Tag Archives: Africa Action

Apr 01, 2010

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Conference on Zimbabwe: Dare to Shape the Future (April 15-16, 2010)

Dare to Shape the Future:
April 15-16, 2010
Washington DC Kellogg Conference Hotel
800 Florida Ave N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-3695
April 15-16, 2010

Despite continuing tensions, Zimbabwe’s year long Inclusive Government has resulted in significant economic and political changes giving great relief to long suffering Zimbabweans. Considerable as these changes are, a lot remains to be done for Zimbabwe to fully transition to a peaceful and democratic order, particularly in terms of critical political reforms and national healing. In addition, to institutionalize irreversible political reforms, key questions must be addressed in relation to how Zimbabwe’s economy long ravaged by Structural Adjustment Programs and corruption, among other factors, can be reconstructed in the interest of ordinary people.

The conference theme, ‘Dare to Shape the Future’ emphasizes thinking outside the box and encourages participants to creatively imagine and help construct a different future for Zimbabwe, moving away from destructive polarization and conflict to justice, healing and reconciliation. And from repression, exploitation and poverty to freedom, equity and development. The conference will take place within the context of the yearlong existence of the Inclusive Government in Zimbabwe and will coincide with Zimbabwe’s 30th independence anniversary. In line with the theme of daring to shape the future – the conference will pioneer a culture of inclusive dialogue among a diverse range of stakeholders of different opinions and political stripes to help forge a new culture of tolerance. Speakers from Zimbabwe will help bring a better understanding of civil society struggles on the ground and how the solidarity community can help and will help shape people centered U.S. policies at a crucial time in Zimbabwe’s history.

Read More here:
http://www.africaaction.org/conference-home.html

Dec 10, 2009

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Jennifer Davis awarded OR Tambo order by South Africa

South African Government to Recognize and Award Africa Action’s Jennifer Davis

Today as we celebrate Human Rights Day, Africa Action commemorates December 10th by honoring a former leader’s worthy legacy and imagining the future potential through action!

Jennifer Davis, Executive Director of Africa Action’s predecessor organizations is set to receive one of South Africa’s highest honors, the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo. This is awarded to foreign nationals (Heads of State and Government) and other foreign dignitaries. It will be presented to Jennifer Davis tomorrow in Pretoria, South Africa for her contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle, the field of education and commitment to human rights.

Read the rest at Africa Action

About the Photo: Jennifer Davis, Executive Director of the American Committee on Africa and The Africa Fund, and ANC President Oliver R. Tambo. On January 23, 1987 the American Committee on Africa and The Africa Fund hosted a reception in New York honoring President Tambo. At the reception The Africa Fund presented President Tambo with a check for more than $100,000 from money raised from the anti-apartheid album “Sun City”. The funds were to support ANC educational, cultural and other project for South African refugees. Used by permission of David Vita.

From African Activist Archive:
http://africanactivist.msu.edu/image.php?objectid=591

May 05, 2009

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Zimbabwe: Human Rights Defenders Under Attack – Act Now!

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people”.
—Martin Luther King Jr.

Dear Friends,

Today the government of Zimbabwe rearrested Jestina Mukoko and 15 others on trumped up charges of “banditry, terrorism and insurgency”. The arrest follows the appearance of Jestina and her comrades before a Harare Magistrate at which they were formally indicted remanded in custody.

We cannot be silent in the face of this outrageous attack on human rights defenders. The only crime committed by Jestina Mukoko, a long time civic leader in Zimbabwe and her co-accused is standing up against tyranny in Zimbabwe and speaking out in defense of human rights and democracy. As Martin taught us, it takes the silence of good people for abuses of this nature to persist. We call upon people of good conscience all over the world to add your voice in calling for the unconditional release of Jestina Mukoko and her comrades. Zimbabwe’s compromised courts cannot be trusted to deliver justice to activists who have been targeted and victimized for their principled stand on human rights and democracy. There is no chance for these activists getting a fair trial under the unreconstructed judicial system in Zimbabwe.

State agents abducted Jestina and others back in October last year and they suffered torture and abuse in secret detention. Following loud protests from activists in Zimbabwe and around the world, Jestina and others surfaced form secret detention only to be released to the notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison where they were held for two more months and only released on bail as part of a political deal by parties to Zimbabwe’s new inclusive government. The re-arresting of Jestina Mukoko and other activists is a shame to the new inclusive government in Zimbabwe.

We call upon you to raise your voices again in support of these human rights defenders by taking the following actions:

1. Call the Zimbabwe Embassy to the U.S.*: Phone number (+1 202 332-7100) and register your protest at the detention and ill-treatment of these human rights defenders and demand their immediate release.

2. Write to President Obama– and ask him to pressure the Zimbabwe government to release Jestina Mukoko and her fellow activists

Click here to send a message to President Obama.

Reports of horrible conditions and abuse in Zimbabwe’s prisons are rampant we therefore must act with speed to secure the release of these human rights defenders.

Please act now!

In solidarity,
Staff @ Africa Action

Dec 01, 2008

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Helping the people of Zimbabwe

Understanding the Zimbabwean crises or acting on it, is only part of the story. Meanwhile, people lack access to basic necessities: medicines, health services and food.

Here’s some ideas how you can help (via Imani Countess of TransAfrica Forum).

The UN World Food Program
“Not only are they the major distributor of food in the region, but they are obligated to respect recipient country requests regarding non-GMO seeds and grains.” You can donate online to the WFP and you can designate Southern Africa.

Zimbabwe Solidarity Fund
Hosted by Africa Action, and supported by the San Francisco Bay Area Priority Africa Network and TransAfrica Forum. 100% of money raised on this campaign will go to supporting civil society in Zimbabwe. Proceeds from this fund are “disbursed in Zimbabwe and accounted for by a Zimbabwe-based committee that includes representatives of Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions , Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition , and the Zimbabwe National Students Union — organizations courageously at the forefront of advancing democracy in Zimbabwe under the most difficult conditions and fully deserving of our support.” There are no administrative costs and the funds are used to support the victims of violence. Donate here.

USAID
USAID contributes large amounts of food aid to Zimbabwe. Imani suggests writing your US Member of Congress to encourage USAID to increase its donation to the WFP.