AfricaNewsCloud

Under-explored European day trips

Africa News Cloud — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:32:31 +0000

For those with the time and inclination to take the road less travelled, these three lesser-known gems are just a short distance from their more famous siblings.

Talk point: on its 50th birthday, what does the African Union mean to you?

Maeve Shearlaw, Adaobi Ifeachor Maeve Shearlaw, Adaobi Ifeachor — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:27:06 +0000

As leaders celebrate 50 years of the African Union, we want your thoughts on what’s next for the continentAfrican leaders travel to Addis Ababa this week to celebrate 50 years of the African Union. The AU website promises the anniversary willfacilitate and celebrate African narratives of past, present and future that will enthuse and energise the African population and use their constructive energy to accelerate a forward looking agenda of pan-Africanism and renaissance.We want to hear your thoughts on the milestone. Is 50 years of the AU a cause for celebration? What will shape the continent over the next 50 years?Since its inception as the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, the union has helped to mobilise opinion against colonialism, and resolve conflicts and disputes in the continent, but challenges lie ahead. The AU relies heavily on external sources for funding, raising concerns about autonomy and African ownership, and there are questions about its leadership. Is Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja right when he argues on the Poverty matters blog that the concentration of authoritarian rulers in member states means the “AU is ill-equipped to meet people’s aspirations for democracy and social progress”?The funding outlook has changed significantly over the past half-century and will affect development efforts. The African diaspora send more money home to their families than overseas development assistance from western aid donors. China has emerged as a key donor, spending billions in Africa. There’s increasing recognition that tax revenues are critical to allowing countries to become independent from aid.What about the next 50 years? Six of the top 10 fastest growing economies are in sub-Sarahan Africa (pdf), but the poorest members of society are not always benefiting from rapid economic transformation. Africa is home to 200 million people between the age of 15 and 24, and according to last year’s African Economic Outlook (pdf) this figure is set to double by 2045. Is the continent sitting on a ticking time bomb of youth unemployment?And what about pan-Africanism? What does pan-Africanism mean in 2013? Will it survive until 2063? Born out of the anti-slavery movement, pan-Africanism has evolved into a social and cultural philosophy that encourages the solidarity of Africans worldwide. What does it mean to you? Africa’s population is more than 1 billion. Does this make pan-Africanism more important than ever? Or an unrealistic dream?The movement encourages members of the African diaspora to be culturally and historically aware of their origins. But, if you have never lived on the continent, how can you do that effectively? Is it down to parents to teach their children an African language and about culture? Should schools offer a broader curriculum, including African language, music, art and history?Should the AU do more to encourage members of the diaspora to “return home”? And if so, can member states make it easier for people of African descent to visit, immigrate or set up businesses?Post your comments in the thread below or add to the debate on Twitter @Gdndevelopment. If you have any problems posting, or would prefer to comment anonymously, email us at development@guardian.co.uk and we’ll add your views to the thread.GovernanceAfrican UnionAfricaMaeve ShearlawAdaobi Ifeachorguardian.co.uk © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Kariba Dispossessed Still Waiting for Promised Better Life

Garikai Chaunza Garikai Chaunza — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:26:42 +0000

Madam Siankusulu complains of poor harvests Fifty seven thousand people were displaced on the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides of the Zambezi River to make way for the construction of the Kariba hydroelectric dam.

Almost six decade later, they are still to be compensated for being moved from their homes.

Kenya police kill "terror couple" Police shot dead a couple suspected …

Africa News Cloud — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:24:58 +0000

Police shot dead a couple suspected to be terrorists after they threw four grenades, wounding five officers in an overnight stand-off, a police official said Sunday.

Govt dismayed by Kleinfontein

Africa News Cloud — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:21:35 +0000

The government expressed dismay at reports that residents of a settlement on the farm Kleinfontein in Pretoria would only allow Afrikaners to live there.

More Fighting in DRC City Ahead of Ban’s Arrival

VOA News VOA News — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:19:16 +0000

Rebels and army troops have clashed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a day before U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is due to arrive in the area.

Wednesday’s fighting outside the city of Goma marks the third straight day of clashes between the Congolese army and rebel group M23.

Witnesses say an artillery round landed in Goma’s Ndosho neighborhood, killing one person and injuring three others. There was no indication which side launched the round.

Ban arrived in the …

$1bn aid for DR Congo and neighbours

Africa News Cloud — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:18:22 +0000

The World Bank unveils a $1bn (£660m) aid package to help DR Congo and its neighbours, as fighting continues near the eastern city of Goma.

Africa: Celebrating Panafricanism Through Artistic Expression

Africa News Cloud — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:14:42 +0000

[ECA]Addis Ababa -As part of the ongoing series of events to celebrate 50 years of Panafricanism, the African Aesthetic Exhibition will be hosted at the Addis Ababa University Institute of Ethiopian Studies Museum this week from May 24-31. The exhibition has a number of key collaborators, including the UN Economic Commission for Africa. Images from the ECA’s historical vaults will be featured.

SA’s Africa Day Awareness Lagging Behind

Siphosethu Stuurman Siphosethu Stuurman — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:13:16 +0000

South Africa is a country rich in culture and diversity but its awareness of Africa Day awareness seems to be lagging behind. As the continent prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity on Africa Day, 25th of May, IPS Africa saw fit to speak to ordinary South Africans to hear how they plan to celebrate this important day.

However the responses we received were rather disappointing.
Africa Day is an annual commemoration of the historic 1963 meeting of leaders of 32 independent African states to form the OAU, now simply known as African Union (AU).

Sony Mobile appoints channel marketing manager

Africa News Cloud — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:10:00 +0000

Sony Mobile Communications (Sony Mobile) has appointed Andrew Fraser as its new channel marketing manager for SA.
Formerly the brand manager…