Kasika, eastern Congo, women load new tools supplied by MCC and head home to begin preparing their fields. (MCC Photo/Tim Lind).

In the midst of despair, one woman’s courageous effort to help DR Congo’s rape survivors. This heartbreaking story will also leave you inspired. I hope it inspires you to advocate for Congolese women.

Click here to see the video.

Leave a Comment » | Africa, Issues, News Stories | Permalink
Posted by Patricia Kisare

Soldiers tell of Zimbabwe diamond field massacre

August 9, 2011

From BBC News:

The massacre investigated by the BBC took place in late October 2008 when Zimbabwe was in the depths of economic crisis. Thousands of civilians had flocked to the diamond fields in the hope of finding gems.

“Without orders from the top this would not have been possible,” said a military officer who was directly involved in Operation Hakudzokwe.

President Robert Mugabe is Commander in Chief of Zimbabwe’s military.

Click here to read more.

Leave a Comment » | Africa, Issues | Permalink
Posted by Patricia Kisare

No Place to Call Home

May 6, 2011

Patricia Kisare reflects on her trip to the DRC for Third Way Cafe:

Under international human rights and humanitarian law, the Congolese government is ultimately responsible for protecting its population and finding solutions to the widespread displacement in eastern Congo. However, the continued presence of armed groups, ongoing military operations against armed groups by the government, and reprisal attacks against the population by rebel groups cause many to flee their homes—prolonging the cycle of displacement.

Read more.

Leave a Comment » | Africa, Articles | Permalink
Posted by Patricia Kisare

California takes decisive step against Congo’s conflict minerals

April 29, 2011

From the Christian Science Monitor:

A committee of the California State Senate passed a bill Tuesday that will curb the use of conflict minerals from Congo. The unanimous, bipartisan vote in the Governmental Organization Committee is an important first step to making California the first conflict-free state.

If it passes the full assembly, the bill would prohibit the state government from contracting with companies that fail to comply with federal regulations on conflict minerals.

Read More

Leave a Comment » | Africa, Legislative Updates, News Stories | Permalink
Posted by Patricia Kisare

When Elephants Fight

April 25, 2011

Ebuka Mefor writes about the situation in Ivory Coast for Third Way Cafe:

Ivorians and many others on the continent are afraid and tired of civil wars. In Ivory Coast, one million people have been displaced due to the recent conflict.

In the book of Romans we are instructed “to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Our empathy for others should also include working for peace, as Romans 12:21 says: “do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

With the removal of Gbagbo, Ouattara has taken the position of president.  It is yet to be seen what this means for the average Ivorian. The need for lasting peace, justice and prosperity has never been greater.

Click here to read more.

Leave a Comment » | Africa, Articles | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by Sarah Birkebak

« Previous Entries
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 35 other followers